When the culture is unhealthy, the nation will steadily move into chaos and extinction, but this year’s edition of Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA)’s Cultural Day shows that the Nigerian culture remains robust, unshaken, healthy, and worth celebrating.
For the Cultural Day, both Nigerians and non-Nigerians dressed to represent the Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, Ijaw, Urhobo, Efik, and other Nigerian cultures.
From Fila Abeti Aja to Okpu-Agu Hat and Hula, all dressed for the occasion and fully represented and showcased the diversity of Nigeria.
The AMVCAs remain the most prestigious celebration of African film and television, honouring remarkable contributions to storytelling and artistic expression across the continent. The Cultural Day, one of the most anticipated events in the AMVCA lineup, serves as a vibrant platform to showcase Africa’s rich heritage, indigenous fashion, music, and creative expression.
The Cultural Day spotlights the creativity, passion, and innovation that define African fashion, music, film, and artistry. It is a dazzling showcase of African excellence, where the brightest talents come together to honor the creative spirit that transcends borders.
Speaking on the red carpet of the event, Nollywood actor Deyemi Okanlawon said: “I am a Yoruba to the core, and I always represent myself first as a Yoruba man, and as a Nigerian man, and as an African man. I always show up at international events in African attire. We still have a healthy culture; people forget that Nigeria is not limited to Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt. Our culture is still intact.”
Executive Head, Content and West Africa Channels, MultiChoice, Dr. Busola Tejumola, said: “We do not just celebrate fashion or film; we celebrate our identity, our story, and our spirit.
“This Culture Day celebrates a rebirth, not just of tradition, but of how we see ourselves, how we honour our ancestry, and how we pass down our values through art.
“What began as a celebration of African film excellence has now evolved into a vital cultural movement, a canvas where Africa proudly paints her colours, textures, and voices.”
She added: “For us at MultiChoice, Africa Magic, the AMVCAs is a platform through which we see ourselves not only as storytellers, but as custodians of culture. Every story told, every performance honoured, every look worn by each one of us tonight is an act of preservation, a declaration that our heritage matters.
“In a world constantly shifting, our stories help us stay grounded and help others understand us better.
“The film industry is our living archive, where dialects, festivals, beliefs, and traditions are not just documented, but brought to life.
“It is through the lens of film that we’ve explored the Igbo cosmology, the Zulu dance of strength, the Maasai’s grace, the Yoruba and Twi’s rhythm, the Hausa’s elegance, and the Ndebele’s colour.
“Our cinema is where folklore meets future, where ancient rhythms meet modern voices, ensuring that the drumbeats of our past echo loudly in generations to come.
“While our fabrics, languages, and rhythms may vary, our roots run deep together. Whether in Ghana or Kenya, Nigeria or South Africa, the themes of community, honour, resilience, and celebration thread through our stories.
“As we wear our different attires, we are reminded that Africa is not fragmented; it is woven together by our shared values and our love for expressive storytelling.
“Let this Culture Day reignite our passion to keep telling African stories – not just for ourselves, but for the world.
“Let us continue challenging stereotypes, preserving our dialects, and showcasing African brilliance through every frame, every line, every heartbeat of our content.”
Also speaking, Executive Head of Marketing West Africa, MultiChoice Nigeria, Tope Oshunkeye, said: “It’s great that the AMVCA is celebrating the 12th anniversary and the partners have always been with us. We are a truly African brand and we are celebrating Africa, so it makes sense to have a day where we all come out in different colours and traditions to celebrate a year in film, television, AMVCA, and movies.
“We always look forward to the display and a good night.”
