BY Dikachi Elemba
The Owerri, Imo State, hotels and hospitality industry is preparing itself for a big pay day in December as the prestigious Best of Nollywood Award has been scheduled to hold in the city, described by many as the hotels capital of Eastern Nigeria, perhaps the whole of the country.
Oluwaseun Oloketuyi, executive producer, Best of Nollywood Award, leading a delegation of Nollywood stars to Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State recently, informed the governor of the forthcoming award ceremony in December and the choice of Owerri as the venue for the event.
It is largely expected that the coming of the creme de la creme of Nollywood stars to Owerri, during what would be the Yuletide season, will not only boost the profit of the hotels but be of immense benefits to the transport sector, the retail sub sector of the economy of the state, with increased influx of people to Owerri and shoot up the internally generated revenue (IGR) of the state in December.
However, Oloketuyi said that they came to present the hosting right letter to the governor and to appreciate him for the good works he has been doing in the state.
The “Best of Nollywood award is a travelling award that will take you to different places of the federation which normally takes place every December,” Oloketuyi said.
He informed that the BON award is in its 14th year, adding that it is the second time they are coming to the South East. The award ceremony has been taken to several states of the federation, including Ogun, Kano, Kogi, Abia, Rivers and others for the programme.
He said they decided to come to Imo State because “the history and story of Nollywood will not be complete without mention of Imo State because there are lots of Imo indigenes who have done well in the industry.”
Fielding questions from journalists, he explained that Imo would benefit from the event in so many ways as the event will boost the state’s economy and promote its tourism potential.
“School children will be educated on how to push forward in their careers. We will encourage those who are interested in acting. They must not go to school before making an attempt. It will open a lot of doors for Imolites,” said Oloketuyi .
Meanwhile, Governor Hope Uzodinma has assured the Nollywood stars that the government would do its best to support and encourage them as they prepare for the forthcoming Best of Nollywood ( BON) Awards scheduled for Owerri, the Imo State capital in December.
The governor thanked them for choosing Imo State for it was heartwarming to note that a poll of Imo indigenes are in the Nollywood industry.
