Tomorrow at the third edition of the Nigerian Entertainment Conference (NECLive) holding at Eko Hotel & Suites in Lagos, a number of respected contributors to Nigerian show business whether living or dead will be awarded NET Honours.
The award, the organisers said, are in recognition of their efforts in the promotion and development of Nigerian entertainment.
The NET Honours are awarded annually at the conference organised by Nigerian Entertainment Today (NET), the premier Nigerian entertainment industry media platform. They recognise media and entertainment personalities for their contribution to the growth and development of the entertainment industry in Nigeria, which cuts across music, film, fashion, comedy, art & design, media & broadcasting and branding.
The prominent Nigerian entertainment personalities who will receive NET Honours this year for their contribution to the advancement of their respective fields include iconic OAP J.A.J (Jacob Akinyemi Johnson), respected broadcaster and music critic, Benson Idonije; award winning music producer, Cobhams Asuquo; media executive Alex Okosi, NBC DG Emeka Mba and respected entertainment writer Jahman Anikulapo.
Others are popular Yoruba movie actor Tajudeen Oyewole (Abija), Corporate Pictures CEO Razak Abdullahi, legendary actor and musician Moses Olaiya (Baba Sala), filmmaker Lere Paimo, Music icon (Lagbaja), Galaxy TV CEO Steve Ojo, renowned poet and actor, Adebayo Faleti and COSON Board chairman Tony Okoroji.
Among those who have passed on in the last five years that will be specially recognised are: Nollywood actor Muna Obiekwe, singer and TV star Susan Filani a.k.a. Goldie, renowned movie producer Amaka Igwe, rapper Olaitan Oladapo a.k.a. Dagrin, Kannywood actor Dan Ibro, and acting legend Justus Esiri. Others who will be remembered on the day are distinguished fashion designer Oluremi Dorcas Osholake a.k.a. Remi Lagos, Margaret-Mary Joseph a.k.a. Zara Gretti, prolific actor Enebeli Elebuwa, singer Kefee Don Momoh and actors Sam Loco Efe, Peter Eneh, and Francis Agu.
Others to be recognised are actresses Bisi Komolafe and Ashley Nwosu, Yoruba movie actor Ishola Durojaiye a.k.a. Ahmed Alasari, Nigerian music icon Fatai Olayiwola Olagunju a.k.a Fatai Rolling Dollar, street music symbol Olufemi Mayomi a.k.a. Father U-Turn, actor Tony Umole, movie producer Collins Ifeanyichukwu, rapper Obiajulu Kenneth Nwaozor a.k.a. MC Loph, comedian John Chijioke a.k.a. CD John and music icon Christy Essien Igbokwe.
Chris Ihidero, chairman of the NET Editorial Board describes the NET Honours as a small token of appreciation for the immense contributions made by the awardees to the evolution of Nigerian entertainment as a business and as a culture.
“Few things define the culture of a country so closely as its entertainment culture. The overall culture of a country closely mirrors that of its entertainment industry and the positive contributions they have made are contributions, not just to entertainment, but also to national development,” he said.
Past winners of NET Honours include music icon Onyeka Onwenu, Nollywood legend Jide Kosoko, street music pioneer Daddy Showkey, Gospel legend Ebenezer Obey, Media mogul Ayo Animashaun, distinguished moviemaker Zeb Ejiro and music executive Obi Asika. Others are Don Jazzy, D’Banj, Laolu Akins, Amaka Igwe, OJB Jezreel, Christy Essien-Igbokwe, Sunny Okosuns, Adebayo Salami,Sunday Omobolanle and Tajuddeen Adepetu.
The conference is a forum for entertainment industry discussions and agenda setting in Nigeria. The third edition of the annual conference tagged “Buying And Selling Nigerian Entertainment…And Everything In Between” will feature addresses and panel sessions involving prominent Nigerian show business personalities such as Davido, Shizzi, Bez Idakula, Linus Idahosa, Shina Peller, Tunde Laoye, Mai Atafo, Yetunde Babeko, AY, Wunmi Obe, Innocent Uba, George Thorpe and Jason Njoku.