It’s official! Organisers of the prestigious Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards have announced that the 2023 edition of the annual pan-Nigeria, travelling awards will hold in the ancient city of Osogbo, Osun State, on Friday, 22 December, 2023.
In addition, billed to serve as host for the event is versatile actor, Kunle Remi, while Media Maestro, Toun Cole, will man the red carpet.
Speaking on Osun State as host, founder of the awards, Seun Oloketuyi stated that the choice of Osun was a long time coming.
“Governor Ademola Adeleke is a big-time lover of the arts. Long before he became Governor, he identified greatly with the entertainment sector, and the moment we presented him with our wish, he accepted us wholeheartedly and even asked us to sound the gongs that Osun was going to host the biggest and best BON Awards ceremony the industry has ever seen.
“This is our 15th year as the longest running awards platform in the industry, and having Governor Adeleke on it with us is right on brand and the extra pizzaz that is needed,” he stated.
While commenting on the choice of Kunle Remi as the host for the year, Oloketuyi said, “15 is the unofficial entry into maturity. At 15, we are entering our mature phase, and we want to identify with people who are still on fire for Nollywood. Kunle Remi is the poster child for the new blood that has been injected into Nollywood in the last few years, and as an award that celebrates excellence, we identify with that. Who better to do it? Last year in Imo State, we had Lateef Adedimeji and Queen Nwokoye. We are not just interested in getting the rave of the moment, we are focused on people who can deliver value and that is what Kunle Remi represents.
It would be remembered that in the recently-released nominee list, Shanty Town, Herdsmen, and Underbelly dominated the line-up of films nominated in the 29 categories available on the awards platform.
Shanty Town, a 2023 Nigerian crime thriller created by Xavier Ighorodje, Chichi Nworah and produced by Chinenye Nworah, bagged 15 of the total 29 categories of the BON Awards.
Also leading with 11 nominations is Herdsmen produced by Chloe Coko and directed by Toka Mcbaror. The movie which was shot in Kaduna is based on mix fiction and first-hand experience, takes a look at the herdsmen-farmer crisis in Nigeria.
Underbelly also takes the stage with 11 nominations. The movie is produced by Tunde Aina. The movie is a thrilling and suspenseful epic that explores the themes of love, betrayal, and survival in a harsh and unforgiving environment.
BON Awards which was first held in December 2009, in Ikeja, Lagos State has continued to be a creative strata for the Nigerian movie industry. Every edition of the award ceremony is usually hosted by different states in Nigeria. Past host states include: Ogun, Oyo, Kogi, Kano, Ekiti, Delta and Abia among others.
