Kwara State hosted the great and the good of Nigeria’s movie industry (Nollywood) on Sunday night, with Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq inviting them to take advantage of the cutting-edge facilities and the alluring environment that the state offers the creatives.
At the 16th edition of the best of Nollywood (BON) awards held at the Sugar Factory Film Studio in Ilorin, AbdulRazaq said the event celebrated distinguished individuals in the movie industry and commended the organizers’ choice to assemble and honour the best of Nollywood in Kwara.
LEADERSHIP reports that the event offered the governor a platform to project Kwara as the next destination for quality cinematography, tourism and hospitality, innovation and technology, and other creative endeavours.
AbdulRazaq thanked the thespians and stakeholders in the creative sector for their immense contributions to national development.
“Your presence here highlights the immense possibilities that Kwara offers. We invite you to consider Kwara for your next productions, holidays, and creative pursuits,” he added.
The BON Awards 2024 was headlined by dozens of legends and great talents of the movie industry from across Nigeria, many of whom won in different categories.
Top on parade at the colourful night were screen gods and goddesses such as Fred Amata; Hilda Dokubo; Tunji Bamishigbin; Gloria Anozie; Ayo Magaji; Bimbo Manuel; Keppy Bassey Ekpeyoung; Yomi Fash-Lanso; Toyin Abraham; Lillian Aluko; and Aisha Lawal, among several others.
Inimitable Kanayo Kanayo picked a lifetime award, presented to him by Governor AbdulRazaq, while great acts and directors like Femi Adebayo, Odunlade Adekola, Mercy Aigbe, Adebayo Tijani, and other big names emerged winners in different categories of the award.
Femi Adebayo won the best actor of the year, along with three other awards, for his impressive performances, especially in his rave-of-the-moment film, Jagun Jagun. Wumi Dada emerged as the Best Actress for her role in the Unknown Soldier, another highly rated movie. Each of the two went home with N5m worth of wardrobe money, endowed by the Ilorin-based firm Wura Fadaka.
Dignitaries at the event included the first lady of Kwara State Amb. Olufolake AbdulRazaq; House of Representatives member, Mukhtar Shagaya; state legislators; cabinet members; commanders of the different security services; Aare Abisoye Fagade of the National Institute of Tourism and Hospitality; and thoughts leaders such as Engr Suleiman Alapansapa of the Ilorin Durbar Committee; Raheem Adedoyin, a former commissioner and International Press Institute board member; and Femi Sani, founder of Flow FM Ilorin.
Renowned thespian, Patrick Doyle called the awards a huge success and commended Governor Abdulrazaq for his impressive performance as could be seen on the streets of Ilorin.
“We don’t like to hail politicians, but I need to commend what I have seen in Ilorin. It is a very clean and beautiful city. I commend Your Excellency for this,” Kanayo said.
Bamishigbin commended the Governor for the peace and harmony that Kwara enjoys, while Samuel Olatunji (Big Sam), an influential digital creator, said the emerging infrastructure and the aura of Ilorin now compare to what obtains in Lagos.
Seun Oloketuyi, BON Awards founder, thanked the governor and his team for the honour and projection of the state as a top player in the creative sector.
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