The Glitz at the BON Awards

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After two postponements, the anticipated Best of Nollywood Awards took place in Asaba on the fifth of this month. With all the wait, much was expected from the awards and at the end of the day, the organisers came out with a successful outing. The event held at the Dome event centre. The first thing that will catch your eye is the very long red carpet that led to the venue. Organisers had promised that they will attempt to break the world record for having the longest red carpet at any event.

Greeting guests to the event is a traditional troupe which continuously sang traditional tunes till the event proper started about 9:30pm. The Master of ceremony was Gbenga Adeyinka The First who also doubled as a comedian as he cracked joke after joke, loosening tension of nominees who are yet to know if they will win or not.

Opening the event officially is the Commissioner for culture and tourism in the State, Richard Mofe-Damijo. In his speech, he regarded Delta State as the home of Nollywood. He said this while sighting the recent influx of movie makers to the state and the large number of movies churned out from the state week after week. Representing the Governor was the deputy governor, Professor Amos Agbe Utuama (SAN). In his own speech, he thanked best of Nollywood for bringing the awards to Delta State saying that Nollywood is steadily becoming a major revenue earner for the country and has the potential to overtake oil. 

There were other performances by comedians and musicians as well. Capital F.E.M.I was on stage with his hit blues songs also were Comedians include; I go Dye, Don, Igos, and I go save. There was a special appearance by the Afro juju creator, Sir Shina Peters.

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The awards went forth. The Best Actor in a Leading Role (English) went to, OC Ukeje for his role in Alan Poza. Best Actress in a Leading Role (English)was won by Omoni Oboli for taking part in Brother’s Keeper.The Best Actor in a Leading Role (Yoruba) category surprisingly went to an Ibo actor, Mike Ezuruonye for his role in the movie ‘Unforgivable’. Best Actress in a Leading Role (Yoruba)is Joke Muyiwa while The Best Actor in a Supporting Role (English)was taken by Alex Ekubo.

Other awards were; Best Actress in a Supporting Role (English) which Rita Dominic won for ‘Finding Mercy’. Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Yoruba) was carted home by Odunlade Adekola for his work in ‘Aja’. Best Actress in aSupporting Role (Yoruba)was won by Fathia Balogun. The Most Promising Act of the Year (Male)went to Kola Ajeyemi for his role in ‘Were Meta’. Most Promising Act of the Year (Male) was won last year by Alex Okubo but this year went to Sylvya Oluchy

The awards for the children came next. Best Child Actor (Male) was given to Asimiyu Uthman Omokunmi who acted in ‘Ifa Iwa’. Best Child Actor (Female) was taken by Oyinda Lanpejo for her role in ‘Finding Mercy’. Koffi’s movie, ‘Nanny’ won the Best Comedy category while The Movie with Best Social Message was given to ‘Journey to Self’. Best Kiss in a Movie was that of Ibironke Ashaolu and Wale Akanbi in the movie ‘Unforgivable’. Onga Best Use of Nigerian Food in a Movie was given to ‘In Her Shoes’. The Best Short Movie is ‘Epitaph’.

Then came the technical categories. Movie with the Best Special Effect is ‘Judgment Night’. The Best Screenplay was that of ‘Confusion Na Wa’. ‘Confusion Na Wa’ also carted home the award for the Movie with Best Production Design. Movie with Best Sound went to Cobweb. Director of the Year is Kenneth Gyang for his movie, ‘Confusion Na Wa’. Confusion Na Wa also was crowned the movie of the year. Best Use of Costume went to ‘Twin Sword’

Revelation of the Year (Female) is Laitan Ogungbele while Revelation of the Year (Male) is Charles Billion Pius. Saturday Independent’s Hazeez Balogun was named Movie Journalist ofthe Year. Divine Touch, was the Marketer of the year.

There were also some funny moments at the event. The first artiste on stage was a young artiste named G-Spliff who made a total fool of himself on stage. His performances failed to impress and to add insult to injury, he lost one of his shoes on stage. Instead of him to continue performing as a professional, he tried to put the shoe back on. Then was the attire of actress Adaora Ukoh. Her outfit could be better described as leopard jumpsuit. It was a leopard skin made into a jumpsuit. Everyone giggled as she walked around the hall. Another attention grabber was Sir Shina Peters. He refused to sit down on his sit through-out the event. He went from table to table taking pictures. This created a lot of distraction as people guests were looking at him instead of what was going on on stage.

On the whole, this fifth edition of the Best of Nollywood Award is the biggest and the most attended of all. It shows that the organisers have put more thought into logistics and details. In a chat with Fidelis Duker who was also at the event, “manycomplain that there are too many awards for Nollywood, but BON has been an award that recognises those that may never be recognised by huge awards like African Movie Academy Awards(AMAA) and Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards(AMVCA). It is the real awards for Nollywood either you are making Yoruba, Hausa or Ibo movies.”