Organisers of the Legends of Nollywood (LON), an annual awards ceremony aimed at recognising and honoring individuals who have fashioned the Nigerian movie industry to what it is today, have announced that the third edition of the show will hold on December 6, at the Banquet Hall of National Arts Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos.
Paul Obazele, the brain behind the awards, claimed: “The Nigerian movie industry has had a rich history as a result of the untiring zeal and creativity of the pioneer who overcame enormous odds and challenges to birth an industry that has gained global recognition.
The legends and veterans of the industry are known as the Legends of Nollywood. They need to be recognised and acknowledged for their body of works.”
According to Obazele, it is time to pay tributes to the great personalities and programmes that have provided the capacity which, in turn, has helped to shape the industry.
“They have blessed us with their gifts and talents. Talents that have inspired generations and have continually raised new stars. There are so many heroes that do not need to pass on before we start to honour them. Nollywood wouldn’t have been what it is today, if these people had not put in what they had,” he added.
Also speaking at the media briefing was Mr Shaibu Hussein, a member of the organizing commitee who said a legend in this regard might not necessarily be an elder states man, but someone who has contributed immensely to the development of the industry from what it use to be to what we all see today as Nollywood.
In his word, ” Being a legend might differ in different industry but as for Nollywood, our aim is to recognise those who have contributed in no measure to the industry development not minding the various challenges faced and still made it a place where many now see as profession”.
One of the key reason and slogan for this years awards is rewarding our heros and not allowing the labors of our heros past go in vain which is one of the verse of the National anthem “The labor of our heros past, shall never go in vain “said Obazele.
“They have best of life, creative set of people, we saw d emergence of what turned into a phenomenon today as Nollywood, so we decided to at every time remember the labor of our heros past”.”said Obazele.
This years event is a 3 days long event full of razzmataz and alot of side attraction.
Slated for December 4, 5, and 6th, this years event is a full packed event and will hold at the prestigeous National Art Theater, Iganmu, Lagos.
In the past edition the organisers have recognised some notable veterans in the industry whose name might not be remembered by many, but they took it upon them selfs to root them out from where ever they are for this noble recognition.
Among the awardees in the past editions were, Jimi Johnson, David Orere (Dir of Things fAll apart), Adele Onyedibia T(Producer Things fall apart), Abiola Atanda (Second Chance), Liz Benson, Gbanga richards, Edmond Anaibe (After the Storm) among others.
And in this years edition Legends like, Sony Irabor, Bisi Olatilo, Joke Kosoko, Mama Awero, Ola Fajemi Isi, Pete Edochie, Taiwo Ajayi Lycett, Ene Oloja ( Cock row @ Dawn) would be recognised.
One of the high point of the awards is the health insurance scheme that has been put in place for these notable legends. Aside from the fact that they would be presented a plaque, the also have an health insurance scheme which would allow them benefit from a high tech health scheme among the several state of the art hospitals accross the country.
Also adding to that, Mr Obazele said, they are making all necessary efforts to get in touch with state governors from where these legends came out from, so they can also benefit something from their state government having made the state proud for having them as legends of our time.
” We have decided that the dreams of this people will not go in vain, becos their existence and works stand as one of the great emergence of some people today, so it became pertinent on our heart dat we have a reward system and this is what gave birth to Legends of Nollywood.”
A Special Recognition awards will also go to Governor Babatunde Fashola, who have also did a lot in the industry, like providing a space for Film Village in Badagry where stuffs have been put in place, also he gave a concension for movie actors and actresses who might still want to go back to school so they will have the opportunity to study in LASU, and a lot of other things he has used his government to sponsor as far as Nollywood is concerned!