How do you describe a movie gathering that has in attendance the likes of Oga Bello, Prince Jide Kosoko, Bisi Olatilo, Nobert Young, Akin Lewis, Ejike Asiegbu and Omotola Ekeinde?
What would you call a gathering that has over 10 movie matriarchs like Iya Awero, Iya Ereko, Madam Saje, Fali Werepe, Madam Kofo, Iya Ray, Joke Muyiwa, Ngozi Nwosu, Yetunde Wunmi, Jumoke George and many more? If you call it stunning, star-studded, glamorous, you won’t be wrong at all.
Let’s tell you more about this event. What happened was that on Sunday 16th September 2018, all the big names in the movie industry gathered in Lagos for the 2018 City People Movie Awards. It was a colourful event, as industry giants and veterans, mingled with younger players. Many movie icons stormed the event. So also the stars.
City People’s DAMILARE SALAMI was on ground to bring you a blow-by-blow report of the event. Below are excerpts of the glitz and glamour at the awards.
ABOUT THE VENUE
The venue of the event was the Balmoral Event Centre, on Kudirat Abiola Way, opposite UAC, Oregun Ikeja. Lagos. City People Magazine has been holding events there for years and the hall has hosted many historic events organised by City People. The Black and White decor was done by Party Needs. It was breath-taking. About 3:00 pm, the Balmoral Event Centre came alive as, movie stars and screen divas started coming in, one after the other expecting to have fun and be celebrated or celebrate with others as the case may be.
DJ KULET OPENS FLOOR
The beautifully decorated hall with a touch of white and black was already inviting, even before the arrival of the guests, as one of the best female Disc Jockeys in Nigeria, DJ Kulet served different tunes from both Nigerian and foreign artistes alike as the memorable night of glitz and glamour was about to kick start.
MC YINKA SALAU MOUNTS THE STAGE
Handsomely dressed in a wine African Agbada attire with a matching colour cap is the anchor of the day, Yinka Salau, an actor who also doubles as the official MC of the paramount Yoruba monarch, HRM the Ooni if Ife. He wasted no time in introducing himself by displaying his oratory skills both in English and Yoruba languages.
UK GOSPEL ACT SHOPHIE-YAH TAKES OPENING PRAYER
Putting God first is a regular tradition at City People, therefore, the 2018 edition of City People Movie Awards started with an opening prayer which was delivered by a UK based gospel superstar, Shophie-Yah. The national anthem immediately came up afterwards from the turntable of DJ Kulet to mark the official opening of the event.
SK WELCOMES GUESTS
City People Magazine Publisher, Seye Kehinde delivered the welcome address. In his usual manner, he explained how the journey began 10 yrs ago in Abeokuta where the first edition of the event then known as City People Entertainment awards which combined both the music and movie awards was held. It was hosted by the then Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel.
He further explained that the award was split into two different events two years ago and that was why we are having the movie awards today. The music awards by the grace of God will come up in October 2018, he concluded.
MC WELCOMES GUESTS
It was already a full house by the time Dr. Seye Kehinde was rounding off his welcome address and the MC came up immediately to welcome so many stars to the country. The number was so large but he managed to pick out a few without any bias. Mrs. Lanre Hassan a.k.a Iya Awero, Prince Jide Kosoko, Alariwo of Africa, Ejike Asiegbu, Akin Lewis, Yomi Thomas, Tunde Ayeni, Honorable Adekanye Oladele who represented the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Honorable Mudashiru Obasa, Jumoke George, Joke Muyiwa, Adebayo Salami a.k.a Oga Bello, CEO Revolution Plus and wife, Mr. Bamidele and Tolulope Onalaja, CSP Dolapo Badmos were among the several mentioned names.
YEMI ELESHO THRILLS AUDIENCE
He is the son of popular Yoruba movie icon, Elesho Enu Njawaya, a comic actor and he seems to have taken that comic character from his father. Yemi Elesho came up stage with a brand of Yoruba comedy and left everyone in the hall laughing out loud with his jokes. Mindful of his audience, he was able to code mix his jokes in order to carry the non-Yoruba speaking members of his audience along.
IJEOMA IMOH JOINS THE ANCHOR ON STAGE
The event became livelier as popular Nollywood producer; Ijeoma Imoh joined Mc Yinka Salau on stage as co-anchor. She equally came in the company of a popular comedian, MC Senator who balanced the show with a blend of Pidgin and English comedy; you can tell that the audience was having real fun and were well relaxed from the kind of feedback MC Senator was getting while he performed.
