29th August 2024, NewsOrient, Entertainment, Features, News
By Onyekwere Orji, Lagos

The 9th edition of Nollywood Film Festival Germany, and the Nollywood Europe Golden Awards (NEGA), brought together a remarkable assembly of notable figures from Nigerian communities across Europe and beyond.

The vibrant and distinguished attendees marked a dream come true for the organizers, making the event a resounding success.

The festivities were officially declared open by the new Consul General of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Frankfurt, Ambassador Yakubu Dadu, PhD.

In his opening address, he expressed his enthusiasm for meeting such a significant cultural initiative in Frankfurt. He promised to partner with Ehizoya Golden Entertainment e.V to promote Nigeria’s image globally, emphasizing the power of Nollywood in projecting Nigeria to the world positively.

“Isaac Izoya, thank you for making our job easier. We will capitalize on this platform and bring even more stars to next year’s event,” Ambassador Dadu declared before declaring the festival open.

The two day event started with the screening of Nollywood movie “OFFSHOOT”, produced by award-winning creative producer Toyin Adewumi, directed by Ayeny T. Steve and distributed by Cinemax.

The synopsis of the film is about Modesire Mbakwe, a wife and mother who becomes the Acting Head of Operations and General Investigation at the National Drug Agency (NDA).

The film delves into issues like drug trafficking, corruption, and the challenges faced by women in male-dominated fields. Its cinematic brilliance lies in its seamless blend of love and family themes, keeping the audience captivated.

The storyline also showcased a new sense of poetic justice in Nollywood, emphasizing that actions have consequences, as seen when the character Dike Mbakwe, played by Kelechi Udegbe, is arrested at the order of his wife Dee (Kehinde Bankole).

The second screening of the day was “IYEOBA”, directed by Dr. Henry Emeka Obidi. Iyeoba was one of the most eagerly awaited films centred on the Benin Kingdom, particularly for its cultural and historical narratives tied to the ongoing campaigns for the return of Benin artifacts from European countries.

The film features prominent stars from Nollywood, the United States, and the United Kingdom, such as Alex Usifo, Ngozi Ezeonu, Nosa Rex, and Maria Bessa among many others.

Day two which high point was the Nollywood’ Europe Golden Award, kicked off with the screening of another movie titled “A COUNTRY CALLED GHANA”.

The NEGA Gala Night which was the award proper witnessed the gathering of society’s elite which was held at the at the iconic Pupille Kino at Goethe University in Frankfurt, The event was a dazzling display of African culture in the heart of Frankfurt, Germany.

The event attracted distinguished personalities from various fields, including the host, Ambassador, His Excellency, CG Ambassador Yakubu Dadu PhD who opened the event with a minute silence in respect of a great Nigerian singer Onyeka Onwenu.

Other notable attendees included senior staffs of the Nigerian Consulate General in Frankfurt among whom are; Valery Lapang, Ismail Ahmed and Mr. Solomon Enejoh, , Nigeria ruling party Assistant National Treasurer and the former Edo State of Nigeria Ex-Commissioner of Arts and culture – Hon. Omorede Ekogiawe Osifo from Abuja, Nigeria, Prof. Stephania A. A. Alofuokhai-Ghogomu (JP) Berlin, Svetlana Svyatskaya, Advisor for Film, Visual Media, and Digitalization from the City of Frankfurt A/M Ministry of Arts and Culture, Natascha Gikas, one of the directors of the Africa Alive Festival under the invitation of The head of the Department of Cultural Administration and Promotion, Mr. Johannes Promnitz, and Elder Ajibola Antonio.

Top models from Rome, Italy, Cultural Ambassador Princess Okaine, Edith Agbonhese from Ireland, Journalist and Nollywood researcher Tunji Offeyi from UK, Nigerman, Hip Hop singer from Berlin Chioma Akuezue and Frankfurt based Heidi Ivangs-Kariuki to name but a few.

Some of the top A-List Nigerian entertainers that Nollywood Film-Makers that received award are: The National president of Association of Movie producers (AMP) Dr Ambassador Queen Blessing Ebigieson, Director of Iyeoba – (Family Historic Drama award) and producer of Offshoot – (Best Action Film) Dr Henry Emeka Obidi (NEGA award of Merit for Directing) and Toyin Adewumi, British born Nigerian star Kalu Ikeagu (Outstanding Legend Award of the year), Legendry Felix Duke (Living Legend Award of the year), Nollywood stakeholder Julius A. Amioje (Nollywood Humanitarian Ambassador), the reigning star of Nollywood – Sarian Martin Oruene (Distinctive Creative Actor of the year) and of course, the associate producer of “A Country Called Ghana” (Best indigenous Film) Mr. Ray Moni from Ghana with Edo Sons Of legends and Edes Okojie musical Bands from Nigeria that entertained Nollywood fans and members of Nollywood Practitioners Europe to name but just a few.

The NEGA Awards (Nollywood Europe Golden Awards) is a prestigious platform that honours Nollywood stakeholders, stars, comedians, musicians, and outstanding politicians and business people who have directly or indirectly impacted Nigerians worldwide and the industry. The NEGA Awards is a significant event in the Nollywood calendar marking the end of the Nollywood festival, often showcasing the best of Nollywood and celebrating those who have made important contributions to the industry. It is a platform that recognises talent and promotes the growth and development of the Nollywood industry.

The organization has been able to pull the crème de la crème of industries across the globe to Frankfurt for our annual events in the past.

In no particular order among whom are Senator Donzella James of Atlanta Georgia, USA, Hollywood film maker Queen Blessing Ose Itua PHD – Goodwill Ambassador At-Large to the United Nations, award-winning Development Advocate and a recipient of President Barack Obama Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Service, His Excellency, Ambassador Rimdap rtd UK, His Excellency Ambassador Ejinaka John rtd New York, His Excellency, Hon. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, Nigerian Ambassador to Germany now Minister of Foreign Affairs, H. E, Lt. Gen. F. G. Sibamba, Zambia Amb to Germany, H.E, Mr. R. I. Alhassan, Ghana Amb to Germany, CDA, H. E, Baba Wakil, the then Nigeria acting Amb to Germany, Nigeria Ambassador to Greece, H.E, Prof, S.O Agbi PhD, Prof. Andrew Haruna, the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University Gashua, Yobe State, Nigeria and top Africa film and music industry mega stars and Europe based stars to name but a few, have all honoured our invitations to Germany to grace our events.

The NEGA Awards is a prestigious platform honouring Nollywood stakeholders, stars, comedians, musicians, and influential politicians and businesspeople who have significantly impacted Nigerians worldwide and the industry. This event, a highlight of the Nollywood calendar, not only celebrates those who have made important contributions to the industry but also serves as a platform to promote its growth and development.

The event director, Isaac Izoya, expressed his gratitude to the Nigerian Consulate General in Frankfurt and the Frankfurt Cultural Office for their unwavering support, particularly in securing visas for star guests and securing the iconic event venue. He also appealed for sponsorship to help carry the growing responsibilities associated with the event.

The event was a mission accomplished, and as Izoya aptly puts it, “The Show Must Go On!.”

~ NewsOrient