Justice Esiri resurrects in Yenagoa as AMAA in quest Best Actor of the Year

Written by Ajibade Alabi

Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State is playing host to the ninth edition of African Movie Academy Award (AMAA) tonight. The event which is to be anchored by the Nigerian duo, Dakore Egbuson and Ayo Makun  will be joined by the Ghanaian act Ama K. Abebrese, a British actress of Akan origin in Ghana as  host is dubbed Afican’s version of the Oscars. Venue of the AMMA is  Glory land Cultural Centre.

Dakore, a prominent figure among Nigerian female actors and an indigene of Bayelsa State, is expected to add pep and glamour to the event. According to Tony Anih, AMAA  Director of Administration who spoke with Nigerian Compass, the three presenters will bring more glamour to the event. “This year's awards host were carefully selected to give guests new experience and promote the spirit of unity in Africa which the awards scheme has been promoting in the last nine years of existence.

“Each of them will bring to the stage their vast experiences as celebrities, event and TV hosts. AY’s pedigree as a stand-up comedian is outstanding. As an actress and TV presenter, Dakore is a class act. Ama K will hold the audience with her unique and definitive mastery of English language as a former British television presenter and one of Ghana’s best female actors,’’ he said.

Already, all necessary plans have been concluded with officials of Bayelsa State government to have a hitch-free event to deliver a new experience.

“We are working very hard to make sure we don’t have logistics problem which has always been one area we have been falling short of expectations. Again our guests must also bear it in mind that Bayelsa is not Lagos or Abuja where we have ready-made infrastructure that can support event of this magnitude. Bayelsa is still developing as a city and the present government of Governor Dickson is working hard to accelerate the development of Yenagoa into a modern city,’’ he stressed.

In the run off to the award, late Nollywood actor, Justice Esiri spirit will come alive today, as the late veteran actor battles with Bimbo Manuel for the Best Actor of the year. His lead role in Assasins Practice was enough to get him nominated for the award in which if he eventually wins, he will become the first late icon to win such a prestigious award.


In the female category, it will be a battle between Rita Dominic and Yvonne Okoro for the Best Female Actress.

Whichever the podium swings today, it is obvious that the glitz and glamour of Africa's own Oscar award would have been raised higher.