7th August, 2014
Funsho Arogundade
As this year’s edition of The Best of Nollywood Awards gathers momentum, Rivers State government has said her support for the hosting of the 2014 awards was borne out of the need to reciprocate the organisers’ gesture in helping to disabuse the notion that the state wasn’t secure.
Tony Okocha, Chief of Staff to the Rivers State Governor, revealed this on Friday, 1 August, during the unveiling of the 2014 BON Awards nominees in Port Harcourt.
“When a lot of people thought there was insecurity foisted on us circumstantially and when they thought a situation of self-help had been foisted on us, we said it was not true.
“We kept saying there was peace and tranquillity in the state. But the organisers of BON had the opportunity of coming here to join us in our programmes. They moved from street to street with us to the extent that the Governor agreed to the proposal to host a pre-award dinner last year,” said Okocha, who stood in for Mrs Judith Amaechi, wife of the governor.
He continued: “With the dinner, which had in attendance many celebrities across the country, that allayed the fear of people who thought there was no security in the state. As a result, we were able to regain our lost glory, as nobody was kidnapped or harassed. Therefore, when you came to our rescue, I don’t see why we should not reciprocate.”
The COS thus assured that the state is fully prepared to host hundreds of nominees and celebrities that will be in Port Harcourt later in the year for the awards ceremony proper.
Meanwhile, Apaye, an Emem Isong produced movie has led the nominees’ chart with 10 nominations. The movie which features Clarion Chukwurah, Kanayo O Kanayo and Mbong Amata among several other stars is closely followed by A Mile from Home with eight nominations. Rita Dominic’s The Meeting bagged seven nominations and Silence picked six nominations.
The unveiling event was anchored by Bayray Mcwinzu.