Fifty, executively produced by Mo Abudu, has gone into the annals of history as the biggest film premiere in the history of Nigerian cinema. The Oscar-deserving premiere was held at the Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos on Sunday, December 13, 2015, attended by the crème de la crème of Lagos society.
With a red carpet that stretched forever, the premiere was attended by faces from Nigerian film and music, senior public figures and dignitaries from business and politics. Both the local and international media was present aplenty, including representatives of Vogue, Ebony and Essence.
Musical performances by the King of Juju, King Sunny Ade, Waje and Tiwa Savage sent dinner down nicely.
Following the movie showing which had the audience in stitches all night, the after-party featured an exclusive Mystique Lounge, where special guests and official sponsors received especial pampering, attention and gifting.
The night settled into an ‘Old Skool’ after-party, anchored by DJ Jimmy Jatt, who sent the dance party wild with excitement through the night. With dignitaries from government including Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Minister for Information and Culture; Mr Rotimi Amaechi, Minister of Transportation; and Mrs Toyin Saraki, wife of the Senate President; and from the private sector, including Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest enterpreneur; Mr Tony Elumelu, Chairman, UBA Group & President Heirs Holdings; Mr Atedo Peterside, of Stanbic IBTC Bank; Mr Donald Duke, ex-Governor of Cross River State; Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, former Senator of the Federal Republic; the Fifty Premiere dripped with faces, personalities and celebrities.
Socialites Nkiru Anumudu and Ruth Osime; Mr. Folarin Coker, Commissioner for Tourism, Arts & Culture; Mr Steve Ayorinde, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Lagos State; Mr Tonye Cole, CEO, Sahara Group; Dr Doyin Abiola; Mrs Bola Adesola, MD/CEO, Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria; Mrs Ibukun Awosika, Chairperson, First Bank Plc; Mr Phillip Udozua, CEO, UBA; Mr Segun Ogunsanya CEO, Airtel; Pastor Paul Adefarasin, House on the Rock; Mr Jimi Agbaje, a renowned Pharmacist and former gubernatorial candidate in Lagos, are some of the endless list of dignitaries from corporate and social Nigeria.
Following a fabulous night out, the Honourable Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said of the night: “In the first instance, the premiere of the movie was unparalleled in Nigeria’s history. It attracted the creme de la creme of the society, all of whom were treated to a first-rate pre-show dinner that set the stage for the main act. The movie itself is a bold move that reflects life in its truest sense. The characters in the award winning movie were all flawed, but we love them all. We have no choice. We are all flawed. I recommend the film and I will myself be watching it over and over and over. It is sheer entertainment.”
In commending Fifty to movie lovers, Mo Abudu, Executive Producer, reminded movie lovers across Nigeria that the movie will be released nationwide on December 18, 2015. Mo reiterated that cinema goers will get the chance to win great prizes, including a brand new Mercedes Benz B series, courtesy of Skymit Motors; a variety of home appliances, courtesy Konga; N50,000 in shopping vouchers from SPAR Park ‘N” Shop; and trips to Dubai, London, Kenya, Seychelles and Mauritius, courtesy of Wakanow.
Fifty has enjoyed rave reviews and widespread international acclaim and celebrity since it was first screened internationally, including from the BBC, CNN and leading local online and print publications.
The movie, from the stables of EbonyLife Films, Nigeria, will be in cinemas nationwide from this Friday, December 18, 2015.
