By Benjamin Njoku

Guests who gathered at popular celebrity hangout, O’ jez, to honour the six Nollywood recipients of National awards were disappointed last Sunday when the celebrants did not show up for the event.

The event was part of the activities lined up by the organisers of the Ojey’s monthly entertainment forum, an event put together to honour successful practitioners in the entertainment industry.

The celebrants, veteran actor Olu Jacobs, Osita Iheme a.k.a Pawpaw, Genevieve Nnaji, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Amaka Igwe and Stephanie Okereke were conspicuously missing at the event that was meant to celebrate their respective achievements in the industry.

Nollywood awardees

By 8. 30 pm, when the event kicked off properly, the celebrants were nowhere to be found, a situation that left many of the guests wondering why the celebrants decided to shun an event that was orgainsed in their honour. But the event compere, comedian-actor, Charles Inojie had an excuse to offer for their absence;

“ You all know that a lot of events happened this weekend. Fred Amata and his brothers buried their late mother in Delta State and most of us were there with them.

“We also witness the marriage of one of our own and you can understand why Osita Iheme a.k.a Pawpaw is not here today because his screen twin, Chinaedu Ikedieze a.k.a Aki did his traditional marriage in Mbano, Imo State.

It is also a known fact that some of our colleagues were in Enugu as the remains of late actress Geraldine Ekeocha was laid to rest in Enugu. Most of our colleagues travelled to be part of these events.” he explained

Earlier, the CEO of O’ jez, Chief Joseph Odobeatu said the forum deemed it fit to celebrate the six Nollywood stars because they have brought more pride and honour to the Nollywood industry.

However, in their absence, the reconstituted O’jez band with support from the Ever Green Band thrilled the guests.

Comedians MC Shakara, Elenu, Emeka Smith and a handful of other artistes kept the evening lively. O’jez Entertainment Forum awards series, is a monthly event designed to recognise and honour Nigerians who have distinguished themselves in their chosen career.