Amaka Igwe Exclusive: RMD, Ego Boyo, Kunle Bamtefa, Kate Henshaw, Ali Baba, Norbert Young, Gloria Young & Daughter Speak

Posted on June 17, 2014 by Top Celebrities

It was a rare moment as a galaxy of stars gathered in Ikeja, Lagos State to pay homage at the candle night for late Nollywood icon Amaka Igwe. She died on April 28, 2014 after an asthma attack at her country home in Enugu State.
The convergence of movie practitioners on Monday June 9 was for the memorial service held for the Nollywood producer, writer and director who died at the age of 51.
The Haven Events Centre at GRA, Ikeja hosted hundreds of personalities from government, media, music, business and Nollywood. Guests included Abike Dabiri and husband, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Bukky Ajayi, Wunmi Obe, Olu and Joke Jacobs, Kunle Bamtefa, Ngozi Nwosu, Sola Onaiga, Bimbo Akintola, Nobert and Gloria Young, Patrick and Ireti Doyle, Tony Umez, Kanayo .O. Kanayo, Ego Boyo, Ali Baba, Zik Zulku Okafor, Waje, Teju Babyface and a host of others.
As a foremost leading player in the Nigerian motion picture industry, Amaka Igwe may not have started shooting movies in 1992 but it is not in doubt that Amaka Igwe’s effort as a motion picture practitioner has drawn international recognition for the burgeoning Nigerian motion picture industry.
Some of her early efforts like Checkmate and Violated have largely remained a watershed in the history of soaps and movie production in Nigeria.
Born to Isaac Ene, a retired civil engineer from Obinagu-Udi in Enugu State whom Amaka described as ‘very principled’, Amaka whom her father called GOC (General Officer Commanding) because of the leadership trait she exhibited as a tot, was born and bred in Enugu.
Top Celebrities Magazine, Nigeria’s Foremost Celebrity Journal brings to you gist, comment, tributes and pictures by some notable players in the entertainment industry. Enjoy…

GIST FROM THE EVENT
Red Carpet
The red carpet was mounted by various media houses, artistes and celebrities where they were asked to speak on the life spent by Amaka Igwe. Lots of paparazzi and photo shots were taken by Nigerian photographers.
Opening Prayer
The opening prayer was said by Rev. Owen and Revern Braimoh, they prayed for the immediate family of the late Amaka Igwe, her husband and children. Rev. Owen consoled the husband of the late producer to be alive in his responsibility and take good care of their children. He said Amaka’s legacy will not die and encouraged her immediate family to continue with her good vision. Rev. Braimoh used his session to pray for unity in the entertainment industry as the exit of Amaka might create a vacuum. He also prayed for the survival of Nigerian democracy even as the country is faced with the issue of insurgence.
House of praise choir ministration
The special song of the day was from the House of Praise Choir, they rendered a remarkable song to commiserate with the family of the late movie producer, Amaka Igwe.
Sermon
The sermon of the day was handled by Pastor Ossie who happens to be the late Amaka Igwe pastor. He spoke on the topic that says; “HOW WILL YOU BE REMEMBERED”. In the sermon, he challenged everybody to examine his/her life and after their death; what will they be remembered for. He said Amaka Igwe has done her best for the development of the country, particularly in the entertainment industry. Pastor Ossier further called on other producers, directors and artistes to keep the legacy of Amaka Igwe on. He said Amaka was a very good and devoted Christian while she was alive and said she was a member that any pastor will love to have. He prayed for the family that God should give them the strength to bear the loss.
Candle light
The candle light session went as planned as each person at the event put on his/her light to give the deceased their final respect.
Special hymns and final prayer
The whole congregation took the special hymn from the SSS special hymn book titled “What Can wash Away My Sin”. The whole session was put to an end with a special prayer as the whole congregation prayed for the repose of the soul of the deceased.
Waje’s performance
One of the Nigerian female artistes, Waje performed at the event.

