By Damiete Braide
The night of tribute for the late Nigerian filmmaker and Chief Executive Officer, Africa Film Academy Nigeria Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) took place last Saturday in Lagos.
Peace Anyiam-Osigwe was called “the queen of Nollywood films” due to her outstanding impact to promote the Nigerian movie industry. The Imo state-born filmmaker died on January 10, 2023.
Sadly, on the 10th of January 2023, the Imo state-born filmmaker died after lying in comatose for a period of time, as several thespians and her family members took to their social media accounts to mourn the death of an icon.
In her tribute to Ms Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, Rita Dominic said “ We have lost the founder, Director of AMAA. She has empowered a lot of filmmakers across Africa, and even beyond the shores of the continent including me.
“Today, we are honouring a lovely, courageous woman who has empowered so many creative artists across Africa. She was ready to listen to any problem that you brought to her. She was a wonderful person, and I pray that her legacy lives on through this prestigious AMAA.
Another Nollywood actress, Ngozi Nwozu, said: “I don’t know where to start from, because my standing here today is a miracle. Her family knows my story, and my story would never have been complete without Peace and the late Amaka Igwe. They were there for me. They stood by me, even when I thought what happened to Peace today could have been me, but they made sure I stayed alive.”
Patience Ozokwor started her tribute with a song in Igbo. She told the gathering, “Tell Peace that those women from the village that you took to South Africa, are crying in Enugu. Tell her to come back, because the next batch of women that you will take to South Africa are waiting for her except you give us somebody that will take them.
“For me, I am not here to cry but to tell her the simple truth. You cannot abandon me on the way, in a very terrible situation, Peace, why nah? Is
Is this what we discussed that was not the plan? It is usually good when you plan something, you carry it out, you cannot leave me like this? Where will I get the money to train them? Where are the 11 women who had never entered a flight in their life feel?
“You took them to South Africa, put them in a 5-Star hotel, gave them food and they are talking about how you will take them but now they are crying. I thought about it and said, ‘What am I going to do?’ It is not difficult for me to come for the night of tributes, but I said, “Let me come and show them the picture of the woman who took them abroad’.”
In their tributes, children of the deceased known as Michael’s Angels, said: “We know that only goodness, love and mercy have followed you all the days of your life and now, under God’s infinite grace and bountiful mercy, you will continue to dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
“As God makes you perfect your path into his eternal light, we remain thankful for the positive impact you had on the national and global community through your undiluted passion for creativity and your equally significant role as an irreplaceable member of our family.”
A day after, at St Dominic Church, Yaba, a Service of Songs was held in her honour. The service started at 4:06pm with an opening hymn entitled ‘Help, Lord, The Souls’ and other hymns were sung and various Bible passages were read.
Father Charles, who officiated the service said: “We thank God for the life of Peace Peace Anyim-Osigwe, who I call Ogechi as people may not know her with that name. She has impacted the lives of so many people. Death is something that is bound to happen to everyone. Our sister has gone ahead of us in faith. Today, we eulogise her.
“We cannot talk about all the wonderful things that she has done but stood on the promise that anyone who has taken in the holy communion shall live with Christ in eternity.” The choir rendered a special rendition entitled ‘He Raised Me Up!’
In his vote of thanks, speaking on behalf of the family, Kennedy said: “We know that this is a period where people have come to share our pain and loss. We appreciate all those who have come for this service. This is a passing challenge for all of us.”