Afrobeat icon, Femi Kuti and award-winning singer, 9ice will join other artistes like Yinka Davies, Adeena and Ghanaian Naird to thrill guests at this year’s Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA).
Already, over 60 African film practitioners are in Nigeria for the show. They will sashay on the red carpet along with Nollywood stars at the awards ceremony holding at Balmoral Convention Centre, Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos tomorrow, Saturday, November 2.
AMAA’s technical director, Kingsley James, said the 20th edition would be a night to remember as all hands are on deck to make the ceremony not only special, but also memorable.
“We have an impeccable African line-up (of artistes) that would wow the attendees. Nigeria’s Segun Arinze and Ghana’s Joselyn Dumas will host the show. Also billed to perform aside Femi Kuti and 9ice are Yinka Davies, Narh Tettey, Bedwei Kwaku and Adina Thembi. DJ Kenchello and Ebony Band will equally be on the bandstand,” James noted.
Celebrities expected to grace the occasion include Ghana’s Lydia Forson and Jackie Appiah, Kenya’s Kenneth Ambani, and Burkina Faso’s Charles Koutou. Others are Chinedu Ikeduze, Micheal Majid, Osita Iheme, Adjetey Anna, Morris Sam, and Zuby Micheals.
Today, AMAA will fete African creatives and film stars at an event tagged: ‘African Legends Night’ holding at Amore Garden, Lekki, Lagos.
“We are not just rolling out in a big way, we are intentional about making the 20th edition the best AMAA where over 60 African film practitioners and creatives will be celebrated. This has always been the wish of our late sister and AMAA founder, Peace Maria Ogechi Anyiam-Osigwe, and we will actualise the dream to the glory of God,” AMAA’s CEO, Raymond Anyiam-Osigwe, vowed.
Meanwhile, AMAA’s second coffee table book launched at Marriott Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos recently, was a success as the event drew dignitaries and top film practitioners in the country.
In his remarks at the launch, Anyiam-Osigwe, who described the book as iconic, said it captured for posterity all the golden moments of AMAA in the last 20 years.
“It’s an iconic book that captures memorable times of AMAA and it’s not just a coffee table book, it’s a treasure to hold when African creatives and film practitioners are discussed,” he stated.
Popular filmmaker, Andy Boyo, officially unveiled the book while Mahmood Alli-Balogun delivered the keynote speech.
In attendance at the launch, which also had a panel session moderated by Chinyere Anyiam-Osigwe, were members of the Anyiam-Osiwe family led by the Matriarch, Lady Dorothy Anyiam Osigwe, George Anyiam-Osigwe, Anthony Anyiam-Osigwe, Charles Anyiam-Osigwe, Mrs Okemute Anyiam-Osigwe, and Barrister Kennedy Anyiam-Osigwe.
Others include Justice Olayinka Gbajabiamila, Anthony Anih, Charles Otudor, Cornel Udofia, Bond Emeruwa, Bimbo Manuel, Greg Odutayo, Francis Onwochie, Kingsley James, Zeb Ejiro, Sunny McDon, Prince Tunde Chado, Angela Lance, Florence Okechukwu, Asiodu Henry, Felix Duke, Queen Blessing Ebigieson, and Hon. Bukky Ogunote.