AHBEA Stars Night: Glitz, glamour as African entertainment stars set to gather in Houston

Some of Africa’s finest entertainers will gather at the Bellagio Banquet Hall, Houston, Texas, on Sunday, 21st October to be honoured by the organisers of the prestigious Afro-Heritage Broadcasting and Entertainment Awards, AHBEA. However, it’s not for the awards ceremony itself.

In a statement by the organisers, Tayo Ibikunle, the executive producer, announced that, unlike previous years, the awards ceremony will not take place this year due to logistical reasons.

However, he said, “We still want to retain the lustre and glamour and reverence of the AHBEA, which is why we are putting together the AHBEA Stars Night to fill in the gap. It will also have all the trappings of the glamorous ceremony, but award plaques will not be presented.”

Highly sought after by stars and stakeholders of the African entertainment industry, the AHBEA Awards is an annual event established in 2015 to show appreciation, honour, and celebrate eminent Africans who have contributed to the development of the industry through their crafts and talents, especially in the entertainment and broadcasting sectors.

Over the years, the AHBEA has become a permanent fixture on the entertainment calendar in Africa and the United States as notable personalities, icons, and experts from various sectors, captains of industry, business magnates, and international celebrities vie for the opportunity to witness the event.

Created by Nigerian film star, Yomi Fash-Lanso, and generously funded by Sola Olaniyan, a successful entertainment enthusiast turned investor, who is now known as HRM Oba Yisa ‘Sola Adeniyi Olaniyan, the Onipokia of Ipokia Kingdom, a first-class Oba in Ogun State, the AHBEA has honoured several African stars in two distinct categories – legend and Icon.

“One of the criteria for selection is that every recipient must have a proven track record and must have been in the industry for no less than 30 years for the Legend category and 20 years for the Icon category,” stated Ọba Olaniyan.

Some past winners included Taiwo Hassan, Kunle Afolayan, Patronella Diedricks, Raymond Ofula, Antar Laniyan, Ruth Maingi, Jide Kosoko, Zack Orji, Ella Mensah, Adebayo Salami, Fred Amata and Iyabo Ojo.

Others were Bolaji Amusan, Bob Manuel-Udokwu, Faithia Balogun, Yinka Quadri, Bukky Wright, Seyi Law, Idowu Philips, Lenny Juma, Gbenga Adeyinka, and Kenny Blaq, to mention but few.