NOLLYWOOD AT 20. THE ICONIC NOLLYWOOD EVENT. SPONSORED BY THE FG

GENEVIEVE NNAJI

RITA DOMINIC

DAKORE AKANDE

Wow! So Nollywood is already 2 decades old. It was like yesterday when it all began and now it has become a giant. In fact in terms of production the number 2 in the whole world after Bollywood, in fact the almighty Hollywood is 3rd. The industry has given a lifeline to many who otherwise might not have amounted to anything. It has made millionaires and celebrities out of many also and it has provided entertainment and fun to many,  jobs for many others. For the nation, it has been the perfect brand ambassador, at least helping to bring positive attention to the nation.

So in recognition of the positives, the industry has brought the way of the country, the Federal Government, led by his excellency Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, who is most probably the first President in the history of the country to fully recognize and appreciate the industry. Hosted many of the industry practitioners to a state banquet. Date was Saturday, March 1, 2013, Venue was the State House (Federal) Marina, Lagos. Time was from 7PM. The President though having a very tight schedule, flew back in that late afternoon from a visit to Cote'D' Ivoire.

In all there were 750 guests in total, the first class event center constructed specially for the show that was specially tagged- Iconic Nollywood- Nigeria Celebrates Nollywood  is owned by a company called ''BluBreed Nig Ltd, the marquee used is probably one of the biggest and the best in Nigeria. The gigantic marque was serviced by 2, 500kva Generators, which carries about 30, 4 Horse powered air-conditioners amongst several other things That's apart from the massive industrial air-conditioners directly connected to it, with vents. The fantastic event was managed by a subsidiary of the owners of the marque, called 'Blu Victoria Turnkey Events''. Truth be told, they did excellently well. 

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Nollywood was very well represented at the event. The flow of the event had guests, first having a good time outside in the very expansive compound, having the best of cocktails while mingling and networking, chewing on finger food a la carte. While this was on going, guests invitations were verified and seats allotted and then, after another through search to the marque. Who didn't we see?  RMD, Genevieve Nnaji, Rita Dominic, Bimbo Akintola, Oge Okoye, Susan Peters, Amaka Igwe, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, Linda Ejiofor, Uti Nwachukwu, Uru Eke, Dakore Akande, Osita Iheme, Bukky Wright, Desmond Elliot, Stephanie Linus, Iyabo Ojo, Uche & Kenney Rodriguez, Ibinabo Fiberesima, Chico Ejiro, Chika Ike, Fathia Balogun, Timi Dakolo, Omawunmi Megbele, Timaya, several beauty queens,  HRM Oba Obateru Akinrutan, HRM Ebitimi Banigo & Pelebo, Chief Ms Nike Oshinowo-Soleye, Erelu Abiola Dosunmu,Tony Elumelu, Ben & Guy Murray-Bruce, Grace Egbagbe, Raymond & Moji Dokpesi, Senator Smart Adeyemi, Kanu Nwankwo, Chief Kola Jamodu, Sayyu Dantata and several others too numerous to mention were in attendance. 

The highlight of the night, was the speech by the president, when he spoke about a project approved by him tagged-Project Nollywood, that would be overseen by both the Ministers of Finance, Mrs. Ngozi Iweala and Minister for Culture & Tourism, Chief Edem Duke. Project Nollywwod is made up of 3 billion Naira in grants to the Nollywood industry. According to the C-in-C, the funds would be easily accessible and available to help take the industry to the next level. The President also launched a special coffee table book, titled- Icons of Nollywood.  Prior to that announcement, Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa-Ibom, who in his speech, spoke glowingly about the President, highlighting some of his major achievements, later donated 50 million Naira towards a foundation, that would also help to take the industry to the next level. 

Entertainment in form of musical interludes was provided by DJ Jimmy Jatt, Omawunmi Megbele, Timaya, Timi Dakolo, Dakore Egbuson, Zakky Adzay, Sanni Danger and Tuface Idibia, who nearly brought down the whole house. It's now accepted fact that he is Nigeria's numero uno musician. He got the hall on their feet swaying to his melodious tunes.

Curiosly, the host state Governor, Mr. Babatunde Raji-Fashola was nowhere in sight, as were several top Nollywood stars, the likes of Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Ramsey Nouah, Jim Iyke and several others. Why? We don't know. 

But all in all, it was a fun night and people thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Check out a few pictures of those who attended.

FATHIA BALOGUN

URU EKE

GENEVIEVE NNAJI

RITA DOMINIC & FRIEND

LINDA EJIOFOR

NIKKY OGBUEFI

NIKKY & NONNY

CHIKA IKE

RMD

OGE OKOYE

IYABO OJO

DAKORE AKANDE

SUSAN PETERS

IBINABO,GENEVIEVE & RITA

IBINABO FIBERESIMA

ONE OF THE LIGHTS

WATERFALL INSIDE THE MARQUE

A VIEW OF THE HALL

BIMBO AKINTOLA

SUSAN PETERS & BIMBO AKINTOLA

FRED AMATA & BUKKY WRIGHT

OSITA IHEME

TIMI DAKOLO

PEACE ANYIAM-OSIGWE

MARY URANTA

TY BELLO

ISABELLA AYUK, MBGN 2012

BIODUN KUPOLUYI, PUBLISHER E24:7

ETHEL OKOSUN

CHICO EJIRO

MISS GHANA 2012

O C UKEJE

ALEX EKUBO

TUFACE PERFORMING

DANCING TIME..............

KENNEY & UCHE RODRIGUEZ

OLU & JOKE JACOBS

DESMOND ELLIOT AND FRIEND

IB & GENNY

SAYYU DANTATA

KANU NWANKWO

GODSWILL AKPABIO

TIMI DAKOLO PERFORMING

TWO LEGENDS- TUFACE IDIBIA & GENEVIEVE NNAJI

THE RODRIGUEZ

BIODUN KUPOLUYI & GENEVIEVE NNAJI

SUSAN PETERS, UTI NWACHGUKWU & FRIEND

URU EKE & ALEX EKUBO