The much promoted Artiste Managers Association in Nigeria (AMAN) @ 30 Awards held at Eko Hotel with the best in Nigeria Creative industry both young and veterans present.

FRED IWENJORA who also was a recipient of the AMAN Media Recognition Award category reports that it was a night of high emotions and razzmatazz fully captured here blow by blow.

Now follow me through my major highlights of the occasion.

AMAN 2025 EVENT DECOR

The Grand Ball Room of Eko Hotel and suites was entirely transformed as light zigzagged in crisscross.

The hall was also jammed with guests from within and from the diaspora.

The entire venue was well lit and decorated in animated eye popping photos and videos.

ALI BABA

Event started when one of Nigeria’s most respected stand up comedians, Ali Baba mounted the stage, played the national anthem and called upon Patrick Doyle to lead the audience in a prayer.

Many agree that the moderator Ali Baba did a good job of mastering the occasion.

He went down memory lane to trace his life as a comedian and serving as an artiste manager. He talked about his escapades as an artiste manager, commending AMAN for efforts at giving a pride of place to its members in 30 years of existence.

ENTERTAINMENT JOURNALISTS GET HONORS

The theory that reward for entertainment journalists comes only in heaven where notable musicians and artistes may be resting in the after life playing good music was disproved at the Grand Ballroom of the Eko Hotel and suites Lagos where and when four Nigerian entertainment journalists were honored for there contributions to the growth and development of the Nigerian creative sector.

In Nigeria’s entertainment history, journalists who propel the beat are rarely recognised underscoring what the AMAN awards for entertainment journalists means to the recipients.

On the list are; Ojy Okpe, Fred Iwenjora, Jahman Anikulapo Chuks Nwanne.

The Media personality special recognition award was presented by ace drummer, international music producer Laolu Akins.

On the award for journalists, Enebeli said journalists ‘are partners in progress with Artiste Managers Association in Nigeria, AMAN.

‘We can’t wait to recognise those whose contributions to the progress of Nigeria’s entertainment culture sector are well noted. ‘

He emphasised that ‘AMAN Awards was founded to publicly recognise talents, reward hard work and celebrate excellence within the creative industries in Nigeria, Africa and beyond. Journalists are integral to this mission and vision’.

NIGHT NOLLYWOOD STOOD SO TALL

Nollywood is one industry of the creative space that stood so tall with high commendations at AMAN @ 30 award event.

Some legends of Nigerian film industry including directors and actors namely; Zeb Ejiro, Teco Benson, Fidelis Duker, Emeka

Ossai and Patrick Doyle filed out for honors in the Outstanding Nollywood Veterans Recognition Award category.

Also star actors Tana Adelana and Nosa Rex got best actor female and male category respectively.

The list also included Nollywood epic movie star Ani Amatosero and celebrated epic films director and actor Ugezu J. Ugezu who took away the Nollywood icons (Epic movie) recognition award for female and male respectively.

Others were Alex Cross and Uche Montana for Best Role Interpretation recognition male and female category respectively.

AREAFADA CHARLY BOY TOOK MORE PHOTOS

The sight of AreaFada Charly Boy at the AMAN event 2025 also contributed in lighting up the arena.

Dressed in a flowery silky long sleeve shirt which revealed his ringed knuckles, bongo pants barely revealing a well crafted designer shoe with a red towel dangling from the seat pocket, Charly Boy could not stop taking photos as almost every one wanted a photo or video with him.

PAUL TAO, DUSTY EDET AND MAVIN GRANDPA WORLDWIDE

Many years during the early foundations of his music production company Sagitarus production, MGW, engaged Paul TAO to work on DUSTY Edet album at the time. It was so good to see the three old grand pa seated on same table as it was in the beginning when they frequented Decca studios for sessions one of which had Jazzy singing choruses as a six year old.

Watching the trio relieve old times was like watching youngsters playing in their safe neighbourhood.

