Imported User:
It was all glitz and glamour last Sunday, April 22, 2012 at the Eko Hotel & Suites Victoria Island, Lagos, when the ‘who is who’ in the entertainment industry in Nigeria and beyond graced the 8th African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA).
Despite the absence of Lagos State governor and top government officials from the host state, the event did not lack the expected glamour and paparazzi that had been the hallmark of AMAA since its inception eight years ago. Film stakeholders from Africa and beyond converged for the awards. Top musicians like Yinka Davids, Asa, 2Face were among the artistes that brought down the roof of the Expo Hall of Eko Hotel with their wonderful performances.
The awards, an equivalent of American’s Oscar Award, also witnessed the presence of few A-list Nollywood stars. Though most top Nollywood stars like sultry actresses, Omotola Ekeinde Jalade, Genevieve Nnaji, Ini Edo, Chika Ike and others that would have given the event the glamour it needed were missing. However, that did not stop the glamour of the event as Nollywood stars like, Uche Jombo, Rita Dominic, Ireti Osayemi and her husband, Ndidi Obi, Funsho Adeolu, Iyabo Ojo, Faithia Balogun, Lizzy Anjorin, Dayo Amusan, Grace Amah, and other established stars added glamour to the event that had been hosted by Bayelsa state government six times out of the eight edition.
The absence of Genevieve, Ini Edo, Monalisa Chinda and others, LEADERSHIP gathered, may had been due to Stephanie Okereke’s wedding they attended a day before the award.
The event, which finally started by 9pm as against the 6pm scheduled time, turned out to be successful as Tuface put up a scintillating performance that made guests asking for more.
It was also a successful story for Nigeria film industry as Rita Dominic was adjudged as the Best Actress for her role in ‘Shattered’. It was an emotional moment for sexy Nollywood actress, Rita Dominic as she clinched 2012 AMAA Best actress of the year award.
Rita beat notable names like, Nse Ikpe Etim, Yvonne Okoro, Ama K. Abebrese and Millicent Makheido to win the coveted prize.
Also, Ghana’s Majid Mitchell won in the best actor of the year category.
Majid edged out Hakeem Kae Kazim, Wale Ojo, Karado Lance, Jafta Mamabolo, Chet Anekwe and Menzi Ngubane to win the prize.
An almost tearful Rita dedicated her award to her late parents and her social networking site friends and fans she called Zamuda.
Speaking with LEADERSHIP after the award, Rita said she never expected it coming.
Also speaking to LEADERSHIP, Majid said the award meant everything to him.
A file entitled ‘Adesuwa,’ however, became the toast of the night as it carted away three awards in; Best Nigerian Film, Visual Effects and in Costume Design. ‘Phone Swamp,’ a film by Kunle Afolayan won award in Production Design, while Alero Symphony won two awards in Best Sound Track and Young and Coming Actor courtesy of Ivie Okujaiye Here are complete winners of the Africa’s America Oscar;
