By Yinka Akanbi
Hours after news of the demise of the founder of the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) broke, condolences have begun pouring in for the late filmmaker and entertainment executive.
Peace Anyiam-Osigwe breathed her last on Monday at St. Nicolas Hospital, Lagos after being in a coma since Saturday.
While commiserating with the family and loved ones of the deceased, Executive Director of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Alhaji Adedayo Thomas, described her as a trailblazer who set the path for movie renaissance in Nigeria.
In a statement he personally signed, he said the late Anyiam-Osigwe was a visionary and dogged fighter who was passionate, dedicated and committed to her causes.
“I am yet to come to terms with the rude shock of the demise of my good friend and irreplaceable ally, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe.
“She was a trailblazer who set the path for the movie renaissance in Nigeria and across Africa.
“The fickleness and ephemeral nature of life will always cast a mist of mystery; her demise has left me completely hapless and grief-stricken.
“No one could have envisaged that such an affable soul will leave us so soon, even as preparations are in top gear for the prestigious Africa Movie Academy Awards 2023, which she worked so hard to grow to its 19th edition.
“Regardless, we submit to the will of the Almighty God as she is carried home on Angel’s wings. We are consoled that she left indelible footprints on the sands of time,” he said.
In the same vein, Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC), Dr. Chidia Maduekwe, also described Ms. Anyiam-Osigwe’s death as “heart wrenching, painful and saddening”, adding that “the film industry has lost one of its finest, most dedicated, consummate and hardworking stakeholder who contributed so much to the growth of Nigeria’s film industry”.
He said: “She caught the fancy and interest of Nigerians and indeed Africans especially youths and upcoming filmmakers, given the sustained and annual film training and mentorship opportunities she provided through the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA). Peace Anyiam-Osigwe’s role in uplifting the professional competencies of filmmakers, content development for the small and big screen; film distribution and marketing, film festivals and awards, film policy development are remarkable.”
Veteran Nollywood actress, Joke Silva, also mourned the late AMAA founder.
In a message she wrote on her Instagram handle on Tuesday, the 61-year-old actress called on the deceased to “greet” fellow filmmaker Amaka Igwe who died in 2014.
“2023…you have started! Rest dear aburo. You tried. May the Lord strengthen your family to bear this irreplaceable loss. Greet Amaka Igwe. Chai. Death you are bloody rude. R.I.P. Peace Anyiam-Osigwe,” the actress wrote.