The recognition was presented on Saturday night during the 12th edition of the AMVCA ceremony held at Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos State.

The award celebrates their decades of outstanding contributions to the Nigerian film industry, as well as their lasting impact as two of Nollywood’s most respected screen legends.

While receiving her award, Sola Sobowale expressed gratitude to God, the organisers, her colleagues, fans, and most especially her children, whom she credited for making her journey through motherhood and career easier.

“I want to specially thank God Almighty for keeping me till this day to have this. I thank my children. Thank you to all my colleagues. I thank my fans because without you ‘Ko si Shola’ (there’s no Shola). It truly is an honour,” she said.

On his part, Kanayo O. Kanayo used his moment on stage to speak out against xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

reports that FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, confirmed the development in an update released on Sunday.

She stated that the reality TV star and her siblings were rescued after the weekend incident and immediately taken for medical attention.

According to Adeh, “Following the rescue of Ms. Ilebaye Odiniya Emmanuel (27 years) and her two brothers, Godson Emmanuel Odiniya (14 years) and Devin Emmanuel Odiniya (10 years), they were rushed to Yabisam Hospital, Lugbe, alongside their father, who also sustained injuries during the confrontation, by the Area Commander Metro, ACP Ufomadu Georglyn.”

She further confirmed that the siblings are now under police protection.

“The rescued siblings are currently in police protective custody, contrary to circulating reports online, while their father, who is also receiving medical care, remains in Police custody,” she added.

Adeh also noted that investigations into the incident are ongoing, and formal questioning will begin once all parties are certified medically fit.

The development followed the arrest of Emmanuel Odiniya after he was accused of assaulting his daughter at their residence in Royal Anchor Estate, Wuye, Abuja.

The case gained widespread attention after a viral video showed Ilebaye in tears with visible facial injuries while seeking help during the incident.

Police spokesperson Adeh said officers responded to a distress call received in the early hours of Friday regarding an ongoing domestic assault.

She explained that operatives from the Wuye Division and the Department of Operations were deployed immediately to the scene.

According to her, officers initially faced difficulty accessing the residence as the gate was locked, but entry was eventually forced around 2:30 a.m. once the situation was confirmed.

She added that Ilebaye was found with visible bruises and was rescued alongside her siblings before being taken for medical treatment at NNPC Hospital, Abuja.

The father remains in custody as investigations continue to determine the circumstances surrounding the altercation.

Meanwhile, the children’s mother, Mrs. Lami Odiniya, reportedly said the incident began when Ilebaye visited the family home to see her younger brothers and discuss plans for her birthday.

She claimed the disagreement escalated after the father allegedly accused the reality star of being influenced by her mother.

The situation has reignited public attention on the family’s long-standing domestic dispute following the breakdown of their 32-year marriage, with custody of the children previously granted to the father by a court.

Reports indicate that Akindele, despite widespread expectations, left the ceremony without a win even though her film Behind the Scenes received four nominations across major categories.

The movie, which grossed over ₦2 billion at the box office, was nominated for Best Movie, Best Lead Actress, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Supporting Actress.

However, Ejiofor clinched the Best Supporting Actress award in a highly competitive category that included top stars, with Akindele also among the favourites due to strong online buzz surrounding her performance.

Other nominees in the category included Bisola Aiyeola (Gingerrr), Sola Sobowale (The Covenant), Nadia Dutch (Aljana), Amal Umar (The Herd), Juliebrenda Nyambura (MTV Shuga Mashariki), and Olamide Kidbaby (Oversabi Aunty).

Ejiofor’s winning role in The Herd saw her portray the wife of a kidnapped man played by Daniel Etim-Effiong in a socially driven satirical drama focused on insecurity and societal challenges in Nigeria.

Although The Herd had a modest box office performance compared to Behind the Scenes, it gained stronger traction on streaming platforms and secured multiple AMVCA nominations.

Ahead of the awards, Akindele had topped several online prediction polls, but the final decision rested with the AMVCA jury chaired by veteran actress Joke Silva.

In the Best Supporting Actor category, Bucci Franklin emerged winner for his role in To Kill A Monkey, beating nominees including Lateef Adedimeji, Gabriel Afolayan, Femi Adebayo, Femi Branch, Uzor Arukwe, and Simileoluwa Hassan.