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By Uche Okobi
It was glamour and pomp, a night to remember, when Cineaste Production and Technology held the first Ikeja Technology Awards (ITA) at Modupe House, Ikorodu Road, Maryland, Lagos, recently, to celebrate achievers and milestones in the technological services sector. ITA was an avenue to recognise top contributors in the Nigerian motion picture industry using the latest technology to tell stories, bringing concepts and ideas to life. In addition, the event witnessed the premiere of “Aweni Oosa,” a gripping Yoruba language movie.
Adewale Majeed Usamot-Amao, founder, Cineaste Productions, stated that the awards brought together tech leaders, creatives, innovators and stakeholders from all walks of life, as well as politicians and well-wishers, to analyze trends in the industry, examine prevailing conditions, opportunities and challenges and commend innovation and prompt delivery of service to clients in and outside Nigeria:
“The aim is to encourage new technology professionals in Lagos, in particular, and Nigeria, in general, to boost careers in technology, offer increased visibility, network, create opportunities and give support towards funding, partnerships and developing potential talents. All the categories are from the tech profession and there are four nominees each from every category. The votes were done online and there was transparency in how winners emerged, with statistics and video evidence as proof displayed in the event hall.”
The winners were: Data recovery, Sodiq Alabi; Hardware engineer, Akinwande Wasiu; Software engineer, Sharafadeen Adeniyi; Legit street ladies and men, Oluwasegun Owolabi; Laptop engineer, Lanre Bada; Phone engineer, Adebanjo Ayodeji; Dealers in Laptop and phone, Cut-price hub.
For the movie, Aweni Oosa, a Yoruba epic, which speaks about culture, heritage, power and female gender maltreatment, Usamot-Amao, who equally featured as the cinematographer and editor, said: “The initial costing for the movie was pegged at N10 million, but a whopping N15 million was spent due to inflation and dollar rise just few days to shooting. We couldn’t postpone because we had already committed some actors as well as other logistics.”
The movie was directed by Mr. Muhideen Sasiliyu Ayinde. Aweni Oosa was sponsored by Cineaste Productions to promote cinematic excellence, tell compelling stories and expand the company’s brand, as well as encourage investors and partners to embrace the vision.
It was shot in 12 days. Its cast members included, Yetunde Wunmi, Kiki Bakare, Chief Jimi Roland, Dotun Emmanuel, Clara Johnson, Aisha Raji, Olasunkanmi Akanni, Similoluwa Johnson, Aisha Lawal, Alh. Ade Aderele and Ganiu Mondus Saheed Fasholai. It was scripted by Sarah Adeniyi Abella.
The event was attended by Rekiyah Hassan Funmilayo, former Chairperson, Onigbongbo LCDA, Ikeja, Bisi Anifowose, secretary to the local government, Onigbongbo LCDA, James Matthew, aka Onimama, chairman, Ikeja Computer Village; a representative of Alhaji Gbenga Abolaji, aka Obama, chairman, team Lagos Ikeja; Oba Isiaka Adio Owolabi Akintunde, Balogun Oyero Ilufemiloye I of Ketu Kosofe; Amb. Adekunle Ajayi and Alhaji Imodoye.
Others were Sharkiru Adekunle Balogun; Ayo Odekunle; Abiodun Adeoye; Director of Studio, Arise TV; Pastor Francis Adebayo, Harvest Place Ministry; Laide Bakare; Mrs. Clara Johnson; Mrs. Dotun Emmanuel, aka Aunty Ayoka and Damola Olatunji, among others.
