As preparations are being finalised for the 14th edition of one of Nigeria’s most prestigious film awards, Best Of Nollywood (BON) Awards, organisers have announced three Nollywood veterans as recipients of the Special Recognition Awards.
The trio of Jide Josoko, Ebele Okaro and Pete Edochie are lined up to be celebrated for their immense impact on the industry over the last three decades.
Prince Jide Kosoko, who attended Yaba College of Technology and majored in Business Administration, debuted as a young actor in a television show called Makanjuola. He has been in various Nollywood films in both English and Yoruba. Jide Kosoko has written and produced several of his own films and theatrical plays, including Ogun Ahoyaya.
Kosoko rose to prominence during the video cinema period, appearing in Asewo To Re Mecca and Tunde Kelani’s Ti Oluwa Ni’Le, Part 2. The thespian produced his first film, Asiri Nla in 1992, but has gone on to produce several others and featuring as an influential actor in scores of movies.
Ebele Okaro, London-born, Enugu-raised actress began acting as a teen in Santa Maria Primary School and proceeded to Queen of the Holy Rosary Secondary School in Nsukka. Her passion for the dramatic arts stood her out and she switched programmes to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts from the University of Calabar.
Following her graduation from university, Okaro completed her National Youth Service at the Nigerian Television Authority, where she appeared on television for the first time. After a stint at an embassy in Lagos and a bank, she returned to Nollywood. Okaro created and performed in the 2014 film Musical Whispers, which argues for compassionate care for autistic children. Ebele Okaro’s influence in the industry has earned her the moniker “Mama Nollywood”, dutifully respected by both fans and colleagues.
Pete Edochie is one veteran whose legendary personality has put him on such a pedestal only a few of the people in his class can attain. Pete began his artistry career as a radio broadcaster at the age of 20, as a junior programming assistant before being promoted to the position of director. He grew to become the Managing Director before leaving Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS). Edochie’s big acting break can be traced back to his epic role in Things Fall Apart which earned him an international award. The BBC flew into Nigeria to interview him for that role and the master actor has gone on to feature in over 80 movies, earning all sorts of accolades in the last three decades.
Jide Kosoko, Ebele Okaro and Pete Edochie’s impacts both on and off screen are worthy of celebrations and such is with the Special Recognition to be conferred on them at this year’s BON Awards, holding on the 3rd of December in Owerri, the Imo State capital.
These thespians are also known to have influenced their children into starting a career in the industry, starting another progressive curve of rising stars of Nollywood. Jide Kosoko’s four children, Temilade, Sola, Bidemi, and Muyiwa, Pete Edochie’s son, Yul Edochie are brilliant fruits of the veterans in the industry.
These veterans join the eventual winners of the 30 categories of awards for a worthy celebration.
It can be recalled that the full nomination list for BON Awards 2022 was earlier released with the movie ‘Ayinla’ leading the nominations count.
