Rita Dominic shares a very emotional tribute to the late Nollywood icon Amaka Igwe, read below…
AMAKA Ene Igwe, MFR(1963-2014) – A Brief Elegy. Born 2nd January 1963, Amaka Igwe (nee Isaac Ene) may be the singularly most important WOMAN in the creation & evolution of Nollywood. Starting out as a young Lecturer Assistant at the then Anambra State University, Amaka Isaac Ene dedicated her young adult life to the creation of CHECKMATE (a Soap-Opera that leveraged on the previous success of Lola Fani-Kayode’s MIRROR in The SUN).
Her star actors were the 1st Stars of Nollywood. Her RATTLESNAKE movie trilogy, though came out a few weeks after Living in Bondage, was the 1st artistic success of Nollywood’s videography. With her FUJI House of Commotion, Amaka redefined the landscape of Situation Comedy on national TV. Married to ex-banker-turned-Film producer/marketer Charles Igwe in April 1993, Amaka was Nollywood’s female colossus. And together, Amaka & Charles Igwe strove to evolve a seismic paradigm shrift in Entertainment Content provision in Nigeria, the latest being TOP FM Radio, Lagos. Toe-to-Toe with men she stood! In recognition, she was awarded national honours as Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR).
Last night, Amaka was on set of her current movie! And Last Night, Amaka Died, still working on a Movie! Goodnight, great woman! Goodnight!! :’( Tears rain down. Rest in Peace, Great Amazon. Rest. We Won’t Miss you, because everywhere we turn in Nollywood, we see you! We feel you, Amaka!! I remain ur friend, even in the afterlife! – Don Pedro OBASEKI, PhD (Enogie-Isi of Benin Kingdom).. Your body of work will be an inspiration to many generations.. Adieu Aunty Amaka till we meet to part no more..#Nollywoodmourns
