Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday mourned the passage of Nigerian filmmaker and founder of the African Movie Academy Awards, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe.
He described the late Peace Anyiam-Osigwe as an Amazon of the creative sector, a trailblazer and visionary leader, who contributed immensely to the growth and development of the creative industry in Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole during her lifetime.
Ayiam-Osigwe, the President of the Association of Movie Producers and Chief Executive Officer of the African Film Academy, died on Monday at a private hospital in Lagos. She was 53 years old.
Governor Sanwo-Olu in a statement issued on Tuesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, stated that Ayiam-Osagwe during her lifetime produced many blockbuster movies, facilitated, trained and empowered hundreds of young people in the creative industry through the ‘Film in a Box’ programme by the African Film Academy in conjunction with the Lagos State Government.
He said the death of Peace Anyiam-Osigwe is a great loss to Lagos State, considering the unique role the deceased was playing in the actualisation of the various commitments and programmes of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration to the entertainment industry through the Africa Film Academy and Lagos Committee on Film Production Empowerment, which the deceased was a member.
The Governor also commiserated with the deceased family, friends and associates, as well as movie producers, directors, actors and other practitioners in the Nollywood sector over the demise of the renowned filmmaker, urging them to continue the good legacy of the late Peace Anyiam-Osigwe.
He said: “On behalf of my family, the Government and good people of Lagos State, I sympathise with the Association of Movie Producers and the entire Nollywood industry on the demise of the renowned filmmaker and Founder of the African Movie Academy Awards, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe.
“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 fill 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.”
Also, Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has expressed shock over the reported sudden death of Nigeria’s foremost film producer and entertainment icon, Ms. Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, bemoaning the fact that the Nigerian film and entertainment industries would be badly affected by her passing.
Ms. Anyiam-Osigwe, lawyer, philanthropist, entertainment executive and founder of the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) in 2005, and famously known as Queen of Nollywood films, reportedly died on Tuesday, according to in a statement from her family – the Emmanuel Onyechere Osigwe Anyiam-Osigwe clan.
The family described her as an epitome of creative transcendence, 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. We as a family and clan will continue to do all that is necessary to ensure that her legacy lives on,” the family said.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to Governor Uzodimma, Oguwike Nwachuku, said his principal could not agree less with the Emmanuel Onyechere Osigwe Anyiam-Osigwe family that Peace was God’s gift to humanity in general and the creative industry in particular, and that while she was alive, she acquitted herself creditably, giving proper account of her creative ingenuity.
The Governor said Peace was passionate about giving back to the society and worked hard to serve God through humanity.
Governor Uzodimma noted that with the Africa Movie Academy Awards, the Africa Film Academy, among other bodies that the deceased birthed, Peace impacted lives in Imo State, Nigeria, Africa, and even took the international community by storm with the harvest of talents from the black race at her disposal who competed favourably with their counterparts in Europe and America.
The Governor regretted that Peace died when her services were needed most, but urged the family, friends, well wishers, as well as the film and entertainment industries, to take solace in the numerous positive variables she was associated with that will outlive her.
“It is therefore not for fun that the Federal Government found her worthy to be honoured with the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic in appreciation of her contribution to the entertainment industry,” Governor Uzodimma noted, and prayed God to console those Peace has left behind to mourn her death while also granting her soul a repose.
Similarly,Alhaji Adedayo Thomas, Executive Director, National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has described late Filmmaker, Ms Peace Anyiam-Osigwe as a trailblazer who had set path for movie renaissance in Nigeria.
Thomas in his condolence statement on Tuesday, said late Anyiam-Osigwe was a visionary and dogged fighter who was passionate, dedicated and committed to her causes.
“I am yet to come to terms with the rude shock of the demise of my good friend and irreplaceable ally, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe.
“She was a trailblazer who set the path for the movie renaissance in Nigeria and across Africa.
“The fickleness and ephemeral nature of life will always cast a mist of mystery; her demise has left me completely hapless and grief-stricken.
“No one could have envisaged that such an affable soul will leave us so soon, even as preparations are in top gear for the prestigious Africa Movie Academy Awards 2023, which she worked so hard to grow to its 19th edition.
“Regardless, we submit to the will of the Almighty God as she is carried home on the Angels wings. We are consoled that she left indelible footprints on the sands of time,” he said.
Thomas noted that the deceased’s sacrifices in nurturing latent and budding talents into discovery and emergence would not be forgotten.
He said that late Anyiam-Osigwe was a humanitarian who selflessly took up the cause of humanity.
According to him, she was an unwavering activist for the film industry in Nigeria who will always advocate for the best for her colleagues and the industry.
“There are not enough words to adequately capture this loving soul.
“History will be certainly kind to you and the successes we recorded at the National Film and Video Censors Board will not be reported without the fond memories of your legacy.
“A rose has withered, the world has lost an amazon, the nation has lost a rare gem, the industry has lost an ethereal personality, and the earth will continually be emblazoned with the beautiful memories of her invaluable impacts.
“Peace, as I fondly call you, may you find peace in the bosom of the LORD, and may GOD ALMIGHTY grant your family and loved ones the fortitude to bear this irreparable and heart-wrenching loss.
“You will continue to remain a beacon of light, even in death. Goodbye, my friend! ” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria r(NAN) eports that Anyiam-Osigwe was a Nigerian filmmaker and entertainment executive who has been called “the queen of Nollywood films”.
She is the founder of globally acclaimed film ceremony, Africa Movie Academy Awards.
She died on Monday after a brief illness at the St. Nicholas Hospital in Lagos at the age of 54.
Also, Nigerian singers, Peter and Paul Okoye, popularly known as P-square, have expressed shock following the news of the death of Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, Founder of the African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA).
The duo in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos expressed how devastating to learn about the death of Anyiam-Osigwe, whom they had known for decades.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the family of Anyiam-Osigwe confirmed her death on Tuesday, saying she died after a brief illness at St. Nicholas Hospital on Monday in Lagos.
NAN reports that late Anyiam-Osigwe, who was one of the pillars of the entertainment industry in Nigeria, was 54 years old.
According to Peter and Paul, the history of P-Square can not be written without a mention of Anyiam-Osigwe
“The late amazon fondly called Madam Peace, apart from being one of Nollywood’s biggest advocates and promoter globally, played an instrumental role in our career.
“For which we remain grateful.
“Our hearts and prayers go out to the entire Anyiam-Osigwe family, AMAA, the African Film industry, AMP and the various charities she was a part of.
“You do not bear this great loss alone, we are with you. God bless and keep you Madam Peace. Rest well. Yours, Peter and Paul Okoye (P-SQUARE),” they said.
Former Governor of Imo State, Dr Ikedi Ohakim, also took to social media to pay his tribute to the late Anyiam-Osigwe.
“I am deeply sorry to hear about the death of Mrs. Peace Anyiam-Osigwe. I comfort her family in this hour of sorrow and grief.
“I knew her as a good and gracious lady who accomplished a lot in life. She will be missed greatly,“ he said.
NAN reports that Anyiam-Osigwe was so influential in the movie industry that she was called “the Queen of Nollywood Films”.
In 2020, she emerged as the National President of the Association of Movie Producers (AMP)
