AMVCA 2024: Iya Rainbow, RMD bag Lifetime awards as Bankole, Ojo win best actors
Chigozie Amadi
Veteran Nollywood actress, Idowu Philips, also known as Iya Rainbow, and actor, Richard Mofe-Damijo, better known as RMD, have been honoured with the Industry Merit Awards at the 2024 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards.
This is as another actor, Kehinde Bankole, won the Best Actress category for her role in the movie, Adire.
Another popular actor, Wale Ojo, also won the Best Actor category for his role in the movie, Breath of Life.
This year, which is the 10th anniversary of the AMVCA, was held at the Eko Hotel & Suites in Lagos, on Saturday.
Hosted by ace broadcaster and master of ceremony, Ik Osakioduwa, the AMVCA celebrates actors and filmmakers from all across Africa for incredible performances and storytelling.
Receiving the award, Iya Rainbow, who was visibly joyous, thanked God for keeping her alive to see the day.
She said, “I thank God that I am still alive to receive this award. I dedicate this award to the almighty God, my creator, my husband, my children, and all my fans.”
Receiving the award, celebrated actor, RMD said the award was completely unexpected.
He said, “This is completely unexpected. This is for every actor out there. I am very privileged to be alive to receive this award. This is to all the actors and producers I have been blessed to work with. Thank you.”
Also, Bakole, expressed joy as she received another AMVCA.
Bankole had, in 2015, clinched the Best Lead Actress Award for her compelling portrayal in ‘October 1’ directed by award-winning director, Kunle Afolayan.
It was her first nomination for the award and marked her as the third actress to win in that category.
Receiving his award for Best Actor in the movie Breath of Life, Ojo, who busted into a Yoruba gospel song, thanked his family and fans for the award.
“God is alive. Halleluyah!” he said. Continuing, he added, “I thank God for this award; I am grateful.”
Also winning big for the night was young and talented actress, Genovevah Umeh, who won the Best Supporting Actress category for her role in Breath of Life.
She beat the likes of renowned actresses, Joke Silva, who played a supporting role in the movie, Over the Bridge; and Fathia Williams for her role in Jagun Jagun –The Warrior.
Others in that category were Eliane Umuhire (Omen), Tana Adelana (Ijogbon – Chaos), and Ejiro Onojaife (The Origin: Madam Koi Koi).
Also winning is Adedoyin Demola, who bagged the Best Actor in a Supporting Role award for his role in Breath of Life.
He beat the likes of Alexx Ekubo (Afamefuna), Itele D Icon (Jagun Jagun), Gregory Ojefua (This is Lagos), and Timini Egbuson (A Tribe Called Judah) amongst others.
The movie, Breath of Life, also won the Best Director as well as Overall Best Film category at the awards.
Jagun Jagun clinched the award for Best Indigenous Film (West Africa), beating CJ Fiery Obasi’s Mami Wata, amongst others.
FULL LIST OF WINNERS
Best Makeup – Campbell Precious (“Mami Wata”) – Winner
Best Art Direction – “Over The Bridge” (Abisola Omolade) – Winner
Best Costume Design – Lola Awe (“Jagun Jagun: The Warrior”) – Winner
Best Writing TV Series – “Volume” – Winner
Best Writing in a Movie – “Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti” (Tunde Babalola) – Winner
Best Sound Design – Grey Jones Ossai (“Blood Vessel”) – Winner
Best Editing – Antonio Ribeiro (“The Black Book”) – Winner
Best Indigenous Language Film (West Africa) – “Jagun Jagun” (Femi Adebayo) – Winner
Best Indigenous Language Film (East Africa) – Ormoilaa Ogol (The Strong One) – Winner
Best Indigenous Language Film (South Africa) – Motshameko O Kotsi – Winner
Best Documentary – Lobola, A Bride’s True Price? – Winner
Best Cinematography – Over The Bridge (KC Obiajulu) – Winner
Best Indigenous M-Net Original – Irora Iya – Winner
Best Digital Content – Medical Negligence and Copyright Infringement – Isaac Ayomide Olayiwola (Layi Wasabi) – Winner
Best Short Film – Broken Mask – Winner
Best Unscripted M-Net Original – Nwuyee Bekee (Foreign Wives) – Winner
Best Scripted M-Net Original – Slum King – Winner
Best Supporting Actress – Genoveva Umeh (Breath of Life) – Winner
Best Supporting Actor – Demola Adedoyin (Breath of Life) – Winner
Trailblazer Award – Chimezie Imo – Winner
Industry Merit Award
Idowu Philips (Iya Rainbow) – Winner
Richard Mofe-Damijo – Winner
Best Lead Actress – Kehinde Bankole (Adire) – Winner
Best Lead Actor – Wale Ojo (Breath of Life) – Winner
Best Multichoice Talent Factory Movie – Her Dark Past – Winner
Best Scripted Series – Itura – Winner
Best Unscripted Series – Gh Queens (Season 2) – Winner
Best Director – BB Sasore (Breath of Life) – Winner
Best Movie – Breath of Life – Winner
