NAFCA AWARDS
Prestigious Life Time
Achievement Award for President Jammeh from African Oscars (Nollywood &
African Film Critics’ Awards USA)
 |
| President Yahyah Jammeh |
The Gambian leader, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji
Dr. Yahya Jammeh was recently presented
the ‘Prestigious Life Time Achievement Award’ by the Nollywood & African
Film Critics' Awards, widely known as African Oscars-NAFCA, at State House in
Banjul, the Gambia
The Award is the highest honor given by Nollywood and
African Film Critics’ Awards USA. The award ceremony attended by all the
cabinet members was preceded by a presentation of the vision for The Gambia
from the Nollywood & African Film Critics’ CEO Dr. Victor Olatoye.
“And on September 16th, 2012 all the board members of the
Nollywood and African Film Critics unanimously decided that the Gambian leader
deserves this highest honor for his accomplishments in The Gambia and I told
them during the board meeting that every humble man doesn’t blow his own
trumpet and the same time I believe that His Excellency is doing a great job,”
he said, adding that one of the ways to do that is to honor the Gambian leader
with the Lifetime Achievement Award
So far only two African administrators have received the
Nollywood and African Film Critics Life Time Achievement Award, and they are
Babatunde Raji, Fashola Governor of Lagos State, Nigeria; and Governor Owelle
Rochas Anayo Okorocha, the Honorable Governor of Imo State, also in Nigeria.
Their trophies will be delivered at a later date. President Jammeh is the third to receive the
award.
Speaking at the occasion, Dr. Olatoye said “We’ve seen your
work and we want to congratulate you for being the leader of this great
country. We have been around and have seen a lot of smiles. Why are we here? We
are here because, we believe as Africans and people of African descent, we need
to promote our culture and people. Even though I was born in Nigeria and have
American citizenship, my root is right here in Africa and that is what I
believe in.”
He also stressed the need to establish a film industry in
the Gambia considering the high number of talents in the country.
President Jammeh described the award as ‘very surprisingly
and pleasantly shocking’. He said “At no time did I expect an award from this
far. I am not directly involved in the film industry though, but the fact that
my efforts are recognized this far, I want to thank Almighty Allah who made
this day possible and I also want to thank you Dr. Olatoye and NAFCA for this
wonderful encouragement. Rarely do film industries award politicians; however,
it is one thing to win an award but once you win an award you are challenged
either directly or indirectly to redouble your efforts and I am very proud of
Africans like you in the Diaspora that know what is going on.”.
The Gambian leader then assured Dr Olatoye and his team that
he would do more than prove to them and to those that supported him. “I would
never let you down,” he added. He also said.
“I think Africa
should have a movie industry that is continental and that would recognize
African continental talents, because nobody is going to expose these talents
for us. So creating the movie industry is very important and also if we follow
people we will always lag behind. Each country is rich with its unique culture
and so we must produce a movie that reflects our way of life.” dr. Victor Olatoye
Meanwhile the preparations towards the NAFCA 2013 continues
to intensify. Next we will bring you a
history of the awards. Stay with us.
www.AfricanOscars.com
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