Liz Benson, Nobert Young, Others For BON Awards

Ageless Nollywood actress, Liz Benson-Ameye; Nobert Young, Adebayo Salami, (Oga Bello) and legendary Kannywood actor, Kasimu Yaro, have been unveiled as recipients of this year’s Best of Nollywood Special Recognition Award.

During the awards, holding on Saturday 11 October in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, the quartet would be decorated by the Chief Host, Governor Rotimi Amaechi.

Benson’s first break out role was in the soar away 1994 movie, Glamour Girls. Between then and the next decade, she had evolved into a major box office star with an incredible and impressive following.

Young, a University of Benin trained thespian, has traversed the entire gamut of the industry – with repertoire spanning stage, television, video and cinema. While for the past four decades, Oga Bello has been a permanent fixture in the Nigerian movie industry. The Ilorin, Kwara State born thespian has hundreds of English and Yoruba movies under his belt, and numerous local and international honours and recognition.

Like Oga Bello, Kasim Yaro is a legend in the Hausa entertainment industry. He is best known for his 2007 movie, Who Will Tell The President and the Amstel Malta Box Office-produced Cindy’s Notes.

“Apart from honouring the stars and stakeholders of Nollywood every other year, we have also taken it upon ourselves to recall the sacrifices and strides of those elders whose arts and artistry have catalysed the growth and global acceptance that Nollywood enjoys today,” a statement from the organisers reads.

Adding, “We don’t want to wait until these veterans are dead to give them posthumous awards, which was why we have decided to celebrate them while they are still alive and active. Besides, this year’s honourees are a source of inspiration to young actors because of their longevity and continued relevance in the industry.”