Entertainment
How Nollywood Dominated AMAA Awards
Last Saturday June 11,
marked another milestone in the annals of the African Movie Academy Award AMAA; at Port Harcourt, The Garden City of Nigeria and capital city of Rivers State, the nation’s treasure base hosted the 12th edition of the continental movie awards held at the prestigious Obi Wali International Conference Centre, Elekahia amidst pomp, glamour, glitz and razzmatazz.
Despite losing two of the major awards of the night, best film of the year and best director of the year awards to Burkina Faso and Ghana respectively, nollywood maintained its solid position as Africa’s Biggest film industry at this year’s continental movie awards, the AMAA. Nigeria carted away 10 out of the 24 awards categories given out this year, beating South Africa which won five awards and fast holding Burkina Faso Film Industry which got four awards, while Ghana came fourth with three awards. The event attracted constellation of movie stars and other entertainers and showbiz personalities as well as government officials and captains of industries among other distinguished guests.
The full list of awardees included:
Efere Ozako AMAA 2016 Award for Best Short Film “Meet The Parents” Nigeria/Canada.
Best Animation -“The Pencil” Burkina Faso
Best documentary-“The Fruitless Tree” Niger
Best Diaspora Short Film “Across the Track” – USA
Award for best film by an African living abroad – “Lambadina” Ethiopia/USA
Best Diaspora feature- “Ben and Ara” –USA
Best Diaspora documentary ‘Agents of Change’ USA
Achievement in costume design- “Eye of the Storm”
Achievement in Production Design “The Cursed One” Ghana play
Achievement in make-up “Soldiers Story”- Nigeria
Achievement in Soundtrack “o-Town” Nigeria
Achievement in Visual effects “Oshiminri” Nigeria
Achievement in Cinematography “The Cursed One”
Achievement in Editing “Hear me Move” AMAA 2016 play.
Achievement in screenplay “Tell Me Sweet Something”
Best film in an African language “Missing God” Nigeria
Best actor in a supporting role. Abidine Dioari “Eye of the storm”
Best actress in supporting role Thishiwe Ziqubu – “Tell me sweet something”
Best actress in a leading role Fulu Mugovhani – “Ayanda”
Best actor in a leading role – Daniel K. Daniel – “Soldiers story” Nigeria
Best feature film by a director “Beyond Blood” Greg Odutayo
Life time achievement award – Olu Jacobs and Joke Silva (RMD) – Richard Mofe Damijo
Best film – Eye of the Storm – Burkina Faso
Best director – Nana Obiri – Yaboah, “Maximilian clausse”
Best young/promising actor – Zubaidat Ibrahim Fagge – Dry
Rivers State Government endowed for best Nigerian film – “Dry”
Among the dignitaries that graced the occasion included: His Excellency, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, (CON)
Governor of Rivers State and his wife, Her Excellency Hon. Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom Wike, Hon. Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, her Excellency, Dr. Mrs Ipalibo Harry Banigo, Deputy Governor Rivers State, Rt Hon Adams Dabotorudima, Speaker Rivers State House of Assembly , Chief Judge of Rivers State, Hon Justice A. I Iyaya Lamikarika, Hon Commissioner for Culture and Toursim, Mrs Tonye Briggs Oniyide and other members of the Rivers State executive council.
Also present at the event were founder of AMAA, Mrs Peace Anyiam Osigwe, his Excellency, Chief S. Dickson Governor, Bayelsa State, Senator David Mark, Prince Uche Secondus, former Rivers State governor, His Excellency. Barr. Celestine Omehia, members of the entertainment profession such as veteran actor, Pete Edochie, RMD, Stephanie Linus, Harrysong, Arinze Baba, Patience Ozokwor, among several others.
Popular businessman and socialite, Pascal Okechukwu, aka Cubana Chief Priest, has said that his relationship with singer Davido is beyond money and gossip.
He stated this in a recent interview with BBC Igbo.
“Davido is my friend. He is my in-law; he married Chioma who is from Imo State where I hail from.
“So the relationship I have with Davido is beyond money and gossip,” he said.
DAILY POST reports that Chief Priest disclosed via his Instagram page that his outfit for the wedding of the singer, Davido and his wife, Chioma, in Lagos on Tuesday cost seven million Naira.
The socialite recently appreciated Davido for not “discarding” Chioma.
He stated that the DMW boss has made Imo State proud by choosing to marry from the state.
Nigerian singer Simisola Kosoko, popularly known as Simi, has lent her voice to the ongoing anti-tax hike protests in Kenya.
The Tide’s source reports that Kenyan youths are marching against tax hike in widespread demonstrations tagged ‘RejectFinanceBill2024.’
Five people were shot dead and dozens wounded after police clashed with protesters who stormed the parliament building in Nairobi on Tuesday, according to Amnesty Kenya.
Reacting via her X handle on Tuesday night, Simi declared her support for the demonstrators.
She stated that “it is both powerful and heartbreaking for a people to have to fight and die for freedoms and rights.”
The singer wrote, “I stand with the people of Kenya. It is both powerful and heartbreaking for a people to have to fight and die for freedoms and rights. Godspeed and Strength. [Hash tag] RejectFinanceBill2024.”
In a series of other posts, she wrote: “Wow. When you’ve had enough, the fight is almost inevitable.
“African leaders- have not you done enough?
“I can’t wait for the day Africa is not a weapon fashioned against Africans. All of this amazing Black power and human resource, but the majority are not likely to thrive unless they run.”
Famous Nigerian Afrobeat singer, Davido was spotted among other top artistes at Asake’s ‘Lungu Boy’ tour concert in Atlanta, Georgia.
Asake’s performance at his sold-out show at the 17,000-capacity State Farm Arena in Atlanta began on August 16, 2024, and is set to run for 10 days.
In a trending video on social media, Davido appeared backstage with American rapper Quavo to support Asake during the live performance.
Other musicians in attendance included Nigerian hitmaker Zlatan and American rapper Russ Millions.
The Tide’s source reports that Asake’s ‘Lungu Boy’ tour is set to cover six U.S. cities, where he will headline notable venues including Madison Square Garden in New York, the Toyota Center in Houston, and the State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
Asake’s tour comes just days after the release of his latest hit, ‘Lungu Boy,’ which features several superstars, including Wizkid, British rappers Central Cee and Stormzy, Travis Scott and Brazilian singer Ludmilla.
‘Lungu Boy’ set a new record for the biggest opening week on Spotify Nigeria, garnering 18.9 million streams in its opening week and breaking the previous record of 14.4 million streams held by Davido’s ‘Timeless.’
