AGN introduces new laws on welfare, safety of actors

The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) has introduced new bylaws for the Nigerian film industry as it presented as the final report on the 10 April boat mishap that claimed the lives of actor John Odonwodo popularly known as Junior Pope and four other crew members while returning from set of Adanma Luke’s “Other Side of Life’ movie The boat crash raised concerns over safety issues on movie sets, prompting calls for thorough scrutiny and higher standards in the industry. The president of AGN, Emeka Rollas, made this known via his Instagram account on Tuesday, July 9. According to Rollas, actor, Emeka Ike, led the bylaws committee, with Jude Orhorha serving as the secretary. Other members of the committee includes Bimbo Manuel, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Joke Silva, Francis Duru, Patience Ozokwor, Hilda Dokubo, Abubakar Yakubu, Gideon Okeke, Anthony Ogbetere, and Femi Branch. He wrote: “Earlier this morning 9th of July 2024 I received two important reports from two special Committees set up for the following: 1. AGN BY-LAWS 2. ⁠BOAT MISHAP OF 10TH APRIL 2024 “The AGN bylaws committee led by its Chairman Amb Emeka Ike was set to draw up professional guidelines, standards work ethics, safety rules etc for members. “While the Boat mishap committee led by Mr Kevin Uvo was set to find out the immediate and remote causes of the boat accident which claimed the lives of 5 Nollywood practitioners including actor JNR Pope on the 10th April, 2024. “I commend members of the two commitees for the sleepless nights put into the committee work. I promised to speedily implement the recommendations of the committees. The reports were submitted by AMB. Emeka Ike, Chairman of the Bylaws committee and Kelvin Uvo Chairman of the Boat Mishap Committee, “The presentations were made in presence of the the chairman of the Board of Trustees, Chief Emmanuel Ogugua and the following members of the Bylaws committee and National Executive Council such as, Patience Ozokwor, Bimbo Manuel, Tony Ogbetere, The National Secretary of AGN, Abubakar Yakubu, Fin. Sec. Emeka Duru”

Actors Guild Of Nigeria Reacts To Zack Orji’s Death Rumours

President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Emeka Rollas has debunked news making the rounds that veteran Nollywood actor, Zack Orji had died. Unconfirmed reports filtered in on Tuesday morning stating that the actor gave up the ghost in a hospital at Abuja. But reacting to the news via his Instagram page, Emeka said: “Mr. Zack Orji is alive 100%. Please ignore the mischief makers who enjoy circulating fake news. This is to show how wicked some people can be. It is totally unacceptable”. Orji who supported President Bola Tinubu during the presidential election was rushed to the intensive care unit of a private hospital in Abuja early this year due to failing health. Orji was also reported to have undergone brain surgery.

2023 AMVCA: Afolayan’s Anikulapo, Shaggi, Ademoye win big

It was all glitz and glamour as the ninth edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) was held on Saturday to honour some of the finest in the African film industry. The event was held at the Eko Hotel Convention Hall, Victoria Island, Lagos, with media host presenter Ik Osakioduwa and South Africa’s Zozi Tunzi, Miss Universe 2019, serving as hosts. The first part of the main event had earlier kicked off in grand style with four red carpet hosts including Toke Makinwa,, Uti Nwachukwu, Sika Osei,  and VJ Adams. At exactly 7pm, the prestigious award began with a cultural presentation that thrilled the audience. John Ugbe, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Multichoice, reiterated the organization’s commitment to appreciating of artistes in the creative industry. “Rewarding the finest in the continent, inspiring filmmakers for bringing first-class entertainment into the homes of our viewers,” he said. The movie Anikulapo, by Kunle Afolayan, started the night on a winning note, swooping five awards at this year’s event, emerging as the biggest winner. Out of the 16 it was nominated for, Anikulapo won in the categories: Best Indigenous Language’ (Yoruba); Best Overall Movie; Best Sound Editor (movie/TV series); Best Writer (Movie/TV series); and Best Sound Track (movie/TV series). ‘Best Picture Editor’ went to the Crime and Justice television series, while ‘Best Art Director’ went to Wale Adeleke for the Yoruba epic movie ‘Ageshinkole’. Skit maker, Bukunmi Adeaga Ilori, known as Kiekie, and Elozonam Ogbolu’s “Back from the future” won the Best Online Content of the year. The duo jointly won the award in the category. Crime and Justice won the ‘Best Television Series’ , while Best Movie in West Africa went to Brotherhood, produced by Jadesola Osiberu. The announcement of Bimbo Ademoye’s first AMVCA win was welcomed with a loud cheer from the audience as she got the Best Actress in Comedy, while Samuel Perry, popularly known as Broda Shaggi, won the men’s category. Osas Ighodalo won the Best Actress for movie Man of God, Tobi Bakare won the Best Actor for the movie, Brotherhood. Leaked won Best Multichoice Talent Factory. Mpali won the Best MNET Telenovela while King Buga clinched the Best Mnet Unscripted Originals. Efe Irele won the Best Supporting Actress for 4-4-44 movie, while Abiseta Ahmed won the Best Supporting Actor. Nigerian influencer, Enioluwa Adeoluwa, and former BBNaija housemate, Beauty Tukura, won the coveted title of the Best Dressed male and female category. Patience Ozokwo won the 2023 Industry Merit Award, for her journey and dedication in the movie industry. The award was presented by Femi Odugbemi, the Head of Judges for the award. Ozokwo, applauded the organisers of AMVCA for the recognition and also thanked her fans for loving her. A moment was taken to honour the lives of creative minds who have departed—-Sola Onayiga, Ada Ameh, Sammie Okposo, Leonard Chimezie, Osmond Gbadebo, Gbenga Richards, Johnson Davidson and Murphy Afolabi. Iyanya and Tiwa Savage thrilled the audience with some of their hit songs. Full List of Winners: BEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA -(MOVIE/TV SERIES)- Osas Ighodaro – Man of God Best Actor in a Drama (Movie/TV Series) Stan Nze – Rattlesnake Best Actress in a Drama (Movie/TV Series) Osas Ighodaro – Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story Best Africa Magic Original Drama Series Rishantes – Dimbo Atiya Best Actress in a comedy Funke Akindele – Omo Ghetto (The Saga) Best Actor in a comedy Broda Shaggi/Samuel Perry – Dwindle Best Director (Movie) – Ramsey Nouah for Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story Best Overall Movie – Amina by Izu Ojukwu & Okey Ogunjiofor Best Africa Magic Original Comedy Series The Johnsons – Rogers Ofime Best Supporting Actor (Movie/TV Series) Odunlade Adekola – Jankariwo Best Supporting Actress (Movie/TV Series) Omowunmi Dada – Country Hard Best Soundtrack (Movie/TV Series) Gold Coast Lounge – Pascal Aka & Raquel (From Ghana) Best Movie – West Africa Collision Course – Bolanle Austen-Peters, Joseph Umoibom & James Amuta Best Movie – East Africa The Girl In The Yellow Jumper – Morocco Omari Best Movie – Southern Africa Hairareb – Dantagos Jimmy-Melani Best Short Film or Online Video I Am The Prostitute Mama Described – Taiwo Ogunnimo Best Documentary – If Objects Could Speak – Saitabao Kaiyare, Mumo Liku, Elena Schilling, Daniella Fritz, Ann Katrina Boberg Best TV series – Drama or Comedy The Mystic River – Rogers Ofime Best Online Social Content Creator – Oga Sabinus Best Cinematographer – Muhammad Attah Best Picture Editor – Tunde Aplowo for ‘Maria Ebun Pataki’ Best Art Director (Movie/TV Series) – Tunji Afolayan Best Lightning Designer (Movie/TV Series) – Matthew Yusuf for Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story Best Makeup – Balogun Abiodun for her work on Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story Best Writer (Movie/TV Series) – Manie Oisomaye, Donald Tombia and Biodun Stephen for Introducing The Kujus Best Indigenous Language Movie or Series (Igbo) – Uche Nnanna Maduka Best Indigenous Language Movie or Series (Yoruba) – David Akande, Demola Yusuf, Edgard Leroy (Alaise) Best Indigenous Language Movie or Series (Hausa) – Rogers Ofime (Voiceless) Best Indigenous Language Movie or TV Series (Swahili) – Freddy Feruzi Best Dressed Male – Denola Grey Best Dressed Female – Osas Ighodaro Industry Merit Award – Taiwo Ajayi-Lycett Best Multichoice Talent Factory – Daisy Masembe for ‘Engaito’ Trailblazer Award – Teniola Aladese

