By Ifeoluwa Awosoji

Nigerian filmmaker and founder of the African Movie Academy Awards, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, is dead.

According to reports, she died in a hospital in Lagos State.

Ayiam-Osigwe who was also the President of the Association of Movie Producers was reportedly in a coma before she breathed her last.

Her colleague, Obi Emelonye, confirmed her death via his Instagram account on Tuesday.

He shared her picture and wrote, “Thank you and good night dada Peace.

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BIO

Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, previously Peace Anyiam-Fiberesima MFR (born 30 March) was a Nigerian filmmaker and entertainment executive who has been called “the queen of Nollywood films.” She is the founder of the globally acclaimed film ceremony, Africa Movie Academy Awards. The Guardian documents that she pioneered the screening of Nollywood films at international film festivals. 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. She is a TED fellow.

Early life

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

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.

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.

Anyiam Osigwe is the Initiator of the 100 films project aimed at improving the quality of films produced in Nigeria.

As the President, she has worked on building the capacity of film producers in the country through seminars and training.

Writing career

Anyiam-Osigwe is an author of written poetry. She has 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.

TV/film director

Anyiam-Osigwe career on television began with her discussion show, Piece off my mind, that focuses on people’s reactions 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.

Awards

In 2019, She was honoured with African Film Pioneer Award at the African Film Festival, TAFF.

Personal life

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 Nigerian society. He was also the director, Africa Institute for Leadership Research and Development, and the consul general of Malawi to Nigeria. 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. She is separated from her husband.

Death

Anyiam-Osigwe died on the 9th of January, 2023 at St. Nicholas Hospital in Lagos after falling into a coma on the 7th of that month.

Source: Wikipedia