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It was Pomp and pageantry at the Afro-Hollywood USA Award 2005 when Nigeria’s Nollywood stormed New York last Thursday January 13th 2005 to receive the Afro Hollywood award.
The “AFRICA’S OWN GRAMMY AWARD” was presented to Nigerian movie stars by the Nigerian Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations, Ambassador Simeon Adekanye. Those who received the legendary award include: Prince Jide Kosoko, Mr. Tunde Omidina (Baba Suwe) Dr. Sam Chekwas, Sola Fosudo, The famous Asewo to re Mecca, Ms Toyin Adegbola, bags the best female actress while Yinka Quadri bags best male actor Oliver Mbamara, Poet of the year. Others include Bukky Campbell, best producer, Julia Blamon, best model, Adewale Ayuba, International Fuji King, Alhaji Aladeowo, Fuji Mega Star, Brocton Pierce, best International actor. Among those who received the award includes, Jonathan Adewumi of Amarachi, who bags best club of the year, Ghanaian celebrity Papa She bags best Hip hop. Evangelist Kingsley Ogunde bags Commander of Gospel Music, while Biodun Koya got Best African Oprah.
According to Otunba Dr Tai Balofin, the chairman of Afro-Hollywood USA awards and publisher of the US African Eye Newspaper, he said The Afro Hollywood USA Award is an annual event exclusively designed to honor and give recognition, in live presentation performance and telecast to art professionals all over the world, who in the course of their life times made unequaled efforts, with outstanding artistically significant contribution to African-related music art forms and its developments by way of his lasting deeds and everlasting achievements. Otunba Tai Balofin who is also the organizer of the African Music Award further told the well attended –well organized award in history, that AFRO-Hollywood award USA closes up on the organic disposition of natural talent, from cultural perspective, and focus the beam of its projector on real talents; whether celebrated in the big cities or remotely concealed in the jungles, provided they are genuinely involved with the art of creating, performing, recording, dancing, singing, teaching, playing; for free or for hire; in audio as well as video, regardless of race, creed, color, nationality, sex and religion. These Are The True Heroes Of The Art World!
“A hero is a hero, sung or unsung, known or unknown, dead or alive!
To honor this is to make history!!”
Ambassador Adekanye, who presented the award, said African movie and music star should be congratulated for this honor and promised that government will do their best to encourage them. He said if name is something to go by, Art could easily pass for an endeavor limited to just African Music, or its tradition and cultural heritage; but it is way beyond that. Its universality is deeply rooted in history and evolution; e.g. history and archeology credited Africa as the cradle of human evolution and civilization. The Acting Consul, Mr. Bosah, welcomed the African movie star to the event and advised them to continue in their effort to promote African Culture. He said that their work is not only entertaining, but also educating the society; he acknowledged that they have changed the society with their art work and Music. Prince Jide Kosoko spoke on behalf of the award recipients and thanked the organizers of the event and the ambassador for presenting the award to them and thereafter the artist collectively sing and presented a sketchy play. Those who performed at the occasion are, Kingley Ogunde, Alhaji Aladeowo, ID Noble, Papa She, Biodun Koya, Emmanuel Obi, and Stephanie Obi.
Among other important dignitaries who attended the event includes, Dr Olumide Osoba, Architect Dipo Yoosuf, Dr. Kayode Ojutiku, Dr. Offodile, Mrs. Felicia Olisemeka and many more
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