Toast To ‘ First Ladies’ Of Best Of Nollywood
BY reason of their recent nomination by the organisers of the annual Best of Nollywood award ( BON), these sterling actresses- Adesua Etomi, Omowunmi Dada, Kehinde Bankole, Toyin Abraham, Toni Tones and Bisola Aiyeola - have been admitted into the unofficial club of Nollywood’s leading actresses or acting first ladies if you like. But who amongst them will emerge winner of the actress in a leading role category when the 2020 edition of the BON awards holds on December 5 in Ado- Ekiti, Ekiti State?
Adesua Etomi- Sugar Rush Nactress
Awith an amazing talent, Adesua Etomi is in nomination for her role in Sugar Rush, the movie by Kayode Kasum. Adesua, wife of the singer Banky Wellington aka Banky W, is not new to award nominations. She has been nominated variously and she has also grabbed a few awards including winning the award of best actress at the 2016 edition of the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Award ( AMVCA) for her unerring role in the movie ‘ Falling’ by Niyi Akinmolayan. So, if she gets the BON award on December 5, it will be another win for Adesua who has so far shown stuff and has proven that she is that actress any good producer should engage if he or she wants an actress who can live a role believably. Born in Owerri, Imo State to a father who is from Edo State and a mother who is Yoruba, Adesua acts with depth. She throws herself into a role and makes roles that she has plays seem as though it was written with her in mind. Movies that have benefited from her convincing acting run include King of Boys, Muna, The Wedding Party, A Soldiers Story and Ayanma: Music in the Desert.
HThis Lady Called Life
Bisola Aiyeola – AILED roundly as an actress, who plays a raised game, Bisola is in nomination for her role in This Lady Called Life, the movie by Kayode Kasum. Winner of the 2018 African Magic Viewers Choice Trail Blazer award and one- time Big Brother Nigeria first runner- up, the pretty actress has been grabbing screen roles easily since she stepped up a few years ago.
A singer, actress and star of Ovy and Picture Perfect and a couple of critically acclaimed short films and web series, Bisola who participated in the 2008 edition of MTN Project Fame is on a mission to remain on the list of the industry’s recognisable faces and a win at the BON should guarantee Bisola a place in the unofficial club of leading ladies of Nollywood.
Kehinde Bankole – Dear Affy
AGIFTED actress, model and show host, Kehinde Bankole or Kenny Banks for short,
is in nomination for her role in the romantic comedy directed by Sam ‘ Bigsam’ Olatunji. Hardworking, amiable and friendly, Kenny made her entertainment debut in the 2003 Miss Commonwealth Nigeria beauty contest. A year later, the Mass Communication graduate of the Olabisi Onabanjo University competed in the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria pageant. A one time Ambassador for the Lux beauty soap brand, Kenny made her acting debut on television and on the two long running television series by Wale Adenuga production Papa Ajasco and the Super Story series.
Kenny’s performance in This Life the episode of the Super Story series earned her a BON award in 2009, that of revelation of the year. The star of Beyond Blood and Desperate Housewives Africa was also nominated for her role in the Super Story series at the 2014 edition of the ELOY awards. Movies in her creative pouch include Perfect Church, The Set Up, Render To Caesar and October 1st.
Toyin Abraham – Elevator Baby
AMULTI- AWARD winning actress and one actress that have successfully signed two box office hits as producer— The Ghost and the Tout and Alakada — Toyin Abraham finds a spot on BON 2020 nomination list for the terrific performance she put up in Akay Mason’s Elevator Baby. The co- producer of the acclaimed movie Seven And A Half Dates and clearly one of the most sought after actresses in the industry, Toyin won the award for best actress in a drama at the 2020 edition of the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards ( AMVCA) for her role in Elevator Baby.
So, if the Auchi, Edo State born actress who studied Marketing at the Ibadan Polytechnic gets the nod of the jurors of BON award on December 5, it will be double for the multi- talented actress has fea
tured in and has produced several movies in Yoruba and English language including Okafor’s Law, Wives on Strike, Alakada Reloaded, Celebrity Marriage and Knockout.
AThe Sessions
Omowunmi Dada – Nactress who has continued to impress with every new role, Omowunmi is in nomination for her role in The Sessions, the movie by Judith Audu. The star of Oloture, the wave making movie by Mo Abudu’s Ebonylife Production as directed by Kenneth Gyang, has been having a good run as an actress since she stepped up a few years back.
A product of the Creative Arts Department of the University of Lagos who was born and raised in Lagos, the actress, model and voice over artiste who has previously won a BON award has shown stuff as a performer and has proven that she is good at what she is doing. The humble, simple, friendly and hardworking actress has also proven that she has her eyes on the summit with some of her recent acting runs including Kunle Afolayan’s Omugwo, King Invincible, Zena, The
Antique, Somewhere in the Dark, Ojuju, Majele, Catcher, and Jimeji. A win for Omowunmi will be a fitting capper for what has been a remarkable acting year for the pretty actress.
Toni Tones- Killing Jade CTRESS,
Asinger, media personality and photographer, Gbemi Anthonia Adefuye who is professionally known as Toni Tones is on the BON award nomination list for leading ladies for her role in the movie Killing Jade. The University of Lancaster, UK graduate of marketing and economics has been having a smooth ride up in the showbiz industry. An acknowledged showbiz photographer, Toni who has featured in the web TV series Gidi- Culture and in several movies including
It’s Her Day, had a pronounced outing as the younger Eniola Salami in Kemi Adetiba’s box office hit King of Boys ( KOB). Her performance in KOB earned her a nomination at the 2019 edition of the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Award ( AMVCA). Movies in her pouch include Lara And The Beat and Royal Hibiscus Hotel.