-More gorgeous gowns, gists and interviews inside
It was a night of glitz, glamour, class and elegance as the crème de la crème in the entertainment industry converged for the fourth edition of the most talked about awards in Nigeria, Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA) held at the Expo Hall, of Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Saturday, March 5, 2016.
Unarguably one of the biggest in Nigeria, the award has continued to receive deafening applause from attendees for its organization.
28 coveted gold statuettes were given to deserving movie practitioners. Nigerian entertainers had an upper hand, carting away most of the trophies.
Stephanie Okereke-Linus had the highest nominations with her movie, DRY. The movie had eight nominations.
ENCOMIUM Weekly brings you tit bits from the Africa Oscars….
SPONSORS
For the fourth time in a row, Amstel Malta threw its weight behind the much acclaimed Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA) sparing no cost to ensure a successful and well applauded show.
GAC Motors also sponsored this great event by giving two GS5 SUVs to two winners (Trailbrazer Award Kemi Lala Akindoju) and (Best Overall Movie Stephanie Linus).
Dubai Tourism also announced that they would give business class tickets to the winners of the Best Actor and Best Actress categories and an all-expense paid trip to Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
EKO HOTEL WEARS RED FOR AMVCA
Reputable hospitality home and fourth time venue for AMVCA, wore a new look on Saturday, March 5, 2016. Right from the junction of Adetokunbo Ademola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, guests and nominees were welcomed with gigantic awards plaques. The entrance of the hotel as well as pillars within the premises were wrapped in AMVCA stickers. Notable of all was the red carpet. The organizers were generous with the red carpet that covered the frontage of the hotel extending to the interior as well.
THE RED CARPET
The event kicked off with a red carpet reception at exactly 4pm. Paparazzi did not miss any scene as celebrities pranced on the red carpet, taking turns as paparazzi clicked their cameras.
At about 6:45pm, ushers took guests into the hall but the show did not kick off until 7pm.
MEET THE HOSTS
For the fourth time in the history of AMVCA, the hottest host in Nigeria, IK Osakioduwa graced the stage again with co-host, escorted South Africa’s Minenhle Minnie Dlamini popularly known as Diamond Girl.
Popular On-Air Personality, IK has sure mastered his craft effortlessly. His jokes and subtle jabs thrown at intervals added life to the event.
The duo were in their elements making their task look like a piece of cake. To the amazement of all, Minenhle welcomed guests in Igbo.
OPENING MONTAGE BY STAR ART DANCE COMPANY
Guests were welcomed into the Expo Hall, Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, with a superlative performance from Star Art Dance Company. The dance was choreographed by Mbanga Yusuf with music direction by Sarolwakaa.
A NIGHT FOR STEPHANIE LINUS
Star actress and mother of one child, Stephanie Linus dazzled as she went home with the award for Best Overall Movie Africa with her latest work, Dry. The movie also had eight other nominations for the night in which Dry also clinched the plaque in Best Sound Editor Movie/Series and Best Costume Designer Movie and TV categories.
THE LIVE BROADCAST
As usual, AMVCA was broadcast live from Lagos to all DSTV and GoTV subscribers and telecast live to 50 African countries.
INTERLUDES
There were two minutes break intermittently while the show lasted. Comedians from Nigeria, South Africa and Uganda entertained. First was our own comedian, Senator garbed in black agbada. Talented comedian, Bash was also not left out in the list of comedians that entertained that night.
Thomas Gumede from South Africa also lit up the stage while laughter merchant, Salvador rounded off the comedy segment.
They all gave a good account of their craft keeping guests entertained. Notable of all was Uganda’s Salvador, who held the guests spell bound with jaw-breaking jokes. His bag full of jokes revealed that he has acclimatized well to Nigeria’s way of life.
AMVCA’S ROAD OF HONOUR
Thumbs up for the organizers of AMVCA who deemed it fit to recognize the fallen heroes of the entertainment industry. The likes of Peter Bunor, Tosin Badmus, Sikiru Adesina, Olamide David, Aisha Dan Kano, Dede One Day, Saleh AGM, Benson Wanjayu and Orioye Sokunbi
THE INDUSTRY MERIT AWARD
The Industry Merit Award went to two veterans this year. Mama Bukky Ajayi and Sadiq, Dada clinched the coveted awards. The award celebrates those who contributed immensely to the growth and development of the industry through their craft.
Bukky Ajayi was brought up on stage in a wheel chair. Her speech was laddened with emotions and tears as she appreciated the organizers of the awards. Sadiq Daba couldn’t make it to the awards. Clicks and pictures of their early years and acting prowess were shown.
THOSE THAT PERFORMED
Tanzania’s popular actor, Alikiba, opened the stage with his performance. The six dancers who came up stage with him had electric performance that kept Tanzanians on their feet for quite a while. The first Nigerian artiste to grace the stage was Yemi Alade. With an impressive rendering of Oluwa Nagode, Yemi is sure a good performer.
Beautiful and sonorous Zonke also performed from their RnB collections. The audience fell instantly in love with her magnetic voice.
Ladies man, Flavour rounded off with his hits love song, Ada Ada and Sexy Rosey. Guests danced to the melodious songs which have become an anthem on the lips of music lovers. It was a well-rounded performance.
GOOD TO SEE YOU
Nkiru Sylvanus was also in the house. She was looking young and beautiful in her floor sweeping black gown. Press men and paparazzi held her for long on the red carpet.
BUKKY AJAYI’S EMOTIONAL SPEECH
When industry veteran Bukky Ajayi was called on stage for the Industry Merit Award, she was brought in a wheel chair. Immediately she was wheeled on stage, she got a standing ovation. She gave her thank you speech in tears and said, “I wished I could stand up, but if I stand up I will fall down.”
“Are you all standing for me? Thank you all, I am very grateful to you.”
FUNKE AKINDELE AND HER RUMOURED BEAU
Recently, rumour filtered that Funke Akindele and London based music artiste, JJC Skillz were an item.
We can’t tell if the rumour is correct but we sure know that she and Skillz were seen taking pictures together on the red carpet and they were spotted exiting the event together.
THE WAITING ROOM
Just after the red carpet, guests were ushered into a waiting room before the entrance to the main hall was opened. Guests had drinks like Heineken, Malta Guinness, Ace Passion, Lager Beer and Fayrouz.
-SHADE WESLEY-METIBOGUN and TINUOLA JOSEPH