DAY STARS STORMED COLISEUM FOR NOLLYWOOD NITE
The second edition of the Nitesift Coliseum initiative, tagged Nollywood Nite, which held last Sunday beat the imagination of many as the array of stars who stormed the foremost nite club revealed how popular the show has come to be within one year. Needless to ask if the event was a success.
Exotic cars begged for packing slots as one after the other, known faces in the music, movie and art world walked into the waiting frame of photographers who were busy snapping away.
The ovation was loudest as the show kicked off amidst pomp and pageantry and there was no disappointing the publicity the event had received in the previous weeks. The expectations of guests were heightened by the rave reviews the event enjoyed in the media.
Like the first edition that held amidst fanfare, more than 12 months ago, stakeholders in Nollywood gathered on Sunday, November 25, 2007 for a reception to honour and celebrate the very best of Nollywood, the third largest producers of home videos in the world after Hollywood and Bollywood. The event kicked off 6pm with a red carpet reception that lasted all of 60 minutes.
Supported by Amstel Malta, a product of Nigerian Breweries Plc, and MTN, the event bore the insignia of the two corporate bodies that have before now used the incredible platform of Nollywood to sell their brands and services to consumers.
Some of the earliest arrivals included Mr. and Mrs. Alex Usifo, Emeka Ossai and his wife, Obey Etuk, Madam Kofo with her signature 'skyscraper' headgear and Stella Damasus who took to the floor as one of the comperes. Other comperes were Ohi Alegbe and Jennifer Eliogu.
The scene was reminiscent of what obtains at the Oscars and Grammy. A beautiful display of fireworks, that lasted 15 minutes added colour and gleam to the occasion.
Soon after, guests were treated to a fresh round of entertainment. Coliseum's in- house band, The Shifters Band, presented their carefully choreographed dance routine to an appreciative audience. The Guv'nor of the Niteshift, Ken Calebs Olumese in his welcome address said that the 2007 edition is an improvement on the previous year's. He intimated of the forthcoming 20th anniversary of the upscale club that will take place next year.
Dreadlocked act, Rhymzo was the first musician to perform that night. He dished out two wave-making hits from his repertoire that got the crowd swaying effortlessly.
In the same vein, Okey Bakassi was able to sustain the high tempo of the occasion with his rib-cracking jokes.
Knowing the industry has come to its present glory because of the effort of stakeholders, the mood was thus prepared for awards to some deserving individuals.
The first set of awards went to time-tested actress Joke Silva, Emma Edokpayi, Yoruba movie actor Jide Kosoko, ace cinematographer/movie producer Tunde Kelani and Justus Esiri of The Village Headmaster fame.
Yahoozey crooner, Olu Maintain, almost blew off the roof when he went up stage to perform. Throughout his performance, he received a standing ovation from all. Unable to resist the lure of good music, the likes of Obey Etuk, Madam Kofo and Rachael Oniga found their way upstage doing the popular Yahoozey step.
The second set of awards following the music interlude went to movie industry icons like Olu Jacobs who was in the United Kingdom, Clarion Chukwura who by popular opinion was adjudged the best dressed for the night, Okechukwu Ogunjiofor who starred in the first ever home video in Nigeria with Living In Bondage, Toun Oni, a cross-over actress and old filmmaker, Chief Eddie Ugbomah.
Some of those in attendance also included, Lillian Bach, Kenny Ogungbe, Dayo Adeneye and ID Ogungbe, Kunle Afolayan, Ayo Badmus, Anita Hogan, Dele Odule, Benita Nzeribe, Elfreda Rowland, Patrick Doyle, Tony Okoroji, Charles Novia, Lillian Amah, Fred Amata, Jeta Amata, John Njamah, Empress Njamah, Dele Momodu, Lola Alao, Iyabo Ojo, Segun Arinze, Tony Umez, Zik Zulu Okafor, Ngozi Ezeonu, Ann Njemanze, Cossy Orjiakor, Victor Osuagwu.
Teco Benson, Bimbo Akintola, Keppy Ekpeyong, Mumagee, Azizat Sadiq, Osi Ukeje, Mamuzee Brothers, Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi, Bisi Ibidapo-Obe, Ronke Ojo, Kingsley Ogoro, Ini Edo, Zeb Ejiro, Chico Ejiro, Ifeanyi Dike, Joe Dede, Sola Fosudo, Tuvi James, to mention a few, were also there.
There was also Dr. Sunny Kuku of Eko Hospital Plc.