AMAA: Late Esiri wins best African actor award

Late Esiri

It was the longest event night in the nine year’s history of Africa Movie Academy Awards(AMAA) which held at the weekend, in Yenagoa, capital of  Bayelsa State. But fans of the nominees waited patiently, until winners in the highest categories of the awards were announced.

Scores of avid film professionals, movie buffs, officials of the Bayelsa State Government, foreign observers and excited locals gathered at the Glory Hall Cultural Center in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Saturday night, to witness another the event, often described as Africa’s version of the Oscars.

The ovation became loud when at about 4am,  the late veteran actor, Justus Esiri, was named the posthumous winner in the Best Actor class. Perhaps for the first time in the annual competition, the continent was in agreement to the acting ingenuity of the late thespian. Fans went ecstatic for the choice of Esiri, depicting his popularity across the continent.

Esiri, who was buried just two weeks ago in his home town, Oria-Abraka, Delta State, was picked for his last film on earth; Assassins Practice, beating Nigeria’s OC Ukeje, Bimbo Manuel, Femi Jacobs and Lindani Nkosi (??), Hlomlab Dandala (Ghana) and Amurin Wumnembom (Cameroon). Esiri’s trophy was received by President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Miss Ibinabo FIberesima who was  visibly emotional laden.

South African actress, Florence Masbe won the Best Actress award for her  role in “Elelwani”. She beats Nigeria’s Rita Dominic,   Ghana’s Yvonne Okoro,  Burkina Faso’s MAriam Ouedraogo, Cameroon’s Mbutung Seikeh and Malawi’s Flora Suya.

It was an evening go glory for Nigerian movies, as the Best Director and Best Film categories were clinched by Niji Akanni, for the film, Heroes and Zeroes and Kenneth Gyang for Confusion Na Wah respectively.

The ceremonies which ended at about 5am also had young actor, Gabriel Afolayan clinch the Best Actor in a Supporting Role, while Nigeria’s Blindah Effah won a joint laurel with Kenyan actor, Joseph Wairium for the Best Promising Actor of the year category.

Head of Jury, June Givanni , an international film curator who run the African Caribbean film unit , noted that the quality of entries received  in the AMAAs have improved tremendously .

The scheme also gave Lifetime Achievement Awards to some veterans in Nollywood, including Chief Eddie Ugboma  (OON), Sir Sir Osita Okeke Oguno (Ossy Afason), Ayuko Babu, Pete Edochie and Tunde Kelani.

Special Recognition laurels also went to the likes of ace producer, Emem Isong, veteran actors, Kanayo O Kanayo, Keneth Okonkwo, and the Film and Video Producers and Marketers Association of Nigeria (FVPMAN) for their invaluable roles in the Nigerian home video industry.

Minister for Culture and Tourism, Chief Edem Duke who represented President Goodluck Jonathan at the event said the federal government was committed to its plans to help the movie industry in Nigeria grow. He noted that the N3 billion grant promise by Jonathan during a Presidential dinner a few months back was still valid. He disclosed that the framework for the fund will be out soon, and that the leaderships of the film industry will be appointed into a committee that will determine the modalities fir disbursement.

Earlier, governor of Bayelsa State, Mr.  Seriake Dickson said his government is passionate about AMAA and its affiliated activities because the scheme has helped the youths to improve their creative endeavors. He announced the establishment of Bayelsa Film Trust Fund, with an initial donation of N150 million, adding that, following the successful outcome of the pre event fundraising for the AMAAs in Abuja, the private sector will be encouraged in the funding of the scheme.

In his opening speech, the Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr. Seriake Dickson re-emphasized the State’s continued support for the annual awards while also revealing that the sum of N800million was sunk into organising this year’s edition.

The movie titled Heroes to Zeroes was perhaps the surprise package of the night, winning awards in three different categories.

The colourful event was anchored by comedian, AY, Ghanaian beauty, Ama K Amebrese, who later on handed the baton to Sultry actress, Dakore Egbuson-Akande and Ghanaian thespian, Adjetey Anang who both took over the stage as hosts of the second half of the event.

At intervals, musicians across the continent mounted the stage to assuage guests at the tension filled competition. Performing at the event were South African group, Khlena Demza, Groove Magic Band from Malawi, Waje, son of the soil, Timi Dakolo, Flavour Nabania and comedians Funny Bone and G Bone.

Other industry personalities such as Doris Simeon, Brian Okwara, Beverly Naya, Ivie Okujaiye, Alex Ekubo, Lydia Forson, Femi Brainard, Jude Orhorha, Fathia Balogun, Uti Nwachukwu, Chioma Chukwuka-Akpota and AGN president, Ibinabo Fiberesima took turns too to present awards to deserving winners on the night.

Unlike last year when the ceremony was dominated by Kenya, Nigeria led the pack raking home 13 awards across 27 categories. South Africa came second with 4 awards, Burkina Faso and Kenya got two laurels each, while Ghana, Malawi, Uganda and Mozambique won for themselves, one trophy each.

The event also had the presence of notable personalities, including Hollywood actor, Mario Van Pebbles, Delta State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mr. Richard Mofe Damijo, President of Republic of Malawi, Mrs. Joyce Banda, represented by her daughter among others

Source: The Nation