All roads lead to the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, formerly known as the National Arts Theatre, this Sunday, December 14, for the highly anticipated 17th edition of the Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards.
The event is set to be hosted by the dynamic duo of Bukunmi ‘KieKie’ Adeaga-Ilori and Adams Ibrahim Adebola (popularly known as VJ Adams), with the Executive Governor of Lagos State, His Excellency Babajide Sanwo-Olu, serving as the official Host Governor. The ceremony promises to be a spectacular celebration of cinematic excellence.
This year’s awards are not only a recognition of Nollywood’s best creative and technical talents but also a showcase of significant corporate and private support for the industry, highlighted by the endowment of key award categories. These endowments underline a strategic partnership between the film industry and various high-profile entities and personalities.
The BON Awards proudly recognizes the commitment of several partners to fostering excellence in filmmaking. Among the esteemed endowers is the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, who has generously endowed the coveted Best Indigenous Movie (Yoruba) category, emphasising the importance of local cultural narratives.
Further bolstering the awards, the prominent Lagos monarch, Oba Saheed Elegushi, has endowed the most prestigious prize of the night, the Best Movie category, highlighting his commitment to the overall success and quality of Nigerian cinema.
Corporate sponsors are also showing strong support, with Addme championing acting talent by endowing the Best Actress of the Year category, while Indomie shows its support for emerging talent through the Best Child Actor award. Abundish highlights the creative technical aspects of filmmaking by endowing the Best Use of Food in a Movie category.
The founder of BON Awards, Seun Oloketuyi, noted that these endorsements provide crucial resources and prestige to the categories, ensuring the continued celebration of authentic storytelling and technical innovation within the industry.
“The support from Rt. Hon. Obasa for the Best Indigenous Movie award emphasizes the importance of preserving and promoting our rich cultural narratives through film,” said Oloketuyi. “Likewise, the commitments from Addme, Indomie, Abundish, and the generous support of Oba Elegushi underscore the value placed on acting prowess and the creative technical elements that bring our stories to life.”
As the biggest names in Nollywood gather in Lagos, all eyes will be on the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts for what is set to be one of the most memorable nights in Nigerian cinema.
