Although
there were a few outstanding moments as well as a few complete pitfalls,this
year’s edition of the prestigious African Movie Academy Award, AMAA, will not
go down in history as incredibly memorable or better still, one of the best
that ever have been organized in the past 12 years. Unlike the previous years, the journey to this year’s AMAA was not complicated. The organizers did well this year to ensure that they blocked all possible loopholes in terms of logistics and other human errors.
Pete Edochie, RMD and Rivers First Lady, Eberechi Wike. In the past five years, while it has become a major problem moving stars, journalists and several other practitioners to the event venue, this year’s experience was different.
As early as Friday morning, the organizers have started moving celebrities to Port-Harcourt ahead of Saturday’s awards night. While in the garden city, it was also a different experience.
Contrary to speculations that the Garden city would not be conducive for such a big event as AMAA, following the deadly activities of the militants in the oil-rich Niger Delta, reverse was the case as Port Harcourt was as peaceful and safe as ever, while the event lasted.
Kudos to Governor Nyesom Wike who earlier promised to make the guests have a good and exciting experience of the state. Exciting experience Expectedly, under the spotlights of Dr Obi Wali International Conference Centre, venue of the show, hundreds of Nollywood stars took turns to walk the red carpet, smile for the camera, while entering the expansive auditorium. Leading the packs of the government functionaries was Governor Nyesome Wike of Rivers State, who was accompanied to the awards ceremony by his wife, Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mahommad, House of Representative member, Femi Gbaja Biamila and several top government officials from in and outside the state were also in attendance.
*Kcee and Harrysong performing on stage *
Kcee and Harrysong performing on stage From Pete Edochie to Olu Jacobs and his wife, Joke Silva, Richard Mofe-Damijo, O.C. Ukeje, Segun Arinze, Fred Amata, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Saheed Balogun and Felix Duker, Eniola Badmus, Paul Obazele among others, it was night of stars. They were everywhere, fraternizing and posing for shots.
However, a number of big actresses including Rita Dominic, Genevieve Nnaji, Omotola Ekeinde-Jalade, Ini Edo, Uche Jombo among others were conspicuously missing at the night. But in their absence, the show went on unstopped.
The highpoint of the night was the presentation of awards to the winners. But one award that drew thunderous applause from the crowd,
was AMAA Lifetime Achievement Awards which went to veteran actor, Olu Jacobs and his wife, Joke Silva,
Richard Mofe Damijo and star of the now rested New Masquerade, Tony Akposhore a.k.a Zakky,for their immense contributions to the growth of the African film industry.
When these veterans mounted the stage to receive their awards, the auditorium erupted in excitement. RMD’s moving speech was indelible. He paid a glowing tribute to late movie producer, Amaka Igwe before dedicating the award to ‘every child that is born in an unknown street in Warri,’
Also, Kcee and Harysong added fun and style to the awards night. But it was Joe Brown Ubaka’s acceptance speech that caused a stir among the audience. Receiving the Ousmane Sembene award for Best film in African Language, which his film, “Missing God” won, Ubaka screamed, “Thank Goodluck Jonathan for empowering Nollywood.”
At that moment, an air of emotion filled the night. Many of the speeches were good, especially by some of the early winners who were carried away by the euphoria of their victories. AMAA founder and president, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe’s opening speech was short and concise. She thanked the Rivers State government for accepting to host the awards ceremony this year.
*President of AMAA 2016 Jury, Shaibu Husseini presenting the envelop containing the names of winners to Peace Anyim-Osigwe
*President of AMAA 2016 Jury, Shaibu Husseini presenting the envelop containing the names of winners to Peace Anyim-Osigwe As the president of AMAA 2016 Jury, Shaibu Husseini explained, they received about 485 entries from over 60 countries, mostly within Africa and also from around the world out of which they only considered about 65 in different genres for nomination in about 26 categories.
“We commend the work done by the Academy’s College of Screeners and at the other levels of pre-selection. We salute their professionalism and thoroughness and note that the selection of films and nominations truly reflects the Pan-African vision for the future of the African film and media industry that AMAA promotes.
Indeed, we are encouraged by the ever increasing number of entries being received from a larger geographic sphere and we look forward to the continuation of this trend,”Husseini said. Low moments But the night was not without a hitch.
The hosts of the show, Mike Ezuruonye and his South African counterpart Kgopedi Lilokoe made the show to be boring. From the outset, Ezuruonye was visibly talking into the microphone, and hardly cracked jokes to lift the spirits of the audience. It was obvious that he has never anchored an event before now. So also was the acclaimed South Africa On Air Personality, who failed to bring her wealth of experience to bear on the show.
source - vanguard news
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