Author: Stephen Ibrahim

The Television Academy has officially announced the creation of a new honor,  the Legacy Award aimed at recognizing television series that have made a profound and lasting cultural impact long after their original broadcast runs.

The announcement marks the Academy’s first major new award category in nearly two decades, underscoring a growing effort to formally acknowledge television shows whose influence extends beyond ratings, awards seasons, and initial critical reception.

According to the Television Academy, the Legacy Award will celebrate iconic television series that have demonstrated sustained relevance, cultural significance, and influence across generations. The focus is not on a single season or performance, but on the enduring footprint a show leaves on television history, pop culture, and storytelling.

Academy Chair Cris Abrego described the award as a way to honor programming that has helped define eras of television and continues to resonate with audiences years after its debut .

Eligibility Criteria Explained

To qualify for the Legacy Award, a television series must meet specific eligibility requirements set by the Academy:

• The show must have aired at least 60 episodes
• It must span a minimum of five seasons
• The series must demonstrate long-term cultural, social, or industry impact
• Multi-series franchises will be considered as a single body of work, rather than individual titles

This framework positions the Legacy Award as distinct from competitive Emmy categories, which typically focus on annual achievements.

The selection process will be overseen by the Academy’s Special Awards Committee, formerly known as the Governors Award committee. This body will compile a shortlist of potential honorees before submitting recommendations to the Television Academy Board of Governors, which will vote on the final recipients .

Recipients of the Legacy Award will receive an engraved Emmy statuette, with presentations expected to take place at select Academy events, including the Creative Arts Emmys or other official ceremonies.

The Legacy Award becomes the Academy’s most significant addition since the launch of the Television Academy Honors in 2007, which spotlighted socially conscious programming. Unlike that initiative, however, the Legacy Award is explicitly tied to longevity and cultural endurance, not just thematic relevance.

The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) has officially recognized the growing influence of Nigerian and West African English by adding 24 new words and phrases. From everyday slang to local foods and cultural expressions, these words reflect the global reach of Nigerian culture, music, and language.

This update marks a milestone in acknowledging Nigerian English and Pidgin English as vibrant contributors to the English language worldwide.

24 Nigerian Words Now in the Oxford English Dictionary

Here’s the complete list of newly added Nigerian and West African words, now officially part of the global English lexicon:

1. Abeg – A Pidgin term meaning “please” or used to soften requests.
2. Abrokyire – From Twi, meaning foreign or overseas countries.
3. Adowa – Traditional Ghanaian dance style.
4. Amala – A Nigerian staple swallow made from yam, cassava, or plantain flour.
5. Ampesi – A Ghanaian boiled dish of tubers like yam or plantain.
6. Benachin – Senegalese/Gambian one-pot rice dish (similar to jollof).
7. Bend down (and) select – Refers to choosing second-hand clothes, now used as a noun and verb.
8. Biko – Igbo word meaning “please,” also used as an interjection for surprise or emphasis.
9. Domoda – Mandinka peanut and tomato stew.
10. Dumboy – A Liberian boiled cassava dish.
11. Ghana Must Go – The iconic checkered travel bag, named after a historical deportation event.
12. Kpanlogo – A Ghanaian dance and music style.
13. Light soup – Spicy Ghanaian tomato-based soup.
14. Mammy Market – Markets traditionally run by women, especially in military barracks.
15. Moi Moi – Steamed bean pudding from Nigeria (Yoruba origin).
16. Nawetan – A football tournament in Senegal and Gambia.
17. Nyash – Pidgin slang for “buttocks” or something attractive.
18. Obroni – Ghanaian term for foreigner, especially light-skinned people.
19. Poda-poda – Sierra Leonean minibus taxi.
20. Swallow – Class of starchy foods eaten by hand (fufu, amala, eba).
21. Talk less – Phrase meaning “seriously” or “no joke.”
22. Yassa – Senegalese marinated dish with meat or fish and onions.
23. Hiplife – Ghanaian music genre combining hip-hop and highlife.
24. Articulator – Usage noted in West African contexts, added to OED for cultural relevance.

