Entertainment

Viewers, fashion, glamour and the AMVCA

Published

4 years ago

March 20, 2020

By Gbenga Bada

The announcement of the inaugural edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards at Wheatbaker in 2012 clearly stated the essence, motive, and focus of the movie awards ceremony.

Under the supervision of John Ugbe, the Chief Executive Officer of Multichoice Nigeria, and Biola Alabi, who was the senior executive for M-Net Africa, the first edition of the award was held in Lagos, Nigeria on March 9, 2013.

The organisers clearly stated that the ceremony was mainly to celebrate film and TV talent behind and in front of the camera – and give the viewers the power to determine their winners.

Like the last six editions, the 2020 AMVCAs registered itself as the 7th edition held by Multichoice after a hiatus in 2019.

As always, Lagos, Nigeria was jam-packed with beehives of activities between Wednesday, March 11 and Saturday, March 14, 2020. Eko Hotel and Suites, Eko signatures as well as other hospitality outfits on Victoria Island were filled with guests and dignitaries – some who came from other African countries.

Stepping into the premises of the hospitality outfit, you can’t miss the buzz the rented the air on Saturday morning as the organisers put finishing touches to the red carpet and venue.

The ambiance of the red carpet down to the waiting hall and the main Eko Expo Hall leaves one with the experience of attending a world-class event. Movie stars, musicians, comedians, directors, scriptwriters, and movie personalities littered the expansive red carpet area waiting to be interviewed or pictured before going into the waiting hall. It looked like an unending cycle with TV show producers and hosts struggling to get one celebrity or the other to their stationed cameras.

In all these, even the feared COVID-19 failed to stop individuals from basking in the euphoria of the night, which kicked off at exactly 4 PM.

Interestingly, the organisers are aware and conscious of the need to take health seriously. Hence, on getting to the red carpet, every guest is presented with a sanitizer and tissue to remain safe all through the ceremony. Even the ex-Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu and ex-Senator Dino Melaye weren’t exempted in the protocol.

The night was devoid of dull moments as the programmes flowed sequentially leaving guests to enjoy the night with brilliant performances from 2baba Innocent Idibia and others.

As expected, and after the last award was given, Saturday night kicked off another round of talks of how the organisers should have held the award ceremony, who should have won what and what is the essence of the award ceremony.

Organisers of the award have clearly and repeatedly noted that for every edition, the viewers will have the opportunity to choose, who wins seven different categories. The categories include Best Actor in a Comedy (Movie/TV Series);

Best Actor in a Drama (Movie/TV Series); Best Actress in a Comedy (Movie/TV Series); Best Actress in a Drama (Movie/TV Series); Best Supporting Actor (Movie/TV Series); Best Supporting Actress (Movie/TV Series); and Best Short Film or Online Video.

The award ceremony kicked off with 26 categories but increased it to 28 categories in the 7th edition. Out of the 28 categories, viewers were allowed to choose winners in seven categories while a panel of judges decided on who wins the other 21 categories. For the 20202 edition, Femi Odugbemi, a respectable filmmaker and art connoisseur was the head of the judges. Before now, Debbie Odutayo, a veteran consummate Television Producer held the position.

The injection of the best-dressed category into the award ceremony has become another reason for discourse since Saturday but the critics failed to note that the organisers have repeatedly said the AMVCA is Africa’s most prestigious celebration of film and TV talent behind and in front of the cameras. Hence, the need for glamour and fashion to accompany showbusiness for viewers to appreciate, consume and enjoy.

As its name implies, the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards is Multichoice’s way of giving the power to decide to the multitude of viewers and subscribers even while rewarding practitioners, who are behind the camera.

It’s no surprise that Funke Akindele-Bello won the category for Best Actress in a Comedy with the fanbase she has created across Africa with her Jenifa character. The same way no one should raise an eyebrow over Funnybone winning Best Actor in a Comedy or Toyin Abraham and Timini Egbuson for winning Best Actress and Best Actor in a drama. Toyin and Timini have been able to amass a dedicated fanbase across several social media platforms through their roles and interactions with fans.

It’s easy to take to social media to drag the organisers of AMVCA for not rewarding the actor or actress you feel deserving – even when you or other fans refused or failed to vote. But remember this is an award ceremony that – like Africa Movie Awards Academy – united the African movie practitioners by giving them an opportunity and platform to exchange ideas without fear or favour.

