NOLLYWOOD VETERANS HONOURED AT NITE OF MOVIE STARS

All is now set for the recognition of past veterans who created the platform for Nollywood, during the second edition of the Nite of Movie Stars slated for Sunday, 21 October. The event comes up at the E'tal Hotel and Halls, Oregun, Ikeja.

Organised by Heartlink Ventures Limited, the event, which is expected to be a potpourri of activities, will also recognise the immense contributions of some of Nollywood's past heroes who had paved the way and set standards for the industry.

Some of the veterans already pencilled down for honours include Oba Funsho Adeolu a.k.a. Chief Eleyinmi in the rested TV soap of the 1970s, Village Headmaster; Oba Wole Amele a.k.a. Councillor Balogun; and the late Joe Layode a.k.a. Garuba.

Others include Tunde Oloyede, Taiwo Ajayi-Lycett, Ben Murray Bruce, Teni Aofiyebi, Jimi Odumosu, Peter Igho, Lola Fani-Kayode and Jimmy Atte, while post-humous awards will also be given to the late Hubert Ogunde, Kola Ogunmola and Ade Afolayan a.k.a. Ade Love, among others.

Kemi Otegbade, Head Consultant of Heartlink Ventures, described the heroes as pure professionals who did not care about the fees they were paid for their jobs but were more interested in delivery and excellence.

She added that other issues pertaining to taking the industry to greater height, will be discussed as well. These include canvassing government support and favourable policies for Nollywood.

At the maiden edition of the event held last year there was attempt to unite English/Igbo home video actors (Nollywood) and the indigenous, especially Yoruba movie practitioners (Yoruwood), who had always complained of discrimination in the industry. The event was coordinated by Ambassador Segun Olusola and Dele Momodu, publisher of Ovation magazine.