How Nigerian Words Are Going Global

1. Social Media & Music – Phrases like “Abeg” and “Talk less” trend online, showing how Nigerian Pidgin spreads internationally.
2. Food & Culture – Words like Moi Moi, Amala, and Yassa reflect Nigeria’s and West Africa’s culinary influence.
3. Fashion & Lifestyle – “Bend down (and) select” represents local markets and fashion culture that now resonates globally.
4. Diaspora Influence – Nigerian and Ghanaian communities abroad help these words enter mainstream English.

The Oxford English Dictionary has officially acknowledged what Nigerians have always known: their language, slang, and culture are shaping global English. Next time you say “Abeg” or enjoy Moi Moi, remember: you’re speaking officially recognized English now.

The 32nd annual Actor Awards, formerly known as the Screen Actors Guild Awards has unveiled its complete list of nominations on January 7, 2026, signaling the first major awards announcement of the season. The nominees reflect the strongest performances of 2025 across film and television, as voted on by members of SAG-AFTRA. The ceremony is set to stream live on Netflix on March 1, 2026, and will feature actor Harrison Ford as this year’s Life Achievement honoree. 

Film Categories

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role

• Timothée Chalamet — Marty Supreme
• Leonardo DiCaprio — One Battle After Another
• Ethan Hawke — Blue Moon
• Michael B. Jordan — Sinners
• Jesse Plemons — Bugonia 

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role

• Jessie Buckley — Hamnet
• Rose Byrne — If I Had Legs I’d Kick You
• Kate Hudson — Song Sung Blue
• Chase Infiniti — One Battle After Another
• Emma Stone — Bugonia 

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role

• Miles Caton — Sinners
• Benicio Del Toro — One Battle After Another
• Jacob Elordi — Frankenstein
• Paul Mescal — Hamnet
• Sean Penn — One Battle After Another 

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role

• Odessa A’Zion — Marty Supreme
• Ariana Grande — Wicked: For Good
• Amy Madigan — Weapons
• Wunmi Mosaku — Sinners
• Teyana Taylor — One Battle After Another 

Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture

• Frankenstein
• Hamnet
• Marty Supreme
• One Battle After Another
• Sinners 

Television Categories – Full Nominees

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series

• Claire Danes — The Beast in Me
• Erin Doherty — Adolescence
• Sarah Snook — All Her Fault
• Christine Tremarco — Adolescence
• Michelle Williams — Dying For Sex 

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series

• Jason Bateman — Black Rabbit
• Owen Cooper — Adolescence
• Stephen Graham — Adolescence
• Charlie Hunnam — Monster: The Ed Gein Story
• Matthew Rhys — The Beast in Me 

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series

• Kathryn Hahn — The Studio
• Catherine O’Hara — The Studio
• Jenna Ortega — Wednesday
• Jean Smart — Hacks
• Kristen Wiig — Palm Royale 

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series

• Ike Barinholtz — The Studio
• Adam Brody — Nobody Wants This
• Ted Danson — A Man on the Inside
• Seth Rogen — The Studio
• Martin Short — Only Murders in the Building 

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series

• Britt Lower — Severance
• Parker Posey — The White Lotus
• Keri Russell — The Diplomat
• Rhea Seehorn — Pluribus
• Aimee Lou Wood — The White Lotus 

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series

• Sterling K. Brown — Paradise
• Billy Crudup — The Morning Show
• Walton Goggins — The White Lotus
• Gary Oldman — Slow Horses
• Noah Wyle — The Pitt 

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series

• The Diplomat
• Landman
• The Pitt
• Severance
• The White Lotus 

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series

• Abbott Elementary
• The Bear
• Hacks
• Only Murders in the Building
• The Studio 

Stunt Ensemble Categories

Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture

• F1
• Frankenstein
• Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning
• One Battle After Another
• Sinners 

Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Television Series

• Andor
• Landman
• The Last of Us
• Squid Game
• Stranger Things 

Life Achievement Award

• Harrison Ford — Honored for lifetime contributions to film and television.  

