KEMI OMONIYI
More Nigerians have mourned the shocking demise of one of the pillars of the entertainment industry in Nigeria and Founder of the prestigious AMAA Awards, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe.
She reportedly gave up the ghost at St. Nicolas Hospital, Lagos, after being in a coma since Saturday.
After speculations and counter-speculations about whether she was still in coma or truly dead, her family on Tuesday confirmed the news of her passing.
They said “The Emmanuel Onyechere Osigwe Anyiam-Osigwe clan in thanksgiving to God and in the belief that God is good and everything He does is good and in accordance with His divine will, pattern and plan, announce the passing to the eternal glory of our illustrious beloved daughter, sister, aunt and great aunt, Ms. Peace Maria Ogechi Anyiam-Osigwe (MFR).
“Peace, the Ada of the Anyiam-Osigwe family, was an outstanding personality, trailblazer, titan, pathfinder, go-getter, humanitarian, one-of-a-kind creative, and visionary leader in the film and television industry. Peace left indelible imprints on the sands of time.”
Earlier on, notable movie maker, Zik Zulu had broken the news of her death on a Nollywood platform. “Our President, Peace, has passed. As at Saturday, she was reported to be in coma at Saint Nicholas. But now, her family has confirmed her transition. May the memory of her life be a blessing. Rest in peace, dear Peace.”
Film director Charles Novia wrote on his Facebook page: “Dear Peace, I choose to celebrate you. You came into Nollywood in the early 2000s and from the get go, you inspired the industry with your passion for its progress and development. You wanted what was best for us all. You used your connections with government officials and diplomats to push and push for the industry. You opened vistas for many of us internationally with unselfish networking and positioning.
“You became blood. All through the years, we would call and talk and talk about the industry and how to make it better. I am glad you grew your baby; the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) for 18 years and made such a huge impact. I’m glad you made this journey and touched lives. For what can we be remembered if not for the lives we might have touched and good deeds done in spite of all?
“I never stopped celebrating you when you were alive and you knew it. Oh, you had your faults too and we all have but you were a good soul.”
CEO of Virtual Entertainment Network, Femi Aderibigbe, aka Kwame, said, “Not you Peace! Not now! You fought a good fight. You took on massive projects, even with health challenges.
“AMAA was your baby and you gave it your all! Ironically, the last time I saw you was at the last AMAA Awards Ceremony, but we couldn’t gist as usual, because you were being pulled in different directions by different people.
“I’m glad our paths crossed. I’m glad I was able to add value to your AMAA, in my own little way. I’m glad you gave life your best shot, inspite of your challenges.”
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State also sympathised with the movie industry in statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Gboyega Akosile.
“The late Peace Anyiam-Osigwe is one of the pillars of Nollywood in Nigeria. She was a bundle of talent and one of the best filmmakers not only in Nigeria but also on the African continent. She used her God-given talent to advance the course of mankind and contributed immensely to the creative sector through African Movie Academy Awards and African Film Academy.
“Peace Anyiam-Osigwe was a reliable partner in the Entertainment and Tourism pillar of our Greater Lagos agenda. She partnered with the Lagos State Government to train hundreds of young people in Acting, Art Directing, Light and Lighting, Editing, Sound Production, and Post Production, among others, through the African Film Academy. She was also a member of the Lagos State Committee on Film Production Empowerment.
“Peace Anyiam-Osigwe’s death will leave a vacuum that would take some time to be filled in the creative industry. I pray that God will grant the late Peace Anyiam-Osigwe eternal rest and grant the family, colleagues, and associates the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”
Peace Anyiam-Osigwe was not only the Founder of the African Movie Academy Awards, AMAA, but also the President of the Association of Movie Producers (AMP) and one of the most prominent figures in Nollywood.
She is from the notable Osigwe Anyiam-Osigwe family in Nkwerre, Imo State. The only daughter in a family of eight children, she studied Law and Political Science from Oxford Brookes University in the UK.
