The organizers of Best of Nollywood (BON) have announced plans to recognise individuals and organisations that have contributed immensely to the growth of Nollywood in Nigeria.
The founder of the Pan-Nigerian Best Of Nollywood Awards, Mr Seun Oloketuyi, made this announcement in a statement issued to the newsmen in Lagos on Monday.
Oloketuyi explained that it was important to celebrate their known and recognised industry icons.
He said the award, which is billed to hold on Dec. 11, 2021 in Lokoja, Kogi State, promises to be the most superlative so far as the host Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi State had promised stars, guests and other industry professionals a show like no other.
The BON boss also revealed to newsmen that this year’s edition of the award will also recognise veterans in a special category.
“The recipients for special recognition awards for the 12th edition include Abiola Atanda popularly known as ‘Madam Kofo’, Africa Magic and the late industry titan, Chico Ejiro.
“Not only does this encourage the spirit of growth in the industry, but we would also be doing these three parties a major disservice if we do not recognise them.
“Madam Kofo is a veteran who has quietly worked on putting Nollywood on the map of world industries for more than five decades.
“A thespian with both stage and screen presence, Madam Kofo worked with the likes of the late Hubert Ogunde and is today still relevant. Such a woman deserves all the accolades we can give her,” Oloketuyi explained.
He said Africa Magic was perhaps another underserved brand, adding that Nollywood of today owes a lot to that brand.According to him, this is the reason ‘we have deemed it fit to recognise them and say thank you for their contributions to the industry’.
On Chico Ejiro, the BON awards founder said the special recognition, though posthumous, struck the team the most because they would have loved that he was alive to receive the award himself.
Oloketuyi said many in Nollywood owe their careers and success to Chico and though they were sad to have lost him, this award was to help people remember his enormous contribution to the industry.
BON has over the years taken Nollywood industry players and stakeholders on annual excursions to different states in Nigeria to celebrate the industry and award deserving stakeholders and Kogi State would be hosting this year’s edition.
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