Encomium
SEUN Oloketuyi is the publisher of Best of Nollywood magazine and also the organizer of the yearly Best of Nollywood Awards (BON). This year’s award was held in Delta State and recorded a huge success. In this exclusive chat with ENCOMIUM Weekly at his Ogba, Lagos office on Friday, December 13, 2013, he spoke about the success story of the award and what to correct in the next edition.
How did it all go?
It was tough, though we had new experience because we worked with two state governments. We did not have that experience, but the passion and good intention pushed us through. The governor said it all at the pre-launch award party he had with us that he liked the way the award is going. He also said we can come back if we want.
What is the success story of BON 2013?
For four years of the award, we have been telling people we want to make it world class. And every year we always map out plan of how we want the award to be. As we are talking now, we are planning for next year already, but because of money, we don’t usually get half of the plan executed. And I thank God this year we were able to execute 70 per cent of our plan. A lot of people who have been to other BON Awards, who came to this year’s called and told me we did a good job and that makes me happy.
What are some of the lapses you noticed that you will work on next year?
Because we actually went out of Lagos, we had a lot of logistic issues. When we had the pre-award dinner, my team worked very hard to ensure everybody was comfortable. When people were coming back, we had issues with flight that kept some of our stars waiting for about four to five hours and that really made me unhappy. Most of these people will say no when it is time to go back to Asaba. The following day we called and explained to them. In Asaba, due to breakdown of communication, we could not provide lunch. Those were the two major challenges. Other than that, I think it went very well.
There was this rumour that people did not turn up, there was low attendance?
Our stars still need to imbibe some things. When stars are invited for an award, they attend with all excitement. But here, some of our stars will say I don’t have a nomination why should I go? I would not agree it was a low turnout because the hall was full. We flew in more than 100 people from Lagos. And we would have done better if not that a lot of event held that day. That was the day Africa Magic held their nomination party and it was in their comfort zone. In terms of attendance, I will give us 60 per cent.
Who won the highest number of awards?
It was Kenneth Nyang for his movie, Confusion na wa. He won the major awards like Director of the Year, Movie of the Year. Unfortunately, some people that were on their way to the award could not make it. That was the day a plane overshot the runway in Abuja. We had ticket for Empress Njamah, Keppy Ekpeyong, Bimbo Manuel and Nuhu Aliu and they were waiting at the airport. They could not fly, they had to go back home.
How much did the award gulp?
To tell you the amount spent on the award is difficult, because we have started spending for 2014 award. As we talk to you, we have started the planning. But I can tell you it gulped nothing less than N60 to N70 million altogether.
Where is BON taking place next year?
My mom used to tell me that you do not announce pregnancy, you only announce child birth. What I can tell you is that we had an agreement with another state government to host BON Awards 2014 in which the governor has agreed. We would announce it in February when we give the hosting right to the governor.
Apart from Delta State government, which other state government did you work with?
Rivers State government. They hosted the pre-award dinner two weeks to the award in Port Harcourt. The nominees went to Port Harcourt for dinner with the governor.
The two major sponsors were not around, why?
Governor Amaechi was at the award. The governor of Delta State wanted to attend the award, he was already dressed but you know you women, it takes lot of times for our actresses to be ready and governor had another event for 9 p.m. His plan was to be with us between 6 and 8.30 p.m and dash to another event. We did not start until 8.30 p.m, and he asked his deputy and the Speaker of the House of Assembly to represent him.
– AJOKE ONITOLO
