RMD, Patience Ozokwor, Funke Akindele, Segun Arinze, others shine at NOPA 2013

On December 15, 2013, the Main Hall of the Etal Hotel situated in Ikeja in Lagos was packed with prominent players in the Nigerian movie industry to witness the 6th edition of the Nollywood Outstanding Personality Award (NOPA) and in line with its culture of delivery, individuals who have stood out in their respective capacities in the Nigerian movie industry were honoured.

This year, some of those honoured include Nollywood actresses, Funke Akindele for her outstanding performance and Patience Ozokwor who also awarded with an Outstanding Performance Award.
For the Diamond Pen Merit Awards, the duo of Collins Ukoamu and Ngozi Ememdolibe went home with one each.

Nollywood Veterans like Richard Mofe Damijo, Chief Onita Coker, Chief Cosmas Ndulue and Kingsley Ogoro all added feathers of prestige to their hats as they received NOPA’s Lifetime Achievement Awards.
In the Ever Green Icon category, it was a solo run for Chief Eddie Ugboma as guests at the event acknowledged his immense contributions to the industry.

Other  actresses who left their mark in NOPA’s growing list of awardees are Franca Brown, Okey Bakassi Onyegbule, Segun Arinze, Mellamby Ileogben, Kingsley Okereke, Paul Obazele and Afam Okereke as they all clinched the Outstanding Performance Award.

The event was filled with exciting moments; both for the awardees who appeared in exciting colours and clearly looked in high spirits as well as guests who were thrilled to series of unforgettable moments.
In his keynote address, former Minister for Information, Dr. Walter Ofonagoro noted that it was important for practitioners and professionals within and around the Nigerian movie industry to get rewarded adding that self-assessment is a very important agent of credibility.

Another crucial item in Ofonagoro’s address was his emphasis on the growth of Nollwood and his position on what should follow. He explained that Nollywood has become a major from Nigeria and Africa at large. “We must all begin to appreciate the practitioners for bringing the industry this far and that is why the reward system of the industry is critical. Making films is one of the ways of publicizing a country and we have done well in this regard.

He however challenged the practitioner against resting on their oars. At number three in the world, we must begin to target the number one spot.

Nigeria’s kid talent, Ozy Bosco also enjoyed a good outing as he thrilled guests with his performance and brand of music.

Dedicating her award to her parents, Nollywood actress, Franca Brown was full of praises for them for the amazing roles they played in her life.

Despite arriving a little late, Nollywood’s multi-award winning actor, Osita Iheme was cheered and greeted by guests and friends at the event.

In his speech, the CEO, Stanword Media and the brain behind NOPA, Stanley Okereke explained that NOPA’s uniqueness comes from the fact that it is organised by those whose eyes have observed the twists and turns of the motion picture industry from its infancy till date.

We will continue to celebrate men and women who toiled relentlessly to build the Nollywood brand.”

He also expressed thanks to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio. “He was a proud recipient of the highly exalted Grand Patron of Art Award at NOPA 2012. I would like to express my profound gratitude to him for deeming it fit to endow unto Nollywood the Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Prize for Excellence.

On the strength of this endowment, our Diamond Pen Merit Award Category will go competitive next year. This will, in no small measure, precipitate the fanning out and establishment of new borders in film reportage,” he enthused.

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By: SAMOD BIOBAKU