An award scheme in honour of the late entertainment and showbiz reporter, Wale Olomu, has been floated.
Courtesy of frontline journalist and talk show host, Femi Akintunde-Johnson, who was Olomu’s colleague in the early 1990s, the maiden awards scheme is planned to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the late journalist.
Olomu, who is the elder brother of the London-based creative entrepreneur, Dr. Dayo Olomu, passed away in December 1994, one month to his 31st birthday. He was a star reporter at FAME Weekly.
In a series of social media posts, Akintunde-Johnson, popularly known as FAJ, said nominations of credible, worthy and inspirational potential recipients of the maiden Wale Olomu Memorial Awards (WOMA) have been thrown open.
“The awards will be held between 9 and 23 December, 2023 on our two-hour long radio show (via TopRadio 90.9 FM),” he wrote.
Nominees will be considered for two main categories: Special Recognition Awards (SRA) and Lifetime Achievement (LAA) Awards.
“Neither category is competitive, nor subjected to voting and regular selection processes.
“However, a Steering Committee shall be set up to review the credentials and pedigrees of nominated personalities, and thereafter identify and present a worthy candidate for each category.
“Of course, the Steering Committee would be encouraged to also carefully exercise their judgement, exposure and affinity with Nigerian entertainment.
“The only two qualifying criteria: One is that the SRA nominees shall be people of immense and aspirational talent, creativity and outstanding contributions to any area of the Nigerian music industry in any of the understated categories – meaning people who7 have been avid practitioners for at least 10 years; while 35 years and above for the LAA.
Second is that wherever they may be in the world does not matter, simply let them be bonafide Nigerians.”
The following are the tentative categories for your nominations…:
Music Producers
Sound Engineers
Studio Managers
Music Video Editors
Artiste Managers
Band Managers
Live Show Photographers
Set Designers
Session Men
Backup Vocalists
Percussionists
Disc/Vid Jockeys
Hype Men/Women
(List Not Exhausted)
The nomination exercise will remain open for nominations and contributions until the last minute of Friday, the November 3, 2023.
The organisers say Interested, committed, experienced and reputable volunteers can reach out to join the small-sized Steering Committee.
To Contact The Coordinator:
WhatsApp Only: 08033150547
Email: waleolomu1994@gmail.com
