Dazzling Eko Star award for leading ladies of film, TV

For their commitment, hardwork, dedication and achievements in the film and television industry, some leading women working in the creative space where recently recognised at a special award ceremony dubbed Eko Star Film and TV Awards.

The award, part of the Eko Culture Series, was organised by the Lagos State Government, through its Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and the Mo Abudu led EbonyLife Place to pay tributes to some female personalities working in the Nigerian film and television space.

About 65 awards, including that of ‘A Lifetime Achievement Like No Other’ presented to Veteran actress Taiwo Ajai-Lycett and ‘A Special Recognition Award that inspires’ won by Veteran actress Joke Silva, were presented at the ceremony, which held at magnificent EbonyLife Place in Lagos.

Celebrity salutes all the award recipients who have continued to excel in an industry that was hitherto dominated by their male counterparts. The spotlight today, is on a few of the award recipients who represent a fraction of other women that also deserve to be recognised.

Dakore Egbuson -Akande

Dakore Akande

NOTABLE actress Dakore Egbuson-Akande made the maiden Eko Star awardees list. Observers believe that multiple award-winning actress made the cut because of how she always brings class and finesse to the interpretation of roles. She plays nearly every role she is given with so much depth and with the right attitude.

Those who have followed her career say they are not surprised at her sharp portrayal. They say that she has always acted with unerring skill and that she has a way of throwing her whole being into every role she portrays. A multiple award winning film /stage actor, TV personality, singer and dancer, Dakore is an ambassador for Amnesty International and Oxfam of America. A seasoned actress with stellar performances, Dakore played leading roles in Silent Tears, Emotional Crack, Games Men Play and most recently Fifty amongst many others.

Funke Akindele
POPULAR Nollywood actress Funke Akindele-Bello made the Eko Star list. A prolific actress and content producer, Funke deserve to be honoured for her passion and commitment to the craft. Indeed, this Ikorodu born pretty Law graduate of the University of Lagos, who endeared herself to producers in Nollywood for the engaging runs she had in the television serial I need To Know, has moved far beyond her post I need to Know efforts. She is currently one of the hottest actresses and producer on the turf raking in credits and award as she runs along.

Born under the horoscope sign Virgo to parents whom she described as ‘very liberal’ and who are both from Ikorudu, in Lagos State, Funke, has proven with her numerous offerings that she is cut out for acting and the business of motion picture production even though she read law. Influenced greatly by the acting abilities of some of Nigeria’s great actresses like Barbara Soky, Joke Silva, Liz Benson and the late Bimpe Adekola aka Ireti, Funke has received all the major awards that is there to receive including the Future Award, the Best of Nollywood Awards for best actress, the Afro Hollywood Award, the African Magic Viewers Choice Award (AMVCA) and the prestigious Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) for her effort in the Yoruba comic movie Jenifa, which she starred in and produced.

In her movie pouch are such other hit flicks Atlanta with Charles Novia, Egg of Life with Andy Amanechi, ‘Final Whistle’ with Ifeanyi Ikpoenyi, Botife, Osele, Ojo Ke Ta La, Jenifa, Apaadi and lately Omo Ghetto, which has been declared the highest grossing movie of 2020/2021.

Kemi Adetiba
CELEBRATED music video and movie director Kemi Adetiba made the cut and rightly so. The directing and production force behind the box office hit King of Boys, (KOB) is one of the committed female directors working in Nollywood.

Best known for directing the first part of the award winning romantic comedy Wedding Party 1, listed as Nigeria’s highest selling box office movie of the last decade, Kemi’s KOB had an impressive cinema run and closed 2019 with a listing on Netflix and the award of Best Nigerian Film by the organizers of the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA). The hardworking filmmaker is currently putting finishing touches to the sequel of the box office hit ‘KOB’.

Jade Osiberu
AWARD winning director Jade Osiberu made the Eko Star list. The director of Isoken and the romantic comedy Sugar Rush, which stars some notable Nollywood actors including Adesua Etomi-Wellington, Omoni Oboli, and Bisi Aiyeola, Jade is an alumnus of the University of Manchester, London where she studied Computer and Systems Engineering and the Pan Atlantic University where she obtained a Masters degree in Media and Communications.

Osiberu is best known for her 2017 directorial debut Isoken, which has won several awards including the award for the best Nigerian film at the 2018 edition of the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA)

Patience Oghre-Imobhio
NOTABLE film and television director Patience Oghre-Imobhio made the cut. The graduate of Theatre Arts of the University of Jos is the directing force behind a couple of successful movies, including 3 Wise Men and Knockout by Wale Adenuga Productions.

Also known for helming critically acclaimed television soaps and series including Dominos, Everyday People and Dear Mother, Patience had earlier helmed two movies Three Wise Men and Busted. Just recently, she helmed the remake of the popular television series Village Headmaster. The series is a collaborative effort between the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and Wale Adenuga Productions (WAP)

Blessing Effion Egbe
PROLIFIC writer, producer and director Blessing Effiom Egbe was also recognised for her invaluable contributions to the motion picture space. The actress and former model is best known for directing and producing the popular Lekki Wives. Blessing is a prolific writer, producer and director who now runs an online distribution platform. She is the writer, producer of director of critically acclaimed movies such as Ten Virgins, Two Brides And A Baby, Iqou’s Journal, One Room and The Women.

Other award recipients include Judith Audu, Shaffy Bello, Chioma Ude, Ufoma McDermott, Ebele Okaro, Ini Edo, Debbie Odutayo and others.