PRINCE BISI OLATILO AND NAFISAT NIKE BALOGUN PRESENT 1ST SET OF AWARDS
Media gurus, Prince Bisi Olatilo the CEO of Biscon TV and showbiz personality, Nike Nafisat Balogun were invited up stage for the presentation of the first set of awards. It was indeed a blend of the true “WAZOBIA”. The two award presenters displayed their lingual prowesses with a blend of fluent Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba languages and a flow of English as well. Recognition awards as announced by the duo went to Mrs. Joke Muyiwa, Prince Jide Kosoko and family, who dedicated the award to the memories of his late wives and proudly announced that he already has nine graduate children. Otunba Adebayo Salami a.k.a Oga Bello, Chinyere Nwabueze, Mrs. Lanre Hassan a.k.a Iya Awero, Segun Arinze, Iya Ereko, Andy Ike, Jumoke George, Lancelot Imaseun, Mrs. Fausat Balogun a.k.a Madam Saje, Yetunde Wunmi, Fali Werepe, Eucharia Anunobi, Doyin Kukoyi, Ejike Asiegbu, Mrs. Olajumoke Ray a.k.a Mama Ray, Babagana Abba.
The combination of Prince Olatilo and Nike Balogun was far from being boring as they took the audience to the northern part of Nigeria and back into the auditorium severally with a flow of Hausa language while presenting the competitive awards in the Kannywood (Hausa movie industry) category.
Kannywood best series actress of the year went to Khabirat Mehmud, Kannywood TV station of the year was awarded to Africa Magic Hausa, best-supporting actress went to Hanatu Bashir.
PRINCE JIDE KOSOKO AND OGA BELLO’S GRAND ENTRY
There were several side attractions as the event kept springing up more fun for the audience but worthy of note was the grand entry of Nollywood patriarchs, Prince Jide Kosoko and his longtime friend, partner and colleague, Otunba Adebayo Salami a.k.a Oga Bello. Both of them came to the event with a large number of members of their families. They took the attention of almost everyone in the auditorium away from the stage to the entrance door. They both were seen inside a small crowd cheering them on and when they were called to the stage for their awards, it became even more glamorous with the presence of their children and grandchildren. Surprisingly their entries occurred at different times and it looked like a mini-drama.
MUSIC BREAK: MR REEL, SHOPHIE-YAH AND ZAMORA PERFORM
Anchors Ijeoma and Yinka mounted the stage after presentation of the first round of awards to ease the pressure on expectant winners and their fans in the competitive categories as popular hip-hop act, Mr. Reel a.k.a Legbegbe maestro came up stage with his shakushaku and legbegbe dance steps. He literally brought the roof down. Even celebrities were not left out of the excitement they all danced and had fun.
Next, after Mr. Reel was another awesome performance from Ozzybee, and the UK based gospel artiste, Shophie-yah. Her voice so much complimented the beauty and glamour she displayed onstage and her performance was far from being disappointing.
Another fast-rising hip-hop star, Zamora concluded the music break with a 5-star performance, he was not intimidated by the presence of different stars, instead, he gave them a reason to ask for more.
OGA BELLO AND PRINCE JIDE KOSOKO PRESENT NEXT SET OF AWARDS
These two superstars, who have proven to be a perfect match on screen, did likewise, this time around, a duty different from drama or movie. Prince Jide Kosoko and Otunba Adebayo Salami a.k.a Oga Bello were brought upstage by the anchors to present the next set of awards in a competitive category and they kept the crowd in suspense on different occasions. It only added more excitement to the already interesting night for the audience. They started with a special recognition award for Nollywood matriarch, Ngozi Nwosu before announcing different competitive categories which includes: Most innovative actor of the year won by Femi Adebayo, movie couple of the year won by Nobert & Gloria, Yoruba movie personality of the year won by Akin Lewis, another recognition award went to the Executive Director of the National Film and Video Censor’s board, Mr. Adedayo Thomas, Best movie producer of the year won by Allwell Ademola, best TV series of the year (Yoruba), won by Aladun re, fastest rising actor of the year won by Taiwo Agboola and fastest rising actress of the year (Yoruba), won by Wunmi Toriola.
OMOTOLA JALADE-EKEHINDE DAZZLES EVERYONE
Celebrity actress, Omotola Jalade-Ekehinde slayed as usual in a beautiful blue gown with a touch of purple at the 2018 edition of the City People Movie Awards. Her presence lit up the hall as several fans flocked around her for selfies she won one of the biggest awards of the night, the Movie Icon of the Year.
