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Africans gather to celebrate the fifth edition of AMVCA

BLOW TO BLOW ACCOUNT OF THE EVENT

The fifth edition of the biggest award in Africa, Africa Magic Viewers Choice Award (AMVCA), held at the Expo Hall of Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Saturday, March 3, 2017, was a success by miles, though it was obvious the organizers felt the brunt of the recession.

However, they successfully staged a magnificent show that had in attendance entertainment giants. The glitz, glamour the award is known for permeated the atmosphere as guests and celebrities basked in it.

34 coveted gold statuettes were clinched by deserving movie practitioners. As usual, Nigerian entertainers had an upper hand carting away most of the trophies. ENCOMIUM Weekly brings you the tit-bits and timeline of the much acclaimed event.

 

THE SPONSORS

Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards was proudly sponsored by MTN, Toptea, Konga, Verve, Multichoice, Africa Magic and GAC Motors.

MTN sponsored four awards – Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director and overall Best Movie.

Toptea also sponsored four awards while Konga gave out N100,000 shopping vouchers to three guests. The guests were picked through a raffle draw while the show was on. Konga also gave a shopping voucher of N250,000 to Best actress in comedy won by Funke Akindele Bello.

 

THE VENUE

Prestigious hospitality home played host for the fifth time to AMVCA. This time around, the gigantic award plaques were conspicuously positioned close to the red carpet.

The event kicked off with a red carpet. Celebrities took turns to take snap shots before moving to the cocktail area. At about 6.45pm, officials of the award ceremony started ushering guests into the hall.

 

MEET THE HOST

For the fifth time in the history of AMVCA, the hottest and finest host from Nigeria, IK Osakioduwa graced the stage again with a South African counterpart, Minenhle Minnie Dlamini.

IK is not a new comer to the game. He has mastered his craft, no wonder he has remained the host of the show from inception.

He was grouchy on stage but his subtle jabs and jokes flowed ceaselessly. The duo of IK and Mimi added drama, fun, humour to the award night.

 

7.00 PM

The award ceremonies kicked off at exactly 7pm. Talented music artist Timi Dakolo  and Bolanle  Austin Peters Dance Troupe opened the show with a dramatic and electrifying performance that received thunderous standing ovation.

Thumbs up to Timi Dakolo who gave a good account of his craft giving a superlative rendition of This is Africa. Timi has proved he is miles ahead of others when it comes to singing.

 

7:12 PM

The first award was presented by beautiful thespian, Linda Ejiofor at 7:2pm. She presented the award for Best Make up Artist. Hakeem Onilogbo Ajibola and Perekeme Odon for Olobiri clinched the award. More awards were given after these. They include Best Costume Designer, Best Art Director, Best Sound Director and Best Picture Editor.

 

7:29 PM

There were few minutes interlude while the show lasted.  The first break was at 7. 29 pm.

2016 first runner up of The Voice, Chike Ezekpeazu Osebuka mounted the stage and performed Fancy you. He was accompanied by two beautiful dancers who unleashed sexy dance steps.

 

7:33 PM

At 7.33pm, curvy singer cum actress, Shaffy Bello presented an award to the Best Lighting Design in Movie/TV Series. The award was won by Elliott Sewepe in the movie, 93 Days.

Best Cinematographer, Best Short Film Online, Best Documentary, Best Lighting Design were also presented before another break.

 

7:43 PM

Fela Anikulapo Kuti reincarnated in the second break

Eight Kalakuta Queens danced to hit song from Abami Eda’s repertoire, while Fela’s look alike came on stage and performed Open and Close, Yellow fever, I wan tell you about lady.

Bolanle Austin Peters Dance Troupe, sure did a good job. Guests couldn’t help but to give them thunderous applause after the performance.

 

7:58 PM

New set of awards were presented after the second break. AMVCA Recognition Award for Best Mnet Drama Series was created to celebrate Mnet original series. The nominees were selected by viewers just like other awards.  Six awards were given in this category. Best Actress in Comedy Mnet Series, Best Actor in Comedy Mnet Series, Best Actress in Drama Mnet Series, Best Actor in Drama Mnet Series, Best Mnet Drama Series, Best Comedy Series. The presentations came to a close at 8:13 pm.

 

8:14 PM

It was time to remember the fallen heroes in the entertainment industry. Sonorous singer and winner of The Voice 2016, Arase performed a dirge in honour of the fallen heroes. Names of entertainment faithful who had passed on rolled on the screen. It was indeed an emotional moment when Bukky Ajayi’s picture she took at last year’s AMVCA loomed on the screen.

 

8:19 PM

It was time for the third break which lasted a couple of minutes. Background music was on while the hosts went to change their attires. The break ended shortly thereafter.

 

8:21 PM

Lira, a beautiful South African artiste came on stage and performed her hit song, Be about it.

She won hearts with her captivating and sonorous voice which lingered for long after she dropped the mic.

 

8:27PM

The show continued with Toptea sponsored awards which were in four categories, Best Local Language Movie in Swahili, Best Hausa Movie, Best Indigenous Language – Yoruba Movie, Best Indigenous Language – Igbo movie. Two other awards were presented before the show went on another break. They were Best Sound Track, Best Television Series.

