AMAA 2016 Award Ceremony In Retrospect

The African Movie
Academy Awards, AMAA 2016 graciously hosted by the Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike had its premiere in the Niger Delta during the era of late D.S.P. Alamieyesegha as governor of Bayelsa State.
Since then, the event had consistently been taking place in Bayelsa State. This year, however, the people of Rivers State were given the privilege to savour the priceless feeling of freedom and happiness this vent has always brought with it.
Penultimate week, Rivers people mixed and mingled with the show-biz greats from all over Africa and beyond who came either to perform or attend this all dazzling show of the time.
The day before the grand performance, visitors were chaperoned around the Garden City of Port Harcourt to see for themselves the beauty and hospitality of the Rivers people. The day was rounded off with guests making bold crawl to a prestigious night club to unwind themselves.
At last, the great day came. The Obi Wali Cultural Centre was bustting in its seams with visitors. It was a star-studded event where the movie greats like Olu Jacobs, Joke Silva, Pete Edochie, “Osofia”, Kanayo O. Kanayo etc took their rightful position.
Stretching one’s neck, one could see the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, representing the Federal Government. The Senate also was fully represented by none other than the charismatic former Senate President, Senator David Mark. One personality that could not be forgotten in the culture world at least not in Nigeria and seated patiently for the performance of the day, was Chief Edem Duke, the former Culture Minister. Other notables came from all over the country, some with circumspection on what to see and feel in Rivers State and others to affirm its alluring hospitality.
For a starter, the audience was thrilled with various cultural dances from Kalabari, Bonny, Andoni etc, all festooned with costumes of shimmering colours.
The Rivers State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mrs. Tonye Oniyide, in her welcome address stated the reasons for hosting the event. According to her, the AMAA event is to showcase and revitalise the culture of Rivers people which undoubtedly abound with richness across the length and breath of the state. She went on to stress that Rivers State is very safe and has the compelling choice for investors to take the opportunity to invest in tourism in the state.
Shots of notable departed stars were shown later as the audience reminisced on their hay days of outstanding performance in the Nigeria movie industry.
An artist who took the audience to another zone of entertainment was the flute/piano playing performer who, with such dexterity, kept the audience salivating for more. The atmosphere in the hall became electrified with cheers of appreciation by the audience when he was joined by a moon-walking duo.
Alhaji Mohammed, in his address stated how happy he was to be in Rivers State for the first time since the present government came into being. The minister went on to reiterate the unbeatable reach of the AMAA project which according to him, has attracted national and international acclaim for many years. He thanked the Rivers State government for accepting to host the 2016 event.
He was also full of commendation for the proficiency of the project and thanked AMAA organisers for showcasing the African film industry to the world. He pointed out how AMAA’s work had gone to repudiate those negative images of Africa being portrayed by western media. He assured the organisers of the Federal Government’s readiness to partner with them to produce films not only of international standard but also to change the negative image of Africa and Africans.
“We must use our films to change the narrative of western media of Africa,” he said.
The event reached its crescendo when the Rivers State governor, Chief Nyesom Wike took to the podium. There were cheers from the audience as Governor Wike seized the occasion to enumerate his achievements in the last one year, especially how he turned the state into a huge construction site. According to him, Rivers State can boast of more than 100km length of road completed within one year.
Governor Wike reminded the audience of the unmatchable space Rivers State occupies in Nigeria. The state is unarguably the hub of oil exploration and exploitation, producing more than 80% of the oil and gas that has sustained the entire nation for many decades.
The governor also pointed out how he had tackled the issue of security in the state, making it conducive for people doing business and those living in Rivers State having no fear of any sort.
Governor Wike enumerated some national events that had taken place in Rivers State peacefully in the last one year. These events included the National Bar Association (NBA) Convention, the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) National Convention and now AMAA event.” He promised that more national events would be hosted by the State in the future.
To the governor, hosting the AMAA award ceremony and other events like the NBA convention and PDP national convention.in Rivers State makes a huge statement, that the state is well secured and a haven for foreign investment. He, however, implored AMAA organizers to tell the world what they had seen and witnessed in Rivers State.
He finally thanked the organisers of AMAA for their effort in promoting the film industry in Nigeria, while also congratulating the award winners.
No sooner the governor had ended his address than clips of his achievements were shown. These include the state of roads before and after their repairs and the state of housing project before and after their completion.
The event ended with awards given to deserving films actors and actresses in various categories.
The coordinator of AMAA, the scion of Anyiam Osugwe Anyiam, Mrs Peace Osugwe thanked Surveyor Sam Agwor and the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mrs. Tonye Oniyide, immediately for making it possible for the event to to place in Rivers State for the first time.
With such shows in Rivers State, the state has created a nice lane for herself alongside all other entertainment cities in Nigeria. We believe Rivers State will be an entertainment Mecca in the future.
The AMAA award ceremonies could be put on every conceivable best of awards list one can imagine like the BET, and Grammy Awards in the developed world.
Thom-Manuel, a social critic, writes from Port Harcourt.

Nimi Thom-Manuel