…Olu Jacobs, Tunde Kelani, Mercy Johnson and
Jakie Appiah among winners …Jonathan, Aganga, Edem Duke assure steady
support of movie industry
read after cut....
What was supposed to be one of the most prestigious movie awards in Africa was last night soiled by the award given to a rather unknown and obviously unpopular actor O. C Ukeje as the Best Actor in Drama.
The actor himself was ‘shocked’ when his name was mentioned as the winner of that category. He practically went up the podium to receive the award unable to control his excitement.
The first African Magic Viewers Choice Award (AMVCA) which was sponsored by Amstel Malta took place Saturday Night at the prestigious Eko Hotel in Victoria Island Lagos. Amstel Malta sponsored the Awards in partnership with Multi Choice TV and attracted the best of Nollywood actors and actresses including Liz Benson and others veterans who have been out of limelight for years.
The legendary Nigerian movie demigod Olu Jacobs and his equally renowned actress wife Joke Silva were at the event that attracted the best in the industry including Genevieve Nnaji, Omotola Jelade, St. Obi, Stephanie Okereke among others.
The evening was blessed with performances by music and comedy icons like Femi Kuti who sang Bang bang bang at the beginning of the show.
He also made the closing appearance but not before the likes of Inyanya and Banky had time to trill the hundreds of Nigerians and other nationals who attended the programme.
It was fun at the beginning and through most of the events with actors and actresses who were supposed to win awards being called out to announce winners rather. Those who presented awards to winners include Genevieve Nnaji, Richard Mofe Damijo alongside Rita Dominic, Stephanie Okereke, Chinedu Ikebuife, Nadia Buari, Joke Silva, Desmond Elliot and Jim Iyk among others.
Olu Jacobs was honored with the industry’s Merit Award while Tunde Kelani won the Best Local Language movies (Yoruba) category. Mercy Johnson who recently had a baby in the United States got the Best Actress in Comedy award which was received on her behalf by Patience Ozokwor (Mama G).
Others who won awards at the event include Ngozi Obasi, Best Costume Designer; Best Lighting Design Dave Hawe; Best Writer in Comedy Tim Green; Best Writer Drama Precious Amaka among others.
But when it Okechukwu Ukeje’s name was announced as the Best Actor in Drama, the hall went quite as people could not believe their eyes and what they were seeing.
As if he knew that an arrangement has been put in place for his day of glory, Ukeje had been very visible throughout the period the event lasted from the red carpet interviews to the show proper. He also presented award to winners twice throughout the period of the award night.
The eyebrows that were raised by the attendees may have been related to the fact that Amstel Malta, sponsors of the award ceremony was the organization that threw up Ukeje in the first place. He was once a winner of the Amstel Malta Box Office (AMBO) competition and the have been sponsored to other competitions since then. There were suspicions that his victory must have been influenced by the sponsors of the Awards as a way to further promote the Amstel brand.
Ukeje began his career in acting from his first year at the University of Lagos with a lead role on a stage play. His father, a caterer and his mum, a staff of the a civil servant were ever supportive and he went on to pursue both music and acting focusing on the acting, on stage plays specifically for the first 4 years of his career, before attempting and winning a reality TV show for actors, Amstel Malta Box Office (AMBO).
At the Awards, President Goodluck Jonathan who was represented by the Minister of Petroleum Dezieani Madueke congratulated African Magic and MNET for the show. He said Africa is now a much sought after market for entertainment which was a reversal of what obtained in the past.
He promised his administration’s determination to continue to support Nollywood for the best interest of the country.
Others who spoke there include Minister of Trade and Industry Olusegn Aganga, that of Culture and tourism.
What was supposed to be one of the most prestigious movie awards in Africa was last night soiled by the award given to a rather unknown and obviously unpopular actor O. C Ukeje as the Best Actor in Drama.
The actor himself was ‘shocked’ when his name was mentioned as the winner of that category. He practically went up the podium to receive the award unable to control his excitement.
The first African Magic Viewers Choice Award (AMVCA) which was sponsored by Amstel Malta took place Saturday Night at the prestigious Eko Hotel in Victoria Island Lagos. Amstel Malta sponsored the Awards in partnership with Multi Choice TV and attracted the best of Nollywood actors and actresses including Liz Benson and others veterans who have been out of limelight for years.
The legendary Nigerian movie demigod Olu Jacobs and his equally renowned actress wife Joke Silva were at the event that attracted the best in the industry including Genevieve Nnaji, Omotola Jelade, St. Obi, Stephanie Okereke among others.
The evening was blessed with performances by music and comedy icons like Femi Kuti who sang Bang bang bang at the beginning of the show.
He also made the closing appearance but not before the likes of Inyanya and Banky had time to trill the hundreds of Nigerians and other nationals who attended the programme.
It was fun at the beginning and through most of the events with actors and actresses who were supposed to win awards being called out to announce winners rather. Those who presented awards to winners include Genevieve Nnaji, Richard Mofe Damijo alongside Rita Dominic, Stephanie Okereke, Chinedu Ikebuife, Nadia Buari, Joke Silva, Desmond Elliot and Jim Iyk among others.
Olu Jacobs was honored with the industry’s Merit Award while Tunde Kelani won the Best Local Language movies (Yoruba) category. Mercy Johnson who recently had a baby in the United States got the Best Actress in Comedy award which was received on her behalf by Patience Ozokwor (Mama G).
Others who won awards at the event include Ngozi Obasi, Best Costume Designer; Best Lighting Design Dave Hawe; Best Writer in Comedy Tim Green; Best Writer Drama Precious Amaka among others.
But when it Okechukwu Ukeje’s name was announced as the Best Actor in Drama, the hall went quite as people could not believe their eyes and what they were seeing.
As if he knew that an arrangement has been put in place for his day of glory, Ukeje had been very visible throughout the period the event lasted from the red carpet interviews to the show proper. He also presented award to winners twice throughout the period of the award night.
The eyebrows that were raised by the attendees may have been related to the fact that Amstel Malta, sponsors of the award ceremony was the organization that threw up Ukeje in the first place. He was once a winner of the Amstel Malta Box Office (AMBO) competition and the have been sponsored to other competitions since then. There were suspicions that his victory must have been influenced by the sponsors of the Awards as a way to further promote the Amstel brand.
Ukeje began his career in acting from his first year at the University of Lagos with a lead role on a stage play. His father, a caterer and his mum, a staff of the a civil servant were ever supportive and he went on to pursue both music and acting focusing on the acting, on stage plays specifically for the first 4 years of his career, before attempting and winning a reality TV show for actors, Amstel Malta Box Office (AMBO).
At the Awards, President Goodluck Jonathan who was represented by the Minister of Petroleum Dezieani Madueke congratulated African Magic and MNET for the show. He said Africa is now a much sought after market for entertainment which was a reversal of what obtained in the past.
He promised his administration’s determination to continue to support Nollywood for the best interest of the country.
Others who spoke there include Minister of Trade and Industry Olusegn Aganga, that of Culture and tourism.
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