CSP DOLAPO BADMOS DID A GOOD JOB
Anchors Ijeoma Igbo and Yinka Salau came back upstage after Jide Kosoko concluded their award presentations to bring up sexy Nigerian celebrity policewoman, DSP Dolapo Badmos, the Police Zonal PRO who presented the next sets of recognition and competitive awards to winners.
She started with the revelation of the year award which went to Ray Emodi, comic actor of the year (Yoruba) award won by Tayo Amokade a.k.a Ijebu, comic actor of the year (English) award won by Charles Inojie, Best movie director (English) won by Niyi Akinmolayan, Movie Icon of the Year award was won by Omotola Jalade-Ekehinde, Most Promising Actress of the Year (English) won by Mary Lazarus, most promising actor of the year (English) won by Olumide Oworu, best movie director of the year (Yoruba) won by Kunle Afod, best supporting actress of the year (English) won by Omowunmi Dada.
She also presented some recognition awards to Alhaji Abdulrasaq Abdulahi, Alhaji Kazeem Afolayan and Alhaji Hakeem Olatunji Balogun, all as evergreen marketers of the year.
Wedding Party II won The Best Movie of the Year, Best Yoruba TV channel went to Ngbati TV, Lateef Adedimeji won The Best Actor in Yoruba Category, Niyi Johnson was named The Best Supporting Actor of the Year (Yoruba), while Seyi Edun won The Best Young Producer of the Year. They all got their plaques from CSP Dolapo Badmus.
The Ejiro brothers, Chico and Zeb got recognition awards while Ayo Adesanya came onstage as the Yoruba Movie Personality of the year award went to her.
SHUGABOY, ATORISE OTHERS RAISE THE ROOF
It appeared like the fun just began despite the fact that the night was drawing nearer as fast-rising hip hop group, The Onijo dance group came up to lighten up the atmosphere again.
Popular gospel act, Dr. Lanre Teriba a.k.a Atorise hit the stage with his unique brand of music and he won the hearts of many as celebrities joined the party upstage. He sure pulled the crowd as they requested him to continue even after his time had elapsed. His Gospel-Tungba beat left everyone dancing like it was an Owambe party. Nollywood matriarch, Iya Ereko had so much fun that she went on spraying the singer and several others joined in the fun.
Hip-hop star, Shugaboy mounted the stage and sparked up another round of fun amongst lovers of western brand of hip-hop music. His performance was energetic, jaw breaking and awesome altogether.
Another fast-rising hip hop dance group took over and did what they love doing best to the pleasure of the audience who never looked to be near fatigue.
Fast-rising artistes, Kesh Ofuobi and Mide ended the musical interlude with different performances.
AYO ADESANYA PRESENTS AWARDS
This beautiful and ever young Nollywood star who started acting with the English sector of the Nigerian movie industry but ended up playing prominent roles in both the English and Yoruba scripts was one of the winners of the night. However, she came back upstage to present awards to some of her colleagues.
Starting with Jumoke Odetola as the winner of The Best Yoruba Actress of the Year, Ayo Adesanya jokingly announced herself and the audience fell for it. She went ahead to present several others like Best New Actress of the Year (English) won by Efe Irele, Best New Yoruba actress of the year won by Oyebade Adebimpe, best-supporting actress (Yoruba) won by Eniola Ajao, Revelation of the Year, Ope Bamgbopa.
She also presented recognition awards to Don Sylvester Records, Halima Abubakar, and Madam Kofo Abiola for their contributions to Nollywood.
Ayo Adesanya was still on standby as she handed over plaques to TVC who went home as the Local Station with Best Movie Content, Apata TV was named Best Online TV with Best Movie Content, while Osike Movies went home as The Best English Movie Marketer.
IYA EREKO SHOWS SUPPORT TO EVERY WINNER
Nollywood Matriarch, Iya Ereko became the most talked about celebrity at the event as she showed support and love to almost every Yoruba actor that won by following them upstage.
CSP DOLAPO BADMOS DAZZLES WITH HER SISTERS
CSP Dolapo Badmos dazzles with her sisters, Omolara Badmos Ajose, and Funmilayo Ayobami Adedeji. She was equally sighted in the company of beauty pageant winner, Miss Intercontinental Africa, Miss Ejike Chibuzor and Miss Mary Ayodele.
