By Charles Okogene
Last Sunday was AMAA. it held at Marriot Hotel in GRA Ikeja, Lagos. It was the 17th edition but if the truth most be told, the movie award event is struggling; at best it is critically in need of resources like a source who had worked closely with the organiser before stepping aside said.
And this year’s edition confirmed his observations as the show almost sneaked into town unannounced. The usual loud publicity on radio, TV, newspapers that normal accompany it was there, anyway that can be explained away by lack of wherewithal to power it; even it’s presence on social media, which as the last time this writer checked was free was not felt. That again can be attributed to the stepping aside of its former media man. Well, whatever, it is that is responsible for the gradual going down of AMAA, the fact remains that it is no longer the show where glamour and panache were on display years ago.
MVCA is taking over as the authentic movie makers’ and television viewers’ event in Africa in just six years of its existence compared to AMAA that had been there for the past 17 years. The usual nomination award party that holds in other African countries apart from Nigeria that has the sole right to the award proper, has not travelled to any country in the two or three years thus giving rise to the side talks in the industry across Africa, that the award better change its name from African to Nigeria movie award.
Before now, AMAA had taken its pre-award or is it, nomination party where names of nominees of a particular edition of that ward is unfolded. Countries like South Africa, Ghana, Malawi, Rwanda had once hosted the party. This was in an attempt at making it a truly African show; but not anymore now at in the last three or two years. That again can be blamed on lack of sponsors and maybe COVID-19. Well, that is a very valid excuse because since the show started in Yenogoa in 19… during the tenure of DSP…., it has never enjoyed any sponsorship or support from corporate Nigeria except for the five-year…
