Veteran comedian Chika Okpala popularly known as Zebrudaya and Nollywood actor Ali Nuhu have been recognized on Friday night with the Rock of Fame Award of the Nigerian film industry.
The duo were honoured at the 2018 edition of the annual ZUMA Film Festival (ZUFF) in Abuja.
Former Managing Director of the Nigeria Film Corporation (NFC) Hyginus Ekwuazi and other veterans in the Nigerian motion picture industry were also named for the award.
Filmmaker Femi Odugbemi, Director General of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Yakubu Ibn Mohammed and Director of Arsenal Film Institute Stefanie Strathaus were also honoured.
Nigeria’s First Republic Prime Minister late Tafawa Balewa was honoured posthumously for his epic film Shaihu Umar which was screened in Berlin, Germany.
Balewa’s film was also screened at the Cinematography Centre in Cairo, Egypt earlier in the year.
Managing Director of the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) and chairman of the festival organising committee Chidia Maduekwe described the honour for the thespians and stakeholders as “well deserved.”
“This is our modest attempt in appreciating the enormous contributions of these film practitioners in the Nigeria film industry and their achievements thereof.
“They are today recognised as the first recipients of the Nigerian Film Society Rock of Fame Award, the highest professional recognition within the Nigeria Film industry based solely on merit,” Mr Maduekwe said.
The late thespians Sam Loco-Efe, James Iroha, popularly known as ‘Giringori Akabogu’ were honoured posthumously in the maiden edition in 2017.