Whatever your choice, try and encourage other fans to vote for their favourite movie stars in the seven categories and hopefully, you will celebrate the AMVCAs again.

Entertainment

Music Artiste, Sammie Okposo Dies, aged 51

Published

10 months ago

November 25, 2022

Sunrise Nigeria

Gospel Singer Sammie Okposo has died at 51

According to reports online, the highly talented music producer slumped Friday morning and died.

Earlier this year, Sammie made headlines after he publicly apologized to his wife, Ozioma for cheating on her with another lady in the United States.

Recall that on January 24, an American-based lady identified as African Doll accused him of impregnating her during one of his tours in the US.

The lady said the gospel singer hid his marital status from her when she met him in Dallas and they started an intimate affair which eventually led to the pregnancy.

African Doll said when she discovered she was pregnant and told Sammie about it, his attitude changed and he abandoned her after asking her to abort it and she refused.

Sammie later confessed to having an extramarital affair with the lady when he tendered a public apology to his wife, family, friends, and fans on his Instagram page.

The gospel singer deactivated his Instagram account amid the backlash over the issue. He also revealed that he will be stepping back from ministerial work until “full restoration”

In the apology which was shared on his Instagram page, the singer lamented over the incident which happened in 2021 and also declared that he was now free from sin.

Entertainment

We’re Harnessing Technology to Reposition Arts and Culture in Nigeria – Runsewe

Published

1 year ago

September 11, 2022

Sunrise Nigeria

By Cecilia Ijuo

The Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, says the agency is harnessing technology to reposition the arts and culture sub-sector in Nigeria.

Runsewe told the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) in Abuja on Sunday that technology came in handy for the agency during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

He said NCAC was one of the agencies that continued its activities to promote the country’s values due to its ability to deploy technology.

Runsewe said with the use of technology, the agency was able to carry out its activities with little or no hitch, adding that there was minimal human contact.

“During COVID-19 pandemic, the agency was one of the few sub-sectors that were busy with activities.

“We were having forum every Saturday then.

“We were the only ones that had a drive in theatre, where people could watch from their cars.

“We also had a radio network that was connected to car radios within the vicinity to making it easy for people to have clear audio, ” he said.

Runsewe said given the dynamic nature of the society, it was only proper for the agency to keep up with the times to make meaningful impact.

He said, “there is no way you can transfer information that technology will not be involved, so it is critical.

“Part of what we do is to adopt technology, particularly in our effort to reach the youth, who are technology savvy.

“We all know we cannot reach them effectively without the use of technology.”

The NCAC boss said the agency would continue to advance its use of technology for the development of the culture and tourism sector and the country at large.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that recent Gross Domestic Product (GDP) report by National Bureau of Statistics indicated that Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector contributed 18.44 per cent to Nigeria’s GDP in the second quarter of 2022.

It further reports that the sector saw a 6.55 per cent growth rate from first the first quarter 2022.(NAN)

Entertainment

Veteran Musician, Sir Victor Uwaifo, is Dead

Published

2 years ago

August 28, 2021

Sunrise Nigeria

Legendary singer and guitarist, Sir Victor Uwaifo has been reported dead. He was 80 years.

Uwaifo, who released hits after hits in fast tempo highlife music was said to have died, after a brief illness.

One of his monikers was ‘Guitar Boy’, a name that stuck with him after a song with same title.

The Joromi artist died at home today.

Uwaifo, who served as Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism in Edo State of Nigeria between 2001 and 2003, was born on March 1, 1941, in Benin City.

He attended Western Boys High School in his hometown and later, St Gregory’s College, Lagos.

Sir (Prof) Victor Uwaifo

He subsequently proceeded to Yaba College of Technology, Lagos from where he obtained a National Art Diploma with distinction and shone as an outstanding athlete.

He received a B.A Hons, First Class, Fine and Applied Arts from the University of Benin and a Masters’ Degree in Sculpting from the same university.

He also obtained a Ph.D in Architectural Sculpture from the same university where he has been a Professor for several years.

In March, he marked his 80th birthday, which was turned into a carnival of sort, to celebrate his contributions not just to music, but also to creative arts.

Uwaifo had a Doctor of Letters (D.Litt) Degree (Honoris) by the University of Benin; the Benin National Merit Award; the University of Benin Distinguished Alumnus Award and the National Honour of Member of the Order of the Niger by the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

In 2010, Prof. Uwaifo was one of the select Nigerians awarded the fellowship of the Nigerian Academy of Letters at a grand event at the University of Lagos.