Airtel, AMAA Celebrate African Movie Icons in Style

Leading Telecommunications services provider, Airtel Nigeria has demonstrated its commitment to the development of the creative industry in Africa as it joined organizers of the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) to honour, reward and celebrate accomplished African movie stars at a lavish awards ceremony held at the Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos, yesterday (April 22nd, 2012).

The event, which attracted international and African celebrities as well as notable personalities from other professions turned out to be a joyous carnival of some sort as several movie actors, actresses, producers and writers literally broke down in tears of happiness as they received accolades for their industriousness, creativity, passion and initiative in the movie industry.

The Chairman of Airtel Networks Limited, Dr. Oba Otudeko (CFR), gave a rousing speech in which he congratulated all the award recipients, and restated Airtel’s passionate for creating credible platforms for celebrating and rewarding talented Africans.

“At Airtel, we are excited to be supporting an Industry that has brought laughter, joy, peace, excitement and happiness to many homes across the African continent including Nigeria. We all know that Africans love movies, and they particularly cherish movies that are made for Africa and by Africans. No wonder the Movie industry has grown so big in the continent. Airtel recognizes the beauty of the Africa Movie Industry and that is why we have thrown our full weight behind the 2012 AMAA. Today, we congratulate and felicitate with all the winners,” he said.

Otudeko also stated that Just as AMAA has over the years brought smile to the faces of the key players in the movie and cinema industry and their fans, Airtel will continue to empower people across Nigeria and indeed the African continent to communicate and sustain their business and familial ties through borderless mobile telecoms services and other innovative, relevant and affordable offerings.

“In Africa, Airtel intends to be the number one telecommunications operator just as it intends to be the most loved brand in the daily lives of Africans. As a company that is passionate about building reputable platforms for the celebration of talented Africans and Nigerians, we will continue to support initiatives that will bring excitement and happiness to the door steps of all our stakeholders,” Otudeko added.

The A-Class event featured performances from top African artistes including Nigeria’s Afro-soul crooner, Asa, and multiple award winner, Tuface Idibia.

Other top Airtel executives, who attended the event, included the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Airtel Nigeria, Rajan Swaroop; Deepak Srivastava, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director; Inusa Bello, Chief Sales Officer, Airtel Nigeria; Kehinde Lawanson, Board Member, Airtel Nigeria and Executive Director, First Bank and Adebayo Osinowo, Regional Operations Director (Lagos), Airtel Nigeria, among several others.

Works and personalities that were honoured include: Best Short Film category, Braids on a Bald Head; Best Documentary category: African Election – Germany/Nigeria; Best Diaspora Feature: Toussaint Loventure – France and Best Diaspora Documentary: The Education of Auma Obama – Nigeria/Germany.

Best Short Film in Diaspora: White Sugar in a Black Pot; Best Animation: The Legend of Ngog Hills – Kenya; Best Film by An African Living Abroad: Mystery of Birds – US/Nigeria; Best Achievement in Production Design: Kunle Afolayan’s Phone Swap; Achievement in Costume Design: Adesuwa; Achievement in Makeup: Shattered – Kenya and Best Achievement in Soundtrack: Alero’s Symphony (soundtrack done by ex-Plantashun Boiz star, Faze) Prize for Achievement in Visual Effects: Adesuwa; Best Achievement in Sound: State of Violence – South Africa; Achievement in Cinematography: Othello Burning – South Africa; Achievement in Editing: How to Steal 2 Million; Best Child Actor: Tshepang Mohlomi (South Africa); Achievement In Screenplay: Ties That Bind – Ghana and Best Actress In A Supporting Role: Terry Phetto – How To Steal 2 Million.

Best Actor In A Supporting Role: Fano Mokoena – Man on Ground; Best Film: How to Steal 2 Million (South Africa); Best Nigerian Film: Adesuwa; Best Promising Actor: Ivie Okujaye; Best Film In An African Language: State of Violence; Best Actress In A Leading Role: Rita Dominic – Shattered; Best Actor In A Leading Role: Majid Micheal – Somewhere In Africa; Best Director: Charlie Vundla For How to Steal 2 Million and Special jury Award: Akin Omotosho