Eulogies to The Peace of African film

Activities leading to the burial of the creative amazon and founder of the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), Peace Marie Ogechi Anyiam-Osigwe, MFR will formally begin on Saturday, February 11, 2023, with a night of tribute organised by her immediate family.

The filmmaker, creative writer, and until her demise, President of the Association of Movie Producers (AMAA) and President of the Federation of Nollywood Guilds and Association, will be interred on February 15, after a service of songs and funeral mass that will be held between February 13 and 15 in Lagos.

But to honour the founder of the Africa Film Academy (AFA) and a strong advocate and promoter for a virile Nigerian motion picture space, her colleagues in the creative industry held a night of tribute in Lagos and in Enugu where some of her notable colleagues and well-wisher took turns to celebrate the life and time of the creative amazon whose life was dedicated to moviedom.

While the creative industry converged at the National Theatre in Lagos for the night that was pivoted by both the AMP and the Federation of Nollywood Guilds and Association, popular Nollywood actress, Patience Ozokwor, a.k.a Mama G, led creatives in South East to honour Peace Anyiam-Osigwe who was popular as PMO. Moviedom presents pictures and a few tributes shared at both events…

Peace passed through with a lot of legacies – General Manager of National Theatre Prof Sunnie Ododo
I first met Peace Osigwe through a phone call in 2015. The Honourable Minister of Culture had asked me to have a discussion with her on the proposed MOPPICON Bill then. I was President of the Society of Nigeria Theatre Artist (SONTA) then and we were also proposing to have a regulatory council. And the Minister felt that we could work together and harmonise our positions.
But I finally met her in person during the 2022 AMAA awards in Lagos. Very little did I know that would be the last time I would see her in flesh and blood. I couldn’t believe when I heard the news about the journey back to her creator. But it is a reality that one has to deal with. What is important is that she didn’t just pass through this space.
Peace passed through with a lot of legacy. She was very committed to the growth and development of younger creative. Many young talents have passed through the Academy and many more young people are going to be the future of film industry in Africa and indeed the world. She was very passionate about her calling and also very humble.
As creative, we are excited, because we do not die; our work continues to live. To that extent, for a long time to come, we will continue to relate to the great works that Peace Osigwe did and left behind for us. So much lessons we will continue to draw from this.”

Her life was about establishing pillars, structures – Joke Silva
The Lord said that in everything, give thanks and so we give thanks. We give thanks for a life that was just so amazing; a life that was so giving. Giving not only about herself, but establishing pillars, establishing structures, establishing things that will outlast her own life.
In my family, Peace is known as my husband’s industry daughter. When Peace sees me, she will greet and say she doesn’t have my time, but it is my uncle (Olu) that I want to see; they were very close. They worked together at the Surulere Film Market where we were hoping we could start another platform for distribution of our films.
One thing I like to mention and it is important for us to remember is that whatever we can do to make sure that AMAA doesn’t die, we will do. I say this because, AMAA is the Oscars of the African film industry. Peace set it up in such a way that once her body of judges gives you an award, you could be sure that the film deserves the award. It was such a credible award. So, AMAA is our Oscars, we cannot let it die. We will support it anyway possible to make sure it is a legacy.”

Peace lived her life for the industry —President of Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN) Dr. Victor Okhai
It is a very difficult tribute to pay or speak about Peace Anyiam-Osigwe in the past. None of us saw this coming. But as you know, no matter what we do, we will answer the call someday. In the little time she spent, she did so many things for the industry. She is one person, who has sponsored a lot of people for one course or the other. She lived a selfless life.
Her entire life was this industry. If that is not impact, I don’t know what that is. She lived her life for this industry. She has left a legacy and a shoe whose size is too big for anyone to wear. And I hope those of us left behind will continue with the legacies she has left behind.
We lost in her a visionary leader. She was very connected and she used her connection for the betterment of the industry, not just in Nigeria but also in Africa. I stand here on behalf of all the guilds and association to say that we will not mourn, but celebrate Peace Anyiam-Osigwe.”

She was an outstanding personality and trailblazer – Lagos Commissioner for Arts And Culture, Uzamat Akinbile Yussuf
PEACE Anyiam-Osigwe, for the short time that I came to know and encounter her, was an outstanding personality, trailblaser, pathfinder, go-getter, humanitarian and one of a kind creative and visionary leader in the film and television industry. The news of her death was shocking and I consider it a huge loss to the Nigerian industry.
She left indelible imprints on the sands of time and her legacy must not be abandoned by the entertainment industry. I give my heartfelt condolences to her family and the entire movie industry.”