Convergence OF YOUTHS AND VETERANS

One of the notable things that happened on the night was seeing veterans of the creative industry including Lemmy Jackson, Laolu Akins, Tony Okoroji, Steve Black and a host of others hobnobbing with the young artistes and producers like Don Jazzy and his Mavin crew, young music executives like Mike Odiong of Premier Music or wave making Dr Wisdom Okoye of Eminent Music who popularised Nasboi amongst others. It was indeed a well celebrated night with members of Nigeria’s diverse creative sector including music and film stars present, both young and old under one roof .

58 AWARDS IN ONE NIGHT

About 58 specially crafted plaque bearing the A of AMAN were given away at AMAN @ 30 Awards. Many wonder how the association was able to pull this through in just one night. It is pointer to coordination.

AMAM Global spokesperson Karifest Duchess Onyekaah Esq. notes that ‘events of the AMAN @ 30 Awards 2025 was programmed to be the best and by the grace of God we did our best. To deliver 58 Awards in one night is indeed magical’.

DR ROTIMI JAIYESIMI’S LECTURE

To set the tone for an interesting evening, the keynote speech of Dr Rotimi Jaiyesimi, the arts and entertainment loving gynaecologist and chairman BOT of Thespian theatre initiative was just enough.

YOU’VE DONE WELL SON

Perhaps what many consider the most emotionally charged moment of the night was during the presentation of the Hall of fame award category.

Mr. Collins Ifeanyi Onwuneme Ajereh Enebeli, Mavin Grandpa Worldwide, President and BOT chairman of Artiste Managers Association in Nigeria, AMAN, organisers of the event had stepped out and presented an award to Africas celebrated music producer Don Jazzy, his son.

It was indeed a wonderful spectacle watching father and son on a well lit stage.

He whispered…’you’ve done well son, you deserve your flowers’.

Others who won in the Hall of fame categoryv were Festus Keyamo, Lemmy Jackson Otu, Laolu Akins and Chief Nike Davies- Okundaye.

AFS IN FIRST PERFORMANCE

The noticeably biggest highlights of the night was the AMAN five stars presentation.

AMAN FIVE STARS, (AFS) are namely Ashams, Azeena, Mkudi, Naffy and Tieniel put together by AMAN from a pool of Nigeria’s overflowing talents.

They were on hand to perform their collaboration song ‘Win’ from their debut album Genesis and enjoyed applause.

DAVIDO, OMAH LEY, TEMS WIN BIG

World class musicians Davido and Tems were named best artistes of the year male and female respectively.

Again Davido and Omah Ley song ‘With You’ is best music in Africa for the year, AMAN has noted.

Bizzle Osikoya received the award for Davido on behalf of his manager, Asa Asika while Tems mother picked up her daughter’s award.

MAVIN GRANDPA WORLDWIDE UNVEILED IN EPIC MOVIE

The acting and film production skills of Collins Enebeli , Mavin Grandpa Worldwide came to light in a new epic movie titled Hidden Grudge of which a sneak trailer was shown at the event.

The teaser reveals that MGW is a well trained artiste and film maker during a direct acting confrontation with Ugezu Ugezu. Interesting.

KARIFEST MAGAZINE

AMAN @ 30 Awards came with a well loaded magazine; Karifest International magazine.

The very colorful magazine carried more detail about the AMAN event.

The 180 paged magazine had a one on one with AMAN president as well as other interesting content.

TEE MAC, HIS DRESS SENSE

There’s indeed some thing special about internationally renowned flutist and business man, Tee Mac.

Always well clad, Tee Mac entered the AMAN @)30 arena dressed in his trade mark white flowing silk with tinge of black lines and a visibly well polished black shinny shoe.

He was going round throwing banters in his trade mark European accent.

PREMIER MUSIC, COSON, MCSN WIN

Another interesting highlight at AMAN @ 30 Awards 2025 was that two of Nigeria’s major mechanical and collecting rights societies; Copyright Society of Nigeria COSON and Music Copyright Society of Nigeria, MCSN seemingly sheathe their swords of rivalry to be found in the same hall to pick up award at same time under same category of Creative industry builders positive impact recognition award.

Ordinarily, the founders of the two organisations Tony Okoroji and Mayo Ayilaran couldn’t be found in same room.

Also on this same list and category is Premier Music.