AMAA Founder Peace Anyiam Dies

The Founder of the African Movie Academy Awards, AMAA, Ms. Peace Anyiam Osigwe, is dead.

Reports have it that she died late Monday, 10th January 2023, in Lagos, Nigeria, after being in a coma since Saturday.

A movie producer, Obi Emelonye, confirmed Osigwe’s death.

“Thank you and good night, Dada Peace,” the producer of Last Flight to Abuja said.

Also, another Nollywood icon, Mike Nliam, said, “The founder AMAA and president of the Association of Movie Producers of Nigeria, Peace Anyiam Osigwe, is gone to be with d Lord!”

The late Peace Anyiam would be remembered as one of those who shaped the face of the new Nigerian Movie Industry.

Her Life

Revered as the ‘queen of Nollywood films’, the late filmmaker who was formerly known as Peace Anyiam-Fiberesima before her short-lived marriage, pioneered the screening of Nollywood films at international film festivals.

The first music video of the hip-hop sensation, P-square was directed by peace Anyaim in 2012.

She was born into the family of Anyiam-Osigwe family in Nkwerre, Imo State in Eastwrn Nigeria.

Until her death, the late Anyiam-Osigwe was the President of the Association of Movie Producers, AMP and one of the prominent figures in Nollywood.

She held a degree in Law and Politics from Oxford Brookes University. However, the allure of film making made her jettison the legal profession for the creative world of make belief.

The late Peace was conferred with the national honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic, MFR by the Nigerian government, for her immense contribution to the Nigerian entertainment industry, the movie sub-sector in particular.

AMAA

For over 18 years, AMAA has become the biggest and most consistent platform to celebrate and recognise filmmakers from Africa and Diaspora.

In 2022, the awards partnered with the Lagos State Government, to celebrate filmmakers who have excelled their craft in the last one year.

Before her demise,  she spoke about her journey into film and she said, “the journey has been an interesting one, a learning curve, a contribution to the growth of African film industry, and a fulfillment that the academy found a void in the African film space and has, in 18 years, filled the void with a globally accepted and renowned project that continues to contribute, reward and keep up with global standard practice.”

NP/Confidence Okwuchi