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From Nollywood to the Navy: Grace Bassey, Former Nollywood Actress,Joins the U.S Navy.

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On Monday, Grace Bassey, who you might remember as Nollywood actress Belinda Effah, surprised everyone with big news on Instagram. She shared that she joined the U.S. Navy, became a U.S. citizen, and just graduated from Navy Boot Camp!

In her own words:

“First, all glory to God. Last week, I graduated from the U.S. Navy Boot Camp as a sailor and took the oath as a citizen of the United States.”

Nigeria Raised Her. 

grace bassey

Born and raised in Nigeria, Grace first came to prominence through Nollywood, Nigeria’s thriving film industry. Her performances captured the hearts of many as she featured in popular Nollywood productions  like Tinsel, Bambitious, Shallow waters and a lot more. 

Read Also: Xclusivstars Fashion Roundup: Top 5 Celeb Looks of the Week  

However, her dreams extended beyond acting. She moved to the United States and began pursuing her dream of becoming a sailor. She had to enlist in the U.S. Navy. She summed it up in her post: ‘Nigeria raised me. America challenged me. I stand today stronger and more determined than ever.’

Becoming a sailor was not just a dream- it was carrying on a legacy. In her words “ In honor of my late father– Naval CDR Asido Bassey Effah”. 

 She did not do it just for herself. Grace decided to step into the shoes of her late father, this time on international soil. 

 Leaving behind a successful acting career to embrace the rigors of boot camp requires extraordinary courage. From memorizing scripts to learning drills, the transition demanded mental strength, physical endurance, and an unwavering belief in her purpose.

 

Conclusion.

grace bassey

Whether she continues in the Navy, explores public service, or even returns to the arts, one thing is clear: Grace Bassey is a force to be reckoned with. A woman of faith, courage, and deep conviction, she’s shown us all that you can change paths without losing direction.

To Grace Charis Bassey, congratulations.

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Priscilla On Growing Up Without Her Dad, Building Her Own Name, Her Wedding and Life as a New Mom

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Photo: Instagram

In a sit-down with media personality Chude Jideonwo, Priscilla Ojo Mkampala talked about growing up without her father, building her own name and what life looks like now as a wife and mother.

On Her Mother and Growing Up Without a Father

Growing up without a father could have affected her, but Priscilla said she never felt it. “She played both roles very well. She would come to our schools. She would attend PTA meetings. I didn’t feel like there was maybe a father figure missing.”

When Chude asked about her parents, she did not say much. “They fell out of love.” Neither parent ever spoke badly about the other, she said. Still, one private conversation with her mother hit her hard. “That day I was literally crying.”

Photo: Instagram

On Building Her Own Name 

Priscilla laughed when Chude brought it up, then was straight about it. “Because of my mom, she made life easy for me.” But she was quick to show she put in work. At 14, she earned a Best Child Actress nomination at the Best of Nollywood Awards for her role in “Beyond Disability”. She later launched Priscilla’s Closet and signed her first endorsement deal at around 16. “I wasn’t very controversial. I was just focused on my brand, my style, my bags, my deals. So they could see through it.”

On Love, Marriage and Her Wedding 

She says the love story was not planned. “He just saw me from across the room. We caught eyes. And I think he told me I’ll be his wife.” Nigerians across the country were caught up in it. Despite all the attention, the couple say they were just enjoying themselves. “We just wanted to do our thing. The outcome was crazy. Everything was like 10 over 10.”

Photo: Instagram

On Navigating Motherhood

She was still posting on her phone the day she gave birth. The next morning was different. “I couldn’t feel my legs. Seeing him was like, ‘Wow.'” When asked what she fears most, she said: “Losing myself in the process of trying to put everything together.”

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Ini Dima-Okojie Expecting First Child With Husband

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Photo Credit: Chuchuojekwe

Actress Ini Dima-Okojie, known for her screen-work and style presence is stepping into motherhood. Ini shared the news that she and her husband, Abasi Ene-Obong, are expecting their first child in a shoot that felt more like a gallery of fine art, than an announcement.

Photo Credit: Chuchuojekwe

For her shoot, she wore a white plissé maxi dress designed by Toju Foyeh. The gown had a daring deep V-neckline and a thigh-high slit, which balanced the volume of the pleated fabric. The key highlight of the gown was the cape-like draping from the shoulders that flowed into a sweeping train, creating a cloud-like effect against the painted backdrop. Her hair was styled in long waves with a smooth middle part. Her makeup, done by Rise and Glam Beauty, followed a “Golden Goddess” theme. It consisted of warm earthy tones, and a nude lip that enhanced her natural glow.

To highlight her shape and the intricate pleating of the dress, she went for minimal jewelry, gold drop earrings and she was barefoot.

Photo Credit: Chuchuojekwe

Ini and Abasi Ene-Obong got married in 2022. Ini first opened up in 2020 about being diagnosed with uterine fibroids back in 2017. In 2024, she made headlines again revealing that, three years after undergoing surgery to remove fibroids, the symptoms had returned. Through all of it, she spoke about her experience openly, at a time when many women were going through the same in silence. This pregnancy, which she described as a miracle, carries added weight given everything she has been through to get here.

Photo Credit: Chuchuojekwe

Ini Dima-Okojie has built a steady acting career over the years, with a body of work that shows passion and consistency. She approaches her craft with clear intent, and that discipline is visible across her performances. As she steps into motherhood, this new phase adds to an already evolving career, marking another personal milestone for the Nollywood star.

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Bovi and Nomzamo Mbatha to Host the 12th AMVCA

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Photo: Instagram

The Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) announced its 12th edition. Organizers have announced that Nigerian comedian Bovi Ugboma and South African actress Nomzamo Mbatha will co-host the 12th edition, after IK Osakioduwa’s ten-year run as the ceremony’s main host.

Photo: Instagram

The decision to pair Bovi and Nomzamo reflects a shift toward a pan-African celebration. Dr. Busola Tejumola, Executive Head of Content and West Africa Channels at MultiChoice, noted that the duo was selected to bring a refreshed tone to the hosting, showing the range of African film industry.

Bovi, who has previously hosted the AMVCA red carpet, described this promotion to the main stage as a career milestone. In an interview with Sunday Scoop, he said:

“That’s a plus. It’s pretty much the biggest award show in Africa, so for me, it’s a major feather to my heart and a colour to my résumé.”

In his reaction to the news, Bovi said he was surprised.

“I wasn’t expecting it. Considering IK has been the host from the beginning, I was really happy when I got the call. I saw it as a big plus for me.”

 

Photo: Instagram

Meanwhile, Nomzamo Mbatha, highlighted the importance of the awards in connecting the African film industry, stating she is honored to be part of a night that celebrates “African excellence on a global scale.”

The 12th AMVCA is scheduled for May 9, 2026, at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos. While the technical categories are decided by a jury led by Joke Silva, the “Best Digital Content Creator” and other fan-favorite categories remain in the hands of the viewers. Voting is active on the official Africa Magic website and will close on April 26, 2026.

The nomination list is led by 2025 theatrical releases. E.g:

“Gingerrr” — 9 nominations.

“The Herd” — 9 nominations.

“To Kill a Monkey” — 8 nominations.

“My Father’s Shadow” — 7 nominations.

“The Serpent’s Gift” and “3 Cold Dishes” — 6 nominations each

Photo: Instagram

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