Entertainment
Legends Of Nollywood Awards Garner More Support
The third Edition of Leg
ends of Nollywood Awards slated for December 6th, 2014 have garnered more support to make the event a memorable one. The latest support came from NEXIM Bank, slot and the Aruma Otteh led Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) which have signified their intensions to partner the awards this year.
The founder of the awards, Mr Paul Obazele said in a press conference penultimate week that the Nigerian movie industry had had a rich history as a result of the untiring zeal and creativity of the pioneers who overcame enormous odds and challenges to birth an industry that has gained global recognition.
The legends and veterans of the industry are known as the legends of Nollywood. They need to be recognised and acknowledged for their body of works.”
The veteran actor and founder of the awards said the awards project is to ensure that the labours of our heroes past shall not be in vain”. He stressed that although members of the organising committee were still compiling list of awardees, veterans such as Sony Irabor, Bisi Olafilo, Patience Ozorkwo a.k.a Mama G, Jide Kosoko, Oga Bello, Mama Awero, Pete Edochie, Taiwo Ajayi Lycet and Ene Oloja are among those to be honoured this year.
It would be recalled that the likes of Richard Mofe Damijo (RMD), Abiola Atanda, Liz Benson, Edmond Anaibe and David Orere were among those honoured during previous events.
Obazele explained that apart from the awards plaques, the organising committee had instituted health insurance policy for recipients. According to him, the insurance scheme is sponsored by SEC, NEXIM Bank, SLOT and CAG Motors among other.
The committee is also in touch with governors of the states of the honourees on the possibility of availing the awardees of other benefits.
Other activities include, autograph signing event by some top Nollywood stars and a movie show for the less privileged.
R&B star, Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has recounted the early-career challenges she faced, revealing that she was once booed out of the stage while performing at a school event.
Speaking in an interview with Newsmen, the Crazy Tings crooner shared that she wasn’t only booed but was also harassed with plastic bottles.
“I remember one time I was going to perform at my school as an up-and-coming singer and I thought I was going to receiving a standing ovation.
“But I got booed. They even threw plastic bottles at me,” she recalled.
Tems explained that despite the embarrassing incident and other such rejections, she remained determined to pursue a career in music.
The Tide Entertainment reports that Tems admitted that some of the initial rejections she faced could be due to her conviction to stick to her originality instead of doing covers or familiar sounds like most of her peers.
The Grammy-winning singer said looking back now, she is glad that she didn’t compromise her style despite the initial pressures.
A close associate of late singer Mohbad, Primeboy, has appealed for the artiste’s burial nearly three years after his death.
According to him, Mohbad’s body remains in the mortuary since September 12, 2023, pending burial arrangements.
The Tide Entertainment reports that in a statement Primeboy urged the family, public, and government to permit the burial, stating, “It’s been almost three years since Mohbad left us. His body is still in the mortuary. I’m begging the family, I’m begging the public, I’m begging the government, please let’s bury our brother. He deserves a befitting burial.”
It would be recalled that Mohbad’s death sparked public outrage, protests, and investigations. Ongoing autopsy examinations, police inquiries, and legal proceedings have delayed burial arrangements amid family disagreements and public scrutiny.