By Dipo Olowookere
Organisers of the prestigious Best Of Nollywood (BON) awards have announced Kano as host of the 2019 edition of the ceremony, which holds on Saturday, December 14.
A statement issued by the BON 2019 Media coordinator, Mr Victor Ojelabi, stated that Governor of the northern state, Mr Abdullahi Ganduje, is excited to welcome stakeholders in the Nigerian movie industry in the ancient city.
“We are happy BON Awards will be bringing the nation’s movie industry to Kano to feel the beauty and tranquillity that our God given land is known for.
“Kano, which is the second-largest industrial centre after Lagos State in Nigeria and the largest commercial centre in the Northern Nigeria, also boasts of several tourists centres for our guests to feed their eyes on,” Mr Ganduje was quoted as saying in the statement.
Last year, the prestigious awards took place at the Kakanfo Conference Centre in Ibadan, Oyo State, with the former Governor of the state, Mr Abiola Ajimobi, as the chief host.
Speaking ahead of this year’s event, Mr Ojelabi said, “Preparations are already in top gear to ensure a hitch free and grand event,” adding that, “Kano people are happy to embrace the Nollywood industry.”
Meanwhile, the statement also disclosed that Mr Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State has agreed to host the award ceremony in 2020.
Quoting the Chief Executive Officer of BON Awards, Mr Seun Oloketuyi, in the statement, Mr Ojelabi said “For the year 2020’s edition of the awards, the people of Ekiti would be opening their doors to the popular players in the Nigerian movie industry by the special grace of God.
“Ekiti government, under Gov. Kayode Fayemi, has in its quest in putting the state on the tourism map of Nigeria, made the state a destination for entertainment.
“We can categorically state that the efforts of Mr Governor in terms of changing the narratives about the state is yielding great results and BON Awards is excited to bring the whole Nigeria, through the Nollywood
industry, to experience his great strides without being told.”
BON Awards is an annual industry event honouring outstanding achievements in the Nigerian movie industry.
The first edition, hosted by the then Lagos State government, was held in 2009 and so far, the events have held in nine states across the country since inception.
