Nigerian billionaire and philanthropist, Ayiri Emami, will on September 12 in the United States of America (U.S.A.) become a NAFCA patron. The organisers of the award said via press statement that he will also get the prestigious honour of the NAFCA Image and Humanitarian Awards for his accomplishments.
The occasion is the fifth edition of NAFCA Honours at the legendary Orpheum Theatre.
“The high chief will be honoured for his philanthropic contributions by providing much-needed assistance to the communities, empowering the youth and positive contributions to the Nigerian economy through his group of companies,” the statement said.
The NAFCA honours are prestigious awards organised and overseen by the Nollywood Film Critics U.S.A., given annually to recognise outstanding individuals whose lives have been marked by extraordinary personal and professional accomplishments.
Honorees are awarded the NAFCA trophies, officially the Award of Merit that is much better known by its nickname NAFCA. The NAFCA Special Honours were presented for the first time in 2011 to President Nelson Mandela.
Recipients of this prestigious award in subsequent years include His Imperial Majesty, the late Kabiyesi Alaiyeluwa, Oba Okunade Sijuwade Olubuse II, the Ooni of Ife; President Paul Biya of Cameroon, President Michel Martelly of Haiti, President Yahya Jammeh of The Gambia, Ben Murray-Bruce, Honourable Ama Muna Tutu (Cameroon Minister of Arts and Culture), and Dr. Folorunsho Alakija.
Others are Music legend, Bobby Womack; Oscars winner, Louis Gossett Jr.; Hollywood actors, Glynn Thurman and Keith David, among others.
Presentations of the African NAFCA and The NAFCA honours hold yearly during the second weekend in September. The NAFCA honours 2015 will also honour Floyd Mayweather Sr., Donald Duke, President Joseph Kabila of Congo, Sir Emeka Offor, and President Macky Sall of Senegal, President Abdoulaye Wade among others.
The African NAFCA is designed to globally promote among other things, African Cinema and culture. The prestigious NAFCA and NAFCA honours are awards of merit and are considered the highest internationally recognised African awards in Hollywood.
The organisers said Emami, who has promised his full support to the NAFCA, will be attending the award in Hollywood.