Key Season Dates

• Nomination Announcement: January 7, 2026
• Live Voting Opens: January 14, 2026
• Final Voting Deadline: February 27, 2026
• 32nd Actor Awards Ceremony: March 1, 2026 (streaming on Netflix) 

Afrobeats singer, songwriter, and producer Pheelz has officially confirmed that a new EP will be released in March 2026, describing the project as a personal and creative reset.

The announcement was made directly by the artist in a heartfelt message to fans, where he revealed that the upcoming EP represents a period of realignment and renewed purpose in his music journey.

“I have an EP coming in March. I’m so proud of it; it’s a reset and a realignment. I have so much to give out and I’m not going to hold it anymore,” Pheelz wrote.

According to the statement, the project will form part of Pheelz’s broader plans for 2026, a year he says will focus on deeper connection with his audience and more intentional music releases. The producer turned-artist also emphasized his desire to share music and content that fans have not experienced from him before.

Beyond the EP, Pheelz hinted at a more direct relationship with listeners through exclusive drops, content, and fan engagement initiatives, referring to his growing community as a “Tribe.”

“All I’ve ever wanted is an audience to experience music in the way I see it… I want to connect more with you, give you music that you haven’t heard, content you haven’t seen.”

While details such as the EP’s title, tracklist, and featured acts remain undisclosed, the March 2026 timeline is now officially confirmed by the artist himself.

More information is expected to be revealed as the release date draws closer.

The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 has reached its business end, with CAF officially confirming the quarter-final fixtures following the conclusion of the Round of 16 matches in Morocco.

The last eight features some of Africa’s biggest footballing nations, setting the stage for a series of high-stakes encounters as teams battle for a place in the semi-finals.

AFCON 2025 Quarter-Final Fixtures

Friday, January 9, 2026

• Mali vs Senegal – Grand Stade de Tangier
• Cameroon vs Morocco – Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah, Rabat

Saturday, January 10, 2026

• Algeria vs Nigeria – Stade de Marrakech
• Egypt vs Côte d’Ivoire – Stade Adrar, Agadir

The quarter-finals deliver several classic African football rivalries and high-profile matchups.

West African neighbours Mali and Senegal face off in what promises to be a tightly contested encounter, with both sides showing tactical discipline and defensive solidity throughout the tournament.

Hosts Morocco will rely on home support as they take on five-time champions Cameroon, a team known for thriving under pressure in knockout stages.

One of the standout ties sees Nigeria square off against Algeria, a clash between two continental heavyweights with rich AFCON histories. Both teams come into the game with strong momentum after convincing Round of 16 performances.

Meanwhile, Egypt meet Côte d’Ivoire in a fixture that pits AFCON’s most successful nation against the former champions, adding extra weight to an already high-profile contest.

With no clear favourites remaining, AFCON 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most competitive editions in recent years. The winners of these fixtures will advance to the semi-finals, keeping their hopes of continental glory firmly alive.

PC gaming in 2026 is defined by games that have strong worlds, clear narrative direction, and long-term relevance. Below is a curated top 10 list, combining what each game is about with why it continues to matter today.

1. Baldur’s Gate 3

Genre: RPG

Set in the Dungeons & Dragons world of Faerûn, the game follows characters infected with mind-flayer parasites that threaten to transform them. As players search for a cure, they become entangled in political power struggles, ancient magic, and a cult known as the Absolute.

2. Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree

Genre: Action RPG

This expansion explores a hidden realm connected to the demigod Miquella. Players uncover forgotten histories, confront corrupted divine forces, and explore lands shaped by betrayal, ambition, and decay.

3. Alan Wake 2

Genre: Survival Horror

The story alternates between Alan Wake, trapped in a twisted alternate reality, and FBI agent Saga Anderson, investigating ritual murders in a small town. Their narratives intersect as fiction and reality collapse into each other.

