Story and Photos by Niyi Tabiti March 16th 2007

This year’s edition of the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) has finally come and gone, but it left a trail of glitz, glamour and razzmatazz.

As it was with the previous two editions, Yenagoa, capital of Bayelsa State, was packed full of movie stars from home and abroad.


As if to confirm the growing popularity of AMAA, all hotels in the oil rich city were fully booked before the D-day. More and more people came to witness the live presentation of what is gradually becoming a phenomenon and Africa’s own version of the Oscar.


It was a whole week of activities that finally culminated in the main event, but the real excitement did not start until the evening of Friday, March 9, when thousands of stakeholders in the movie industry arrived from their various stations. A lot of those who travelled by air came through Owerri Airport in Imo State. That same night a lot of them still made it to the premiere of The Trinity, a film by Dickson Iroegbu.


Contrary to insinuations that the Niger Delta is full of weird-looking militants with rocket launchers and other dangerous weapons, the people exuded so much warmth and hospitality. They called most of the stars by their names, waved at them and were also willing to give directions to those navigating their way to any part of the state capital.


Award Winners


Sitanda , a movie featuring Azizat Sodiq, winner of 2006 edition of Amstel Malta Box Office (AMBO) reality show, won in five categories, thereby making it the highest award-winning movie this year. Sitanda won the Best Picture, Best Nigerian Film Irrespective of Language, and Original Screen Play. Izu Ojukwu and Ali Nuhu won the Best Director and Best Upcoming Actor respectively, based on Sitanda. The film was nominated in 10 categories.


Other award winners include veteran Actor, Olu Jacobs (Actor of the Year), for his role in Dancing Heart. Chioma Chukwuka won Actress of the Year award for her role in Sins Of the Flesh, Bruno Iwuoha Best Actor in Supporting Role, for his role in Sins of Flesh. Amazing Grace, a film by Jetta Amata, won the Best in Cinematography. Iwalewa, a movie by Aisha and Khabirat Kafidipe, won the Best Soundtrack based on the work of Yinka Davies. A South African Film, Conversations on Sunday Afternoon, won the Best Documentary Movie. The film beat Bitter Water Mara, another South African film, and The Covenant Church to win in the category. Snake Girl won the Best Visual Effect and Samuel Oladehinde won the Best Performance by Child, for his role in Abeni. Mokili, a film from Burkina Faso, won the Best Edited Movie, while Achievement in Costume Award was given to Azima.


Other award winners include Jackie Agyemani, a Ghanaian actress, who picked up the Best Actress award in Supporting Role based on The President’s Daughter. She was nominated alongside Noelie Funmi Agbendegba (Abeni) from the Republic of Benin and Iretiola Doyle, a Nigerian actress, based on Sitanda. The duo of Aki and Pawpaw were decorated with Lifetime Achievement Awards.


Side Attractions


The award was not all about reward for movie excellence in Africa; rather it also afforded the array of stars the opportunity to express their intimate fashion and style on the red carpet. Actors and actresses came in out-of-this-world designs that apparently showed they wanted to make a statement. Before the duo of Richard Mofe-Damijo and Tammy, a South African actress, who took part in Critical Assignment, kicked off the award ceremony proper, Ayo Makun, a comedian known as AY, and Klink Da Drunk were on the stage to spice the event with comedy.


While many thought Tammy was very professional with her presentations, others felt RMD should have made up his mind whether he wanted to be a comedian or compere at the event. He exuded so much exuberance that surprised a lot of people. For instance, he was in the habit of calling most ladies his girlfriends after introducing them, which trivialised most of his presentations.


2face Idibia stole the show with his grand performance at the Gloryland Cultural Centre. He got almost everyone dancing immediately he mounted the stage. He also did African Queen to the delight of the audience.


Muma Gee also won the heart of the crowd when she performed. She went straight to where actor Kanayo O. Kanayo was seated and brought him to the stage. Trust the actor who likes to act the millionaire in movies; he plastered her cheeks with kisses. Other laudable presentations were VIP from Ghana, Tony Tetuila and Asu Ekiye.


Roll Call


The ceremony, which took place at Gloryland Cultural Centre, witnessed a massive turnout of some of Nigeria’s celebrities. Governor of Bayelsa State and Vice Presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic (PDP), Prof. Goodluck Jonathan, was unavoidably absent from the ceremony. But his deputy was there to represent. Prominent members of the state’s legislative and executive councils were also present.


The stars that attended the event included veteran actor, Olu Jacobs, Grace Amah, Monique, the famous American comedienne; Tina Anwuziam, Chinedu Ikedieze and Osita Iheme (Aki and Pawpaw), Ramsey Noah, Kate Henshaw-Nuttal, Stella Damasus, Kunle Afolayan, Ebube Nwangbo, Fathia Balogun, Afolabi Adesanya, MD Nigerian Film Corporation; Richard Mofe-Damijo, Zack and Ngozi Orji, Esther Moore.