By Yinka Akanbi
It is celebrated globally as home to one of Africa’s most famous festivals, the Osun Osogbo. But Osogbo, the rustic capital of Osun State in Southwest Nigeria will this Friday be applauded for a different reason.
The city will welcome scores of filmmakers and celebrities as it plays host to the 15th edition of the Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards.
The organisers had last month announced Osogbo as the host city of the annual award that celebrates the most outstanding films and filmmakers operating in Nollywood.
The event will be anchored by Nollywood actor, Kunle Remi.
The organisers also announced that Toun Cole, a media personality, will man the red carpet.reflect
In a statement, Seun Oloketuyi, BON founder, said the choice of Osun as the host state reflects the support of Ademola Adeleke, the state governor, for the arts and entertainment sector.
Oloketuyi also expressed faith that the ceremony will be the most spectacular in the awards’ history.
“Governor Ademola Adeleke is a big-time lover of the arts. Long before he became governor, he identified greatly with the entertainment sector.
“The moment we presented him with our wish, he accepted us wholeheartedly and even asked us to sound the gongs that Osun was going to host the biggest and best BON Awards ceremony the industry has ever seen,” he said.
Regarding the selection of Kunle Remi as the host for the event, Oloketuyi said: “We are not just interested in getting the rave of the moment.
“We are focused on people who can deliver value and that is what Kunle Remi represents.”
In November, the organisers unveiled the nominees for this year’s ceremony with films like Shanty Town, Herdsmen and Underbelly garnering most of the nominations.
