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.

Bala said all the aspirants unanimously accepted the governor’s peace initiative, describing it as timely, strategic, and instrumental in uniting all parties behind a common objective.

Governor Yusuf had successfully mediated in the long-standing dispute over the Kano Central senatorial ticket, a development that eventually produced Shekarau as the consensus candidate.

The resolution followed a high-level reconciliation meeting convened by the governor in Abuja, where all aspirants and key stakeholders agreed to set aside personal ambitions in the interest of unity, progress, and Kano State’s political future.

As a result of the agreement, the eight aspirants voluntarily stepped down and endorsed Shekarau as the consensus flagbearer for Kano Central under the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Kano Central, which is Nigeria’s largest senatorial district, covers 15 local government areas with an estimated population of over 10 million people, making the consensus decision a significant political development with wide implications.

Governor Yusuf praised the aspirants for prioritising collective interest over individual ambition, describing their action as a show of maturity, sacrifice, and commitment to democratic values.

He also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to dialogue, inclusion, and consensus-building as key tools for political stability and sustainable development, expressing confidence that the agreement would strengthen unity and enhance Kano’s influence nationally.

In his reaction, Shekarau commended the governor’s role in fostering peace among the aspirants and expressed gratitude to those who stepped down in his favour, as well as their support for APC candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.