 

8:48PM

Konga, one of the proud sponsors of the award took over the stage to present shopping vouchers to the lucky winners. Three lucky guests won shopping vouchers of N100,000 each. They were selected after a raffle draw on the stage and cheques were handed over to the lucky winners. After the presentation of cheques, more award plaques were handed over to the winners and then another break.

 

9:15PM

At 9:15 pm, gifted singer, Simi took over the stage and performed her love song, Love don’t know care. Guests sang her praise to high heavens for the wondrous rendition. The show resumed shortly after she came down the stage.

 

9:19PM

It was time for the trailblazer award which was presented by the immediate past winner in that category, Lala Akindoju. A brief profile of beautiful actress, Somkhele Idlahama who won the award was read. Thereafter, key to her car was handed over to her by the manager of GAC Motors.

The Industry Merit Award was also presented at this stage. The winner, Chief Chika Okpala, a.k.a Chief Zebrudaya of The New Masquerade fame matched up stage to receive his award. A brief profile of Chief Okpala was read and key to his GS4 SUV from GAC Motors was handed over to him. More award plaques were given to the best movie, East Africa, best movie, West Africa, Best Movie; South Africa and then, the fifth break at 9:44pm.

 

9:44 PM

The show continued with a duet from Nigerian artiste, Waje and South African singer, Lira. Whose report will you believe was the title. It was performed for the first time at the AMVCA. The song was put together to denounce xenophobic attack. The captivating collabo thrilled and earned the artistes accolades.

 

9:53 PM

It was time for more award plaques to go to their winners, Best Actress in Drama, Movie/ TV Series. Best Actor in Drama Movie/TV Series, Best Director, Best Overall Movie were the awards that rounded off the show. The host finally called it a day at 10:15pm.

 

76 WINS BIG

76, the movie that chronicled the history of Nigeria’s military coups was the biggest winner. It won in five categories – Best Director, Best Overall Movie, Best Costume Designer. The movie was produced by Izu Ojukwu and Adonija Owiriwa.

 

MERCY JOHNSON STEPS OUT

Curvy actress, Mercy Johnson was present at the award. If not for the wedding band on her finger, she could pass for a single lady. She was looking all beautiful and gorgeous. Her killer hips were more noticeable and she has lost all pregnancy fat. We are sure she is set to hit location again. She was garbed in a flowing black robe.

 

FUNKE AKINDELE PRAISES HUSBAND TO HIGH HEAVENS

Talented thespian, Funke Akindele Bello is sure enjoying her marriage. She is also grateful to her husband who has been a pillar of support. She had this to say as she collected her award. “Thank God I married this man. I was practically living on location while we were shooting Jenifa’s Diary. He has been a great pillar of support to my career”.

 

WHAT WAS MISSING THIS YEAR

The fifth edition of AMVCA was a success, no doubt. However, we noticed slight changes in the organization which usually added colour and glamor to the show but was absent this year.  Here are some of the things we noticed.

 

THE PURSE LIKE INVITES

Usually, invites for the award come in a purse like case that could serve as a complimentary card holder. This year was different, invites were handed to guests in a small black envelope.

 

LODGING OF NOMINEES

Nominees for the AMVCA were usually lodged at least a day to the show. They were usually lodged at Eko Hotel and Suites till the event was over but this year, nominees were only lodged on the day of the event and they were to check out at day break.

 

PUBLICITY

So much publicity usually heralded the event. Print, electronic media and billboards would advertise the award. Days before it’s commencement, there would be publicity to announce the host. Last year, guests were welcomed with stickers right from Adetokunbo Ademola the street that leads to Eko Hotel and Suites.  Gigantic plaques were usually placed a at strategic locations.

However, some people were taken by surprise this year. There was limited publicity prior to the show.   No sticker to welcome guests as usual and just a few gigantic plaques were positioned close to the red carpet.

 

USHERS

Beautiful, tall ladies in floor sweeping gowns usually welcome guests at strategic positions. From the red carpet to the hall, they were usually seen welcoming and directing guests to their appropriate seats. This was also missing this year.

 

NO FINGER FOODS

There used to be finger foods and a lot of drinks at the cocktail area. You could have as much as possible as you prance the cocktail area. This year, it was just cocktail drinks from the stable of Toptea and it was not a lavish affair. At exactly 7.00 pm, servers announced that they had exhausted their drinks. Late comers had only water to drink.

 

THE GALAXY OF STARS

There used to be a galaxy of stars that cut across all segments of entertainments – comedy, music, acting.

Screen divas were missing this year. Faces we long to see were not in attendance. There were more of regular people in attendance. The likes of Omotola Jalade, Genevieve Nnaji, Mercy Aigbe, Doris Simon, Oluchi Orlandi, OC Ukeje, Stephanie Linus and lots more were nowhere close to the awards.

  • SHADE WESLEY-METIBOGUN
Encomium

Written by Encomium

A media, tech and events company.

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