The organisers and winners of the 21st African Film Awards were on Tuesday 7th November hosted to a diplomatic reception at the Conference Hall of the Nigeria High Commission, London by His Excellency, Ambassador George Adesola Oguntade CFR, CON.
Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the Court of St. James’s with the top diplomats of the mission which included Ambassador Kabiru Bala, the deputy High Commissioner and some ministers with Heads of section received the delegation.
His Excellency, Ambassador George Oguntade in his warm welcome speech commended the organisers and congratulated the winners on their success. He encouraged film stars to ensure they use their work to promote the image of Nigeria and also encourage them to impact on the economy of the country. Nigeria’s representative in the United Kingdom enumerated the diversification plans of the government which included Nollywood.
Prince Mike Abiola founder of the awards and publisher of the African Voice Newspaper UK organisers of annual African Film Awards led the delegation ably supported by Golda John Abiola, the Event Director, Oluwole Elebiju the Artistic Director and some of the organising committee members including Doyin Owoeye and Jimmy Eniola.
Prince Abiola in his opening remark thanked His Excellency, Ambassador Oguntade for making out time to receive the film stars and the organisers having resumed his position only few weeks ago. He commended the High Commissioner for starting off on a very good note by showing interest in engaging with members of the community. He then introduced the members of his delegation.
The winners of this year’s awards present at the reception were Alex Oma- Pius winner of the UK Special Recognition awards for contributions to African Arts & Culture, Marc Adebesin winner of Best Feature Film (Talking Dolls) and Sukie Oduwole winner Best director (Talking Dolls), Bode Odetoye winner Best Screen Play & producer of the film (Desecration) and Max Cavenham winner of Best Actor in supporting role in the film, Ken Ogunlola winner Best Short Film (Lodgers), actress Yetunde Oduwole who featured in the film, Ken Smart winner Best Actor in Supporting Role in TV Series Housewives & Girlfriends, Funmi Ogidan Bello Best Actress in TV Series Housewives & Girlfriends, Roseline Sanni Ajose winner Best Actress UK Nollywood, Rev. Prisca Richards and Dr. Sunday Popoola winners of Best Executive Producers categories respectively. Others are comedian SACO, Senior Advocate of Comedy and Hajia Hawa Yusuf a veteran broadcaster & journalist, the Europe correspondent of Radio Nigeria.
During the visit, the 21st African Film Awards 2017 Best Short Film, Lodgers, a film on the plight of those who left their careers in Nigeria and move to England under the Highly Skilled Migrant Scheme was screened.
An interactive session gave the delegation the opportunity to rub minds with the diplomats on how Nigeria can benefit from the talents of his countrymen and harness the potentials in the film industry. The diplomatic reception rounded off with films stars taking photographs and selfies.
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