TRIBUTE AND COMMENTS
Mrs. Ego Boyo
We met sometime in 1989 through one of my friends, she was the one that introduced me into the make-believe world. From there, I took part in one of the successful soap operas “Checkmate”. She really encouraged me on my career, she was a legend to all in the entertainment industry.
Richard Mofe Damijo
In fact, our relationship started many years ago, she hooked up with me while we were shooting the popular soap opera “Checkmate”. They met me after they have shot like 11 episodes of the drama. She said: “RMD I have a role for you at the ongoing soap opera”. I saw the script and told her that I will play a certain role and since then, we have been together. Amaka Igwe had virtually touched the lives of so many of us.
Ireti Bala
I will really miss Amaka Igwe because she was a person with many caps, she was always there to give her professional advice. She gave hope to lots of people through her writing, she supported lots of people who she believed in, she was my mentor.
Kunle Bamtefa
She was a long time family friend, we started “Checkmate” together. We also metamorphosed to produce Fuji House of Commotion. So, many of our colleagues maintained our family through what Amaka put on the table for us, she believed in the power of her work although she met us in the industry. She treated me with a lot of respect, she was a loving person, dependable, she saved so many lives while she was alive through her various projects.
Gabriel Okoye (Gabosky)
Amaka remained the first lady of Nollywood, we had been together since the 90s and among our group then, she was the only female we met then at the next office. She had passion for the industry; despite the opposition she had then, she was able to excel. At the first time; what was paramount about her was how the industry will be improved, she was the only one that would say the truth. I will miss Amaka Igwe a lot.
Mrs. Nwang Nwa Uzoukwu (African Magic Representative)
We have indeed lost a genuine, comic and a mother, her good work and idea have paved way for lots of Nollywood practitioners. African Magic has since identified with lots of her jobs which our viewers remain committed to. We love her but God loves her more.
Adewumi Ogunsanya
When I was told Amaka Igwe passed on; it was hard to believe, I was disturbed though I lost my wife too just two weeks before her death, I said to myself: “what is happening”. Amaka is somebody you can work with without fear, though she was strict when it comes to business. Amaka legacy will never die!
Mrs. Bernard Oti
Amaka Igwe was my school mate at Idia College in Benin while we did our A-level in 1979. We lost contact for sometime before I later discovered she took a prominent role in the popular drama “Checkmate”. We met again because her daughter was a student in my school then, she always called me principal while I called her chairperson, I was not surprised when I saw her work. I have always known what she was capable of doing, I was opportune to speak to her on phone on April 1. I will really miss her gist on phone. I know God has a place for her.
Mrs. Tana Ekulu
Amaka made me a disciple in the filmmaking industry, she likes to preach success in the presence of her enemies. I was able to take part in some of the drama series through Amaka, I don’t know how to describe Amaka’s magnanimity.
Dr. Bola Oyeleke
I met Amaka through her elder sister, we went to an event and she forgot her eye glass but because I was coming to Lagos, her sister gave me the glass to give to her, that was how we met. More so, we went to the same university while I was in 400L, she was in 100L, there was this day she asked me to put her through and since then we have been together. She was respectful, she had passion for the Nollywood. She had a wonderful vision, she always said if anything happened to her; she was ready for it. Adieu Amaka Igwe.
Ruby Igwe (Daughter)
Our mother had a unique spirit, she left this world as one of the most successful persons, lots of people have said what the immediate family never knew about her but I know she might have got a better abode in the right hand of God. Mummy, I love you, I know you will not sleep as your children will miss you dearly. We know God loves you more. I pray you will be able to guide me through to attain what you could not attain (burst into tears). May the Lord Almighty grant you eternal rest.
Ali Baba
Amaka Igwe was a force to reckon with in the Nollywood industry, she played a vital role for the name Nollywood to be actualized. She was the mother of Nollywood!
Nobert Young
Nollywood will not be complete without mentioning the name of Amaka Igwe, she was the pillar behind “Checkmate” and other soap operas which gave birth to most home videos. Lots of artistes have been raised through Amaka Igwe’s work.
Glory Nobert Young
I love everything about Amaka Igwe, when it comes to a good script, she told a good story in all her drama, I mean a true life story. I had worked with her a couple of times, she was blessed. May God give her eternal rest!
Bukky Ajayi
What Amaka Igwe had done to Nollywood can never be quantified, she was one of those I will say make things happen in Nollywood. She always had a wonder script; she knew the best thing at the best time, we will all miss her dearly. May God grant her eternal rest!
Yemi Sodimu
Amaka Igwe was the catalyst that made Nollywood, as a local and internationally recognized body. Today, people around the world talk about Nollywood as number three after Hollywood and Bollywood, her name will never be forgotten in the industry.
Onyeka Owenu
She was a role model in the make believe business, she never refused to let people gain from her wealth of experience. Today, people are talking about Amaka Igwe not for bad but all the good things she had done. The industry has missed an icon, I pray for God’s protection over her children and family members, may her soul rest in perfect peace!
Patrick Doyle
Amaka Igwe was our engine room in Nollywood; without mincing word; the whole of our set will miss her dearly even the upcoming ones. Her legacy will ever remain, she was a good mother to her children and her husband, Charles. She loved Nollywood with passion, my prayer for her is that her children will find strength to continue where she stopped.
Kessy Ekpeyong Bassey
When I heard that she passed on; I said to myself: “is this the end of the world”, because I cannot believe someone very useful to a body like Nollywood will just go like that but it later dawned on me that the almighty God knows the best. She was someone we can refer to as the visioner of Nollywood because she had the interest of the body at heart. We miss you Amaka Igwe; may your soul rest in perfect peace.
Herietta Kosoko
Nollywood has missed a real active member, Amaka Igwe can produce 10 films within a year, the talent is there. Though we are not in the English play, she had affected lots of lives through her various write-ups and dramas. I pray that God should protect her family and all that she had laid her hand on.
Tunde Kelani
Amaka Igwe was one in a million when it comes to film making, I had the privilege of working directly with her, she had that ability to transform anything into a very formidable drama, her work will continue to speak for her. May her soul rest in perfect peace.
Wunmi Obe
She was a good friend who carried lots of people around today; we are here to celebrate a life well-spent. She had affected lots of lives; I believe she is not dead, because her legacy lives forever.