The organizers of the revered African Jewel Award, African Focus Incorporated (AFI), US, has picked Stephanie Okereke, an award-winning Nollywood actress, as one of the recipients at this year’s event. Sexy Okereke will be recognized during the 2009 Annual African Goodwill Awards dinner on April 25.
According to the organizers, Okereke's tenacity, wit, intelligence, grace and natural acting abilities has earned her a reputation as one of the best actresses on the African continent and in Nollywood, the third largest film industry in the world. A graduate of English and Literal studies, Okereke made her first venture into film in 1997. By 2003, she had already won the Reel Awards "Best Actress" for her role in the movie "Emotional Crack.” In 2005, she was a nominee for the Africa Movie Academy Awards [AMAA]. On her way to AMAA, however, tragedy struck when she was involved in a terrible car accident that left her with a broken leg and burns on her face and hands. Okereke, with a fighting and determined spirit, bounced back and by 2006, she won the Afro-Hollywood Awards, Film Makers USA Award for Excellence with subsequent awards in 2007 for the Miriam Makeba Award for Excellence and 2008 Beyond the Tears Humanitarian Awards for her work against
rape and vesico vaginal fistula and HIV/AIDS.
Not satisfied with being just an actress and wanting to create a voice and other roles for African women in Africa's film industry, Okereke came to the United States to study film at the New York Film Academy at Universal Studios, Los Angeles. Armed with her knowledge, intelligence, determination and creativity, Okereke established her production company "Next Page Productions" and has recently expanded her portfolio to include the titles of director, writer and producer in her first feature Hollywood-Nollywood hybrid film, "Through the Glass," creating what she hopes is a preview of the direction and roles African women will embrace in the film industry. Amazingly, the film is up for nomination in this year’s AMAA, for the Best Picture category. Other distinguished nominees alongside Miss Okereke, in the forthcoming award include: US born and Grammy award winning singer, Chaka Khan, Dame Patience Goodluck Jonathan, Monique, Hope Foye and apostle
Frederick Price.
UBA pledges more support for AMAA
As plans for the fifth edition of Africa’s most glamourous and talked about movie awards reaches feverish pitch, United Bank for Africa, has further pledged its unalloyed support, commitment and continued sponsorship of the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), as a demonstration of its good intentions to always promote the art and entertainment industry.
The bank noted that the award, which has been embraced across Africa going by amount of entries for this year’s edition from all parts of the continent, is designed to promote creative excellence and healthy rivalry among filmmakers on the continent.
UBA has been the title sponsor of the awards for the second year running, with a belief that the continent really needs a credible platform to reward and recognize practitioners within the movie industry who use their works to propagate African culture and patrimony.
“The United Bank for Africa – Africa’s global bank is proud to be the title sponsor of the African Movie Academy Awards. UBA-AMAA exist as a platform to reward filmmakers, actors, actresses and other creative professionals involved in the film making process,’ said Abdul Abubakar, of the Events and Sponsorship unit of the bank.
According to the bank, it has become imperative for corporate organizations to partner with the entertainment industry through sponsorships and projects funding, as the sector is currently contributing significantly to the economy of Africa.
‘’UBA recognizes the immense value they contribute not just to the African economy and to global society as well. African film is a much underrated communications platform. African filmmakers are ambassadors for our continent. Their work is a testimony to the fact that good things do indeed come out of Africa. Their work tells our stories, our hopes and our dreams, and UBA is proud to be associated with the very best of the industry. We are also proud to be working with Bayelsa State government, this year’s host and co-sponsor of the UBA-AMAA.”
O’ Jez to honour Peter Igho
All is now set for the grand reception of Mr. Peter Igho, the veteran TV personality, by the organizers of the monthly O’Jez Entertainment Forum.
The event, which coincides with the birthday of Mr. Igho, also a former top shot at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), holds in the evening of this Sunday, March 29, 2009, at the upscale O’ Jez Entertainment Centre, tucked inside the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.
Pic-Igho
According to the Forum’s Chairman, Mr. Zack Orji, who is also a popular Nollywood actor and filmmaker; the celebrant is being hosted for his immense contributions to the growth and development of entertainment in Nigeria and African in general. “We are all aware that the name, Peter Igho, is synonymous with entertainment on our continent and even beyond. While at NTA, he pioneered several interesting programmes and even helped in the grooming of some of the successful filmmakers and actors operating in Nollywood today.
His contributions in the entertainment sector as well as the arts and culture, are too numerous to mention. And in our own humble way, we have decided to also honour him on the occasion of his forthcoming birthday. And he has graciously accepted to grace the event with his entourage” revealed Mr. Orji.
Meanwhile, it would be recalled that the repackaged monthly Forum had in the past-hosted popular entertainers like: Nkem Owoh, Jide Kosoko, Madam Kofo, Mitchell Obi, Christy Essien Igbokwe & others.
GOWA searches for true Niger Delta Women
An annual award aimed at recognizing the exceptional qualities of the genuine Niger Delta women, who in spite of the several challenges facing them and the region, have not given up, would soon be unveiled.
Tagged: Gist Outstanding Women Awards (GOWA), it further seeks to honour and celebrate the unsung heroines of the troubled region, who have achieved immensely and helped put smiles on faces through various philanthropic initiatives.
In the words of the initiator and publisher of Gist magazine Mrs. Sotonye Fulton, the Niger Delta region is a classic case of contradictions and exploitations.
The setbacks notwithstanding, she noted that the region is hugely blessed with an abundance of outstanding people, especially women, who in spite of the challenges bedeviling the region, have continued to make indelible marks in their chosen careers, with a view to moving the region forward.
“The award, which we hope to make very glamourous and attractive is in recognition of the dignity in labour and exceptional qualities of the Niger Delta women. It is hoped that by honouring these female achievers, they would in turn serve as mentors to the up and coming ones for a better tomorrow”. The award holds in June, and it is expected to attract prominent sons and daughters from the region, as well as entertainers and celebrities.
Stars, celebs dine with Basorge and family
Pic-Tariah
Doting father of three and leading entertainer Basorge Tariah and his lovely wife, Doris, recently gathered some special friends, colleagues and associates, for the one year birthday bash of their lovely daughter Serena.
The well-attended groove, which held penultimate Sunday, inside the lush gardens of the serene Ogudu GRA, Playground, Hilltop Estate, had excess victuals for all the invited guests.
As the Chief Host, Mr. Tariah, was constantly on his toes and ensured that things went smoothly at the evening gathering.
Among those at the occassion was his wife, and top actress Kate Henshaw, who breezed in from the UK, solely for the bash and Jedi, the self-acclaimed well-Fed comedian of the Federal Republic, ably supported him.
At the end of the successful soiree, the Tariahs’ could not thank enough, all those that attended the classy bash.
NOLLYWOOD FACT:
Top actress, Joke Silva, is the only Nollywood star to have won the AMA Awards twice, as Best Actress and Supporting Actress, respectively.
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