SPOTLIGHT ON LEADING STARS OF AMVCA’S BEST ACT IN A DRAMA CATEGORY
By Animashaun Samiat Ayomide
Subsequent upon their recent nomination by the organizers of the annual Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Award (AMVCA), these sterling actors- Osa Ighodaro, Meg Otanwa, Nancy Isime, Kehinde Bankole, Bisola Aiyeola, Asabe Madaki, Genoveva Umoh, Stan Nze, Uzee Usman, Gabriel Afolayan, Femi Jacobs, Eyinna Nwigwe, Timini Egbuson have been admitted into the unofficial club of the leading men and women of Nollywood.
But who amongst them will emerge winners of the male or female act categories, when the 2022 edition of the AMVCA holds in Lagos?
Femi Jacobs – Introducing the Kujus
Best known for playing Makinde Esho in The Meeting as directed by Mildred Okwo, Femi Jacobs is on the nomination list for best actor in a drama of the AMVCA for his performance in the movie Introducing the Kujus.
An actor, speaker, and singer, Femi has received a couple of nominations as an actor in a leading role. He won the award for best actor in a comedy at the 2015 edition of the AMVCA and that of the best-supporting actor (English) at the 2014 BON awards. He has featured in several television and movie projects including Binary Unit, This Thing Called Marriage, Middlemen, Tinsel, and Journey To Self.
Enyinna Nwigwe
Dear Affy: Dapper and always one to play the leading man, Enyinna Nwigwe was nominated for his performance in Dear Affy, the movie by Sam Olatunji aka Big Sam.
An Economics graduate of the University of Calabar, Enyinna started as a model before branching out to acting. Best known for his performance in the box office hit The Wedding Party, he has featured in several critically acclaimed movies including; Black November, Hell or High Water, Games Men Play, and Living in Bondage.
Timini Egbuson
Introducing the Kujus :Born in Bayelsa state but raised in Lagos, Timini is in nomination for the best actor in a drama for his role in Introducing the Kujus.
Younger brother to notable actress and singer Dakore Egbuson, Timini studied Psychology at the University of Lagos (UNILAG). His debut on screen was in the popular soap opera by Mnet titled Tinsel. His most pronounced performance yet is in the 2019 movie Elevator Baby, which earned him a nomination and win as best actor in a drama in the 2020 edition of the AMVCA. The movies in Timini movie pouch include MTV Shuga, Fifty, Skinny Girl in Transit, Manhunting with Mum, and Isoken.
Bisola Aiyeola
This Lady Called Life: Hailed as an actress who plays a raised game, Bisola was nominated for her role in This Lady Called Life, the movie by Kayode Kasum.
Winner of the 2018 AMVCA Trail Blazer award and one-time Big Brother Nigeria first runner-up, the pretty actress has been grabbing screen roles easily. The singer and actress is the star of Ovy, Picture Perfect, and a couple of critically acclaimed short films, movies, and web series.
Kehinde Bankole
Dear Affy: A gifted actress, model, and show host, Kehinde Bankole, or Kenny Banks for short is in nomination for her role in Dear Affy, the romantic comedy directed by BigSam Olatunji. Hardworking, amiable, and friendly, Kenny made her acting debut on television and the two long-running television series by Wale Adenuga production, Papa Ajasco, and Super Story.
Kenny’s performance in This Life, the episode of the Super Story series, earned her a BON award in 2009, as the revelation of the year. Movies in her creative pouch include Perfect Church, The Set Up, Render To Caesar, and October 1st.
Gabriel Afolayan
For Maria Ebun Pataki : The multi-talented Gabriel Olasubomi Afolayan was nominated for his delightful performance as Afolabi in For Maria, Ebun Pataki. Son of the legendary filmmaker, late Chief Adeyemi Afolayan the ‘Kokoro Ife’ (Love Bug) crooner has acquitted himself severally as an actor, and he has raked in plenty of awards as an actor, including the Most Promising Actor award at the 2012 Yoruba Movies Academy Awards and the awards of Best Actor in a Supporting Role and The Rising Star at the Nollywood Movies Award (NMA).
He previously won an AMAA crest for supporting actor. The trained theatre artiste has featured in a couple of movies and television programmes including Ojuju, Kasala, and Tatu.
Meg Otanwa
For Maria, Ebun Pataki : The notable actress and fashionista, most famous for her role as Aisha in the groundbreaking TV series, Before 30, was nominated for her role as Derin in For Maria, Ebun Pataki.
A former banker who quit her job in Tunisia for a career in the movie industry, Meg hit the right notes in Nollywood when she starred alongside Ini Edo and Bryan Okwara in Emem Isong’s 2011 dance-themed movie I Will Take My Chances. Since then, there has been no looking back for the star of Hush, Ojuju, and Road To Yesterday among many other movies.
Picture credits- internet