MOVIE MATRIARCHS IN ASO EBI
The Yoruba movie industry is truly a beauty to behold especially when the stars are not on set. The beauty of the industry was displayed at the 2018 edition of the City People Movie Awards when some senior female citizens of the Nollywood Yoruba community came to the event in a special attire (Aso Ebi). You would have thought it was a wedding party. They were all seated on two tables close to each other, came with their own specially prepared delicacies prepared for their families, friends, and fans around them, Some of the members of the Aso Ebi gang include; Fali Werepe, Iya Awero, Iya Ereko, Yetunde Wunmi, and Madam Saje.
FINGER KINGS PROVIDES SMALL CHOPS
The event was a huge success became of the small chops served round the tables. It was provided by Finger Kings and the feedback from the audience who showed utmost satisfaction after consumption of the delicious chops prove the fact that they are one of the best in the business.
OMOTOLA JALADE EKEHINDE DAZZLED
Highly respected and influential Nollywood diva, Omotola Jalade Ekehinde, slayed as usual in a beautiful blue flowery attire at the 2018 edition of the City People Movie Awards, as she was honoured with the Movie Icon of the Year Award. This very stylish and classy, talked about her 25 years in the entertainment industry, dedicated the awards to the godfathers of Nollywood Zeb Ejiro, Chico Ejiro and Bon Omeruwa who gave her, her first role in the movie industry.
- OLANREWAJU DUYILE WAS REPRESENTED
Mr. Olanrewaju Duyile, the CEO of Behaviour Prise Consulting Inc. Canada and founder of the popular website www.feedback strategy.net which he created few months ago, for the Nigerian University Students and lecturers for students to write review on their lecturers, take up the quiz and have a better relationship was represented by two of his members in Nigeria, Mr. Ayobanji Amudipe and Mr. Paul Nnakwe.
SENATOR JOY EMORDI SHOWS LOVE AND SUPPORT FOR HER SON
It is a known fact, that most parents in Nigeria, are always against their children in the entertainment industry. But in the case of Ray Emordi, a talented actor, who also won the Revelation of the Year’s award, the case was different. His mum Senator Joy Emordi and the siblings, flew in all the way from Abuja to Lagos, just to support their own. And the talented actor after emerging as the winner dedicated his award to his loving mother, who sent him to Los Angeles to study acting. The beautiful Senator who accompanied the son to receive the award was so happy and proud of the talented actor.
THE DG. NFVCB ALHAJI THOMAS ADEDAYO WAS REPRESENTED
The very hardworking and industrious D.G of the National Films Video and Censor board Alhaji Adedayo Thomas, who was far away in Canada for an official assignment, bagged a special recognition award for his contribution to the movie industry in Nigeria, and his fight against piracy, he was represented by Honourable Afeez Ipesa Balogun.
ENGINEER KUTI CAME IN COMPANY OF HIS BEAUTIFUL WIFE
The New Controller of Works, Engineer Adedamola Kuti, was among the special guests of honour, at the just concluded 2018 City People Movie Award. The very gentleman, came in, with his wife, they were both dressed in beautiful native attires. They both enjoyed every bit of the event, as they were both often seen smiling and clapping at performances and awards received by Nollywood stars.
ROLL CALL
Oga Bello, Prince Jide Kosoko, Nobert Young, Akin Lewis, Ejike Asiegbu & Wife, Alariwo & Wife, Omotola Jalade, Fidelis Duker and wife, Shaff Bello, Ayo Adesanya, Ngozi Nwosu, Chinyere Nwabueze, Andy Ike, Charles Inojie, Nobert Asikhia, Adebayo Sadiq, Lanre Kosoko, Juwon Kosoko, Doyin Kukoyi, Oyia, Kunle Afod, Zeb Ejiro, Anunobi Eucharia, Muka Ray, Lasun Ray, Oyebade Adebimpe, Damola Olatunji, Bukola Arugha, Lanre Hassan, Olumide Oworu, Charles Inojie, Jumoke Odetola, Seyi Edun, Adeniyi Johnson, Nkechi Blessing, Eniola Ajao, Nnnena Nwabueze, Ope Bamgbopa, Abiodun Jimoh, Allwell Ademola, Adedimeji Lateef, Ruth Kadiri, Efe Erele, Ray Emodi, Mary Lazarus, Segun Arinze, Lancelot Oduwa Imaseun, Okunlola Taiwo, Okunlola Kehinde, Tobilola Abraham, Etochi Ejike, Engineer Kuti & wife, Afeez Ipesa Balogun, Mr. Paul Anakwe, Senator Joy Emordi, Bisi Olatilo Mr. Ayobanji Amudipe, Balogun Nofisat, Joke Muyiwa, Madam Saje, Yetunde Wunmi, Fali Werepe, Kassim Afolayan.
–DAMILARE SALAMI
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