Peace Anyiam-Osigwe Explained

Peace Anyiam-Osigwe
Birth Date:30 March 1969
Birth Place:Nkwerre, Imo, Nigeria
Death Place:Lagos, Nigeria
Occupation:Filmmaker, lawyer, philanthropist
Years Active:1986–2023
Alma Mater:Oxford Brookes University

Peace Anyiam-Osigwe MFR (previously Peace Anyiam-Fiberesima; 30 March 1969 – 9 January 2023) was a Nigerian filmmaker and entertainment executive who was called "the queen of Nollywood films".[1] She was the founder of globally acclaimed film ceremony, Africa Movie Academy Awards. The Guardian documents that she pioneered the screening of Nollywood films at international film festivals.[2] She directed the first music video of hip-hop sensation, P-Square. In 2012, she was bestowed a Member of the Order of the Federal Republic by the Nigerian government for her contribution to the entertainment industry.[3] [4] She was also a TED fellow.[5]

Early life

Anyiam-Osigwe was born on 30 March.[6] She is from the notable Osigwe Anyiam-Osigwe family in Nkwerre, Imo State. She is the only girl in a family of eight children.[7] She has a degree in Law and political science from Oxford Brookes University.[8]

Career

Africa Movie Academy Awards

Anyiam-Osigwe founded the Africa Film Academy, a body that governs the film ceremony since 2005. The award ceremony is reputed to be one of the most recognized awards for Africans in film-making. At the 10th edition, she stepped down as CEO of the AMAAs. In 2015, she began the AfricaOne initiative to commemorate Africans in the entertainment industry.[9]

In 2020, she emerged as the National President of The Association of Movie Producers (AMP). This made her the seventh to hold that post succeeding Mr. Ralph Nwadike.[10] [11]

Anyiam Osigwe was the Initiator of 100 films project aimed at improving the quality of films produced in Nigeria.[12] [13]

As the President, she worked on building capacity of film producers in the country through seminars and trainings.[14]

Writing career

Anyiam-Osigwe was an author of written poetry. She had three books to her credit. In an interview with Alana Herro, she described poetry as one of the avenues for expressing her perception and understanding of things around her. Prior to entering the university, she published a magazine, Clicks, specifically written to accommodate the black population in England. Her works are centered on advocacy causes.

Television and film director

Anyiam-Osigwe career on television began with her discussion show, Piece off my mind, that focuses on people's reaction to societal issues that are not regularly seen in the mainstream media. Her talk show was centered on issues of advocacy for individuals that the society usually give little attention or neglected. She cited the African caste system, child trafficking and women equality as areas of interest to her in film and television. At the early stage of music duo, P-Square career, Anyiam-Osigwe was responsible for managing them. In 2016, she stated that she represents Somkele Iyamah.[15]

Personal life and death

Her brother, Michael, who was killed in 2014 was the coordinator general of the Osigwe Anyiam-Osigwe Foundation, a non-profit organization that gives back to the Nigerian society.[16] He was also director, Africa Institute for Leadership Research and Development and the consul general of Malawi to Nigeria.[17] Her mother, Dorothy Chinyere Anyiam-Osigwe is a recipient of the Officer of the Order of the Niger honour by the then president, Olusegun Obasanjo for her philanthropic activities in Nigeria.[18] She was separated from her husband.[19]

Anyiam-Osigwe was in a coma since 7 January 2023, and died at St. Nicholas Hospital in Lagos on 9 January, at the age of 53.[20]

Awards

In 2019, she was honoured with African Film Pioneer Award at the African Film Festival,TAFF.[21]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Elizabeth Johnson. Donald Culverson. Female Narratives in Nollywood Melodramas. 2016. Lexington Books. 978-1-4985-2475-9. 120–2.
  2. Web site: The Undiluted Creative: Peace Anyiam Osigwe . guardian.ng . 13 March 2016 . 22 September 2016 . Chidera Muoka.
  3. Web site: 149 Nigerians to Receive Federal Government Award – Mike Adenuga, Teco Benson, Tony Elumelu, Sarah Sosan among Recipients . bellanaija.com . 10 September 2012 . 22 September 2016 . Adeola Adeyemo.
  4. Web site: Full list of Nigerians shortlisted for National Honours . . 10 September 2012 . 22 September 2016.
  5. Web site: Fellows Friday with Peace Anyiam-Osigwe . ted.com . 22 October 2010 . 22 September 2016 . Alana Herro.
  6. Web site: Celebrity Birthday: Peace Anyiam-Osigwe . nollywoodmindspace.com . 30 March 2014 . 22 September 2016.
  7. Web site: Peace Anyiam-Osigwe: Growing up in the midst of boys made me strong . dailytrust.com.ng . 9 May 2015 . 22 September 2016 . Adie Vanessa Offiong . https://web.archive.org/web/20170206121119/http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/weekly/index.php/magazine-cover/20393-peace-anyiam-osigwe-growing-up-in-the-midst-of-boys-made-me-strong . 6 February 2017 . dead .
  8. Web site: Nigeria: Peace Anyiam Osigwe - I Left My Marriage With My Handbag and My Sanity . allAfrica.com . 29 March 2014 . 23 September 2016.
  9. Web site: AMAA Founder, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe launches AFRICAONE . . 15 September 2015 . 22 September 2016 . Funsho Arogundade.
  10. Web site: 30 August 2020. Anyiam-Osigwe emerges AMP president. 25 November 2021. The Sun Nigeria. en-US.
  11. Web site: 5 September 2020. How Peace Anyiam-Osigwe emerged 7th AMP national president. 25 November 2021. The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. en-US.
  12. Web site: 8 October 2021. AMAA's New Initiative to Empower Young Creatives. 25 November 2021. THISDAYLIVE. en-US.
  13. News: 2 October 2021. Peace Anyiam-Osigwe out with 100 film project ahead of AMAA 2021. 25 November 2021. The Nation Newspaper. en-US.
  14. News: 21 May 2021. AMP: Anyiam-Osigwe, Arinze, others train150 Associates On Film Production in Delta. 25 November 2021. Vanguard News. en-US. Bankole . Idowu .
  15. News: PEACE ANYIAM-OSIGWE RETURNS TO ARTISTE MANAGEMENT . The Nation Newspaper . thenationonlineng.net . 17 September 2016 . 24 September 2016.
  16. Web site: Michael Anyiam-Osigwe, brother of AMAA founder shot dead . December 2014 . premiumtimesng.com . 22 September 2016.
  17. Web site: Michael Anyiam-Osigwe Is Dead, Killed By Armed Robbers . saharareporters.com . 22 September 2016.
  18. Web site: CHIEF (MRS.) DOROTHY CHINYERE ANYIAM-OSIGWE (OON) . 22 September 2016.
  19. News: Why my marriage crashed – Peace Anyiam-Osigwe . . 29 October 2010 . 22 September 2016.
  20. News: olufemiajasa . 10 January 2023 . Breaking: AMAA founder, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe dead . 10 January 2023 . Vanguard News . en-GB.
  21. News: 23 June 2019. TAFF honours Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, Kenyan Hollywood actor. 25 November 2021. Vanguard News. en-US. Vanguard .