One of the most narrative-driven horror games on PC.

4. Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty

Genre: Action RPG

Set in Night City’s sealed-off Dogtown district, the story follows mercenary V as they are pulled into a political espionage plot involving the New United States of America, rogue soldiers, and a collapsing power structure.

5. Disco Elysium

Genre: Narrative RPG

Players assume the role of a detective who wakes up with no memory while investigating a murder in the city of Revachol. The story unfolds through dialogue, inner monologues, and ideological conflict rather than combat.

A rare game driven entirely by writing and ideas.

6. Silent Hill 2 (Remake)

Genre: Survival Horror

James Sunderland arrives in the fog-covered town of Silent Hill after receiving a letter from his dead wife. As he searches for her, the town manifests his guilt, grief, and psychological trauma.

A faithful modern retelling of a psychological horror classic.

7. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (Next-Gen Edition)

Genre: Open-World RPG

The game follows Geralt of Rivia as he searches for his adopted daughter, Ciri, who is being hunted by a supernatural force known as the Wild Hunt. The journey spans war-torn kingdoms, political intrigue, and ancient prophecy.

8. Balatro

Genre: Roguelike / Strategy

Set in an abstract, poker-inspired world, Balatro focuses on building powerful card combinations by bending traditional rules. There is no linear story, only escalating challenges and progression systems.

9. Stardew Valley

Genre: Life Simulation

Players inherit a rundown farm and move to a quiet rural town. The narrative develops organically through farming, relationships, community projects, and personal milestones.

10. Valorant

Genre: Tactical Shooter

Set in a near-future Earth, the game follows elite agents with unique abilities competing in high-stakes tactical missions. The story is delivered gradually through characters, lore updates, and environmental details.

One of PC gaming’s most active and competitive ecosystems.

The best PC games in 2026 are not defined by release year, but by world-building, narrative clarity, and staying power. 

Anime fans are officially heading back into the world of cursed energy. Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 is set to premiere tomorrow, launching with a one-hour special that combines the first two episodes of the new season.

The announcement confirms the long-awaited return of one of the most successful anime franchises of the last decade, following the intense and critically acclaimed events of the Shibuya Incident arc.

Produced by MAPPA, Jujutsu Kaisen has grown into a global phenomenon since its debut, earning praise for its animation quality, emotional weight, and high-stakes storytelling. Season 2, which aired in 2023, pushed the series to new heights with darker themes and large-scale character consequences.

Season 3 continues directly from that point, adapting the Culling Game arc, one of the most complex and action-heavy sections of Gege Akutami’s original manga.

Instead of a standard single-episode launch, Season 3 will debut with two episodes released back-to-back, forming a one-hour premiere event. This approach is increasingly used for high-profile anime returns, allowing the story to establish momentum immediately rather than easing in gradually.

After the premiere, the series is expected to return to a weekly episode release schedule.

While avoiding spoilers, the Culling Game arc marks a significant shift in Jujutsu Kaisen’s structure and scale. The story expands beyond familiar battle formats, introducing a high-risk system that forces characters into morally complex situations with lasting consequences.

Its adaptation has been highly anticipated, especially given MAPPA’s reputation for elevating action sequences through cinematic animation and choreography.

Season 3 will air on Japanese television and stream internationally via Crunchyroll, continuing the platform’s role as the primary global distributor for the series outside Asia. Subtitled episodes will be available shortly after broadcast, with dubbed versions expected later.

The Animation Guild (TAG), IATSE Local 839, has recorded a series of significant organizing victories after workers at Netflix Animation, DreamWorks Animation, and NBCUniversal’s Ted television series voted to unionize.

The successful votes expanded the guild’s representation across streaming animation, remote production teams, and television production, marking another major step in the ongoing labor rebalancing within Hollywood’s animation sector.

Feature production workers at Netflix Animation voted in favor of joining The Animation Guild following a National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) election.

