The Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, and the President of Rose of Sharon Foundation, Mrs. Folorunsho Alakija, will be honoured with the Special NAFCA Legend and Humanitarian Award at the fourth edition of Nollywood and African Film Critics’ Awards.
The awards will be bestowed on both personalities at the Saban Theatre located in the heart of Beverly Hills, California, USA, on September 13,2014.
The organiser and President of NAFCA, Dr. Victor Olatoye, says the choice of the venue this year reflects his vision for African cinema.
“Our maiden edition was held at a hotel ballroom in 2011 and then we moved to the Carolina Theatre and Warner Theatre, USA, in 2012 and 2013 respectively. This year we are going into the heart of Beverly Hills. So, it is right to say that we are moving African cinema forward and closer to Hollywood,” Olatoye enthused.
Explaining why he chose to recognie only two Nigerian personalities at the award this year, he says, “The award is the highest honour that can be bestowed on an individual by NAFCA. The Ooni is being celebrated because he is a living legend and a source of inspiration to the entire Yoruba race, while Mrs. Alakija’s philanthropic activities cannot be overlooked.”