Nigerian movie veterans – Late Sam Loco-Efe, James Iroha, popularly known as ‘Giringori Akabogu’ – and other practicing professionals have been honoured as first recipients of the Rock of Fame Award.’
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that they were recognised on Sunday night at the Zuma Films Awards and closing ceremony of the 2017 edition of the ZUMA Film Festival (ZUFF) in Abuja.
Sam Loco-Efe, ‘Ginrigory’, Kashim Yero and other late thespians were given posthumous honour of the Rock of Fame Award.
Late Oba Funsho Adeolu,Hajiya Amina, and the late actor and producer Adeyemi Afolayan, a.k.a Ade Love, father of veteran movie director Kunle Afolayan, also got the posthumous awards.
Also, other living and practicing professionals were honoured with the Life-Time Achievement Awards category. The recipients include Ola Balogun, Sadiq Daba, Edward and Abdulkaraem Muhammed. Others are Brenda Shehu and Femi Shaka, Professor of Film Studies, University of Port Harcourt.
Dr Chidia Maduekwe, Managing Director of the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) and Chairman of the festival organising committee, described the honour for the thespians and stakeholders as “well deserved.”
According to him, the recipients, living and the dead have contributed to the exponential growth of the Nigeria movie industry, popularly known as Nollywood, as it evolves over the years.
“This is our modest attempt in appreciating the enormous contributions of these film practitioners in the Nigeria film industry and their achievements thereof.
“They are today recognised as the first recipients of the Nigerian Film Society Rock of Fame Award, the highest professional recognition within the Nigeria Film industry based solely on merit,” he said.
Maduekwe added that the awardees will be formally inducted into the ‘Rock of Fame’ at the Rock of Fame Arena of the Nigerian Film Parliament in Jos, the Plateau State Capital, in 2018.
He also said the once biennial ZUFF, is to henceforth be held annually.
The closing ceremony and awards night was held in a buffet -dinner setting, featuring live music performances, comedies and live stage drama presentations.