Celebrities, fans mourn Yoruba movie actor, Afolabi who died at 49

Barely 24 hours after the death of popular Nollywood actor, Obinna Nwafor, famously known by his stage name, ‘Saint Obi’, a Yoruba popular actor and filmmaker, Murphy Afolabi also died on Sunday. Afolabi died after he collapsed in the bathroom at his residence in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State. Afolabi is the third Nollywood actor to die within a week. Saint Obi died on Sunday, May 7, while veteran Yoruba actor, Mukaila Adedigba, popularly known as Alaafin Oro, died on Saturday. According to filmmaker and producer, Sodiq Adebayo, Afolabi had been ill for a while and was discharged from the hospital two days ago. Sodiq, son of veteran Nollywood actor, Adebayo Salami, directed some of Afolabi’s films including Osumare and Omo Mushin. The thespian was born on May 5, 1974 and had celebrated his 49th birthday last week, which was the last post on his Instagram page. The Osun-born actor carved a niche for himself with his use of rich Yoruba proverbs and unadulterated indigenous sayings. Afolabi’s death came as a rude shock to thousands of his fans and colleagues, who have started paying tributes to him on social media. A filmmaker and president of the Yoruba movies directors’ guild, Seun Olaiya, shared the sad news on a WhatsApp platform populated by filmmakers. The Managing Director of Corporate Pictures Nigeria Limited, Abdullahi Abdulrasaq, also confirmed it. Olaiya wrote, “I swear to God just before the news, I was still hailing him. This is really a rude shock to me.” Showbiz personality and convener of the Best of Nollywood Awards, Seun Oloketuyi, also confirmed the news. He said, “It is true. He passed away after a fall in his bathroom at his house in Ikorodu this morning.” Damola Olatunji shared his picture on Instagram with the caption: “Murphy but why. We all celebrated your birthday on the 5th of May not knowing you were saying goodbye. “Vanity upon vanity, everything we do is ‘vanity’, empty, futile and short-lived. It doesn’t matter if you’re wise or a fool, ultimately, because everyone ends up dying. Rest on bruv. Sunnnre ooo.” Nigerian comedian, Gbenga Adeyinka, also shared a picture of the late actor with the caption; “I am in total shock. May God grant you eternal rest Murphy.” Actor and producer, Kunle Afod, wrote, “Black weekend in the industry. We lost four people in the space of two days… RIP Murphy Afolabi, RIP Saint Obi, RIP Adidigba, RIP Techno sound.” Also, Olaniyi Afonja, popularly known as “Sanyeri”, said: “It is so shocking to hear the death of my wonderful friend, Murphy Afolabi. I pray God be with the family he left behind. Murphy rest in perfect peace.” According to reports reaching Nigerian Anchor, the Osogbo-indigene would be buried in his hometown today, May 15th. May his soul rest in peace. Amen