The vote brings Netflix’s animation production staff under union representation, granting workers the right to collectively bargain for standardized pay, benefits, working hours, and job protections. The result reflects growing efforts by animation workers at streaming platforms to secure conditions comparable to those at traditional studios.

In a separate but equally notable result, remote production workers at DreamWorks Animation also voted to unionize with TAG.

The DreamWorks vote is particularly significant because it covers workers operating remotely across multiple U.S. locations, reinforcing the guild’s position that union protections should apply regardless of physical workplace. As remote work becomes increasingly common in animation production, the outcome establishes a precedent for organizing beyond studio campuses.

A smaller group of production workers on NBCUniversal’s Ted television series voted to unionize with The Animation Guild and the Editors Guild (IATSE Local 700).

The decision highlights a broader organizing push that includes production roles alongside artists and animators, reflecting the expanding scope of unionization efforts within animation-adjacent work.

With the elections concluded, the affected companies are legally required to recognize the union and begin collective bargaining. While the votes do not result in immediate changes to wages or contracts, they provide workers with formal representation and negotiating power moving forward.

The Animation Guild has described the wins as part of a wider effort to adapt labor protections to the realities of modern animation production, particularly in the streaming era.

The results come amid ongoing changes in Hollywood’s labor landscape, as workers across film, television, and animation push for clearer standards in pay, job security, and working conditions.

For streaming platforms like Netflix and established studios like DreamWorks, the votes signal a continued shift toward greater union presence in areas that were previously less organized.

Ivory Coast booked their place in the AFCON 2025 quarterfinals with a convincing 3–0 victory over Burkina Faso, delivering one of their most complete performances of the knockout stage.

The Elephants set the tone early and never relinquished control, combining attacking precision with defensive discipline to overwhelm their West African rivals.

Ivory Coast 3–0 Burkina Faso

Ivory Coast opened the scoring in the 20th minute when A. Diallo finished clinically to give his side an early advantage.

Momentum stayed firmly with the hosts, and just 12 minutes later, Y. Diomande doubled the lead in the 32nd minute, capitalising on sustained pressure to leave Burkina Faso chasing the game before halftime.

Burkina Faso struggled to find a response in the second half as Ivory Coast managed the contest effectively. Any remaining doubt was put to rest late on when B. Touré struck in the 87th minute, sealing a dominant win and confirming progression into the quarterfinals.

Match Summary

Ivory Coast 3–0 Burkina Faso

Goals:

• A. Diallo (20′)
• Y. Diomande (32′)
• B. Touré (87′)

AFCON 2025 Quarterfinalists So Far

With January 6 action completed, the confirmed teams in the last eight include:

• Senegal
• Mali
• Morocco
• Cameroon
• Egypt
• Nigeria
• Ivory Coast

The remaining Round of 16 fixture(s) will determine the final quarterfinal lineup.

Fans of the high action-comedy franchise Rush Hour have a reason to celebrate. Reports suggest that Rush Hour 4 is gearing up for production, with filming expected to begin in the first half of 2026. The latest installment of the franchise is reportedly planning to shoot across multiple international locations, including China, Africa, and Saudi Arabia.

The film, which follows the legendary partnership of Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker, has been in development for several years. While official confirmations from Paramount Pictures and the lead stars are still pending, industry insiders indicate that pre-production efforts are now moving forward, signaling a potential return to theaters in the near future.

Global Filming Locations

China remains a key location, honoring the franchise’s roots and Jackie Chan’s iconic presence. Africa is reportedly included in the storyline, with speculation pointing to sequences that may involve wildlife or action-driven plotlines. Saudi Arabia also appears on the list, likely reflecting both scenic backdrops and recent trends in international film production partnerships.

Timeline and Release

Though exact filming dates and the final release schedule are not yet officially announced, reports suggest production could kick off as early as spring or summer 2026. If the timeline holds, fans might see Rush Hour 4 hitting theaters by 2027, keeping the series relevant for both longtime followers and a new generation of viewers.