TRIBUTE TO THE WOMAN THAT REDEFINED NOLLYWOOD- AMAKA IGWE

One of Nigeria’s
most distinguished producers and directors Amaka Igwe is dead at age 51.She
suffered an asthmatic attack, and was immediately rushed to the hospital after
initial interventions failed. She passed on before getting to the hospital. She  and her husband were in Enugu for
pre-production of an Igbo series when the unfortunate incident occurred. She is survived by
3 children, her husband of 21 years Charles Igwe, an aged mother, siblings and
a large extended family.

Amaka Igwe (nee
Isaac Ene) may be the singularly most important WOMAN in the creation &
evolution of Nollywood. Starting out as a young Lecturer Assistant at the then
Anambra State University, Amaka Igwe dedicated her young adult life to the
creation of CHECKMATE (a Soap-Opera that leveraged on the previous success of
Lola Fani-Kayode’s MIRROR in The SUN). Her star actors were the 1st Stars of
Nollywood. Her RATTLESNAKE movie trilogy, though came out a few weeks after
Living in Bondage, was the 1st artistic success of Nollywood’s videography.
With her FUJI House of Commotion, Amaka redefined the landscape of Comedy on
national TV. Married to ex-banker-turned-Film producer/marketer Charles Igwe in
April 1993, Amaka was Nollywood’s female colossus. And together, Amaka &
Charles Igwe strove to evolve a seismic paradigm shift in Entertainment Content
provision in Nigeria, the latest being TOP FM Radio, Lagos. Toe-to-Toe with men
she stood! In recognition, she was awarded national honours as Member of the
Order of the Federal Republic (MFR).

Goodnight, great
woman! Goodnight!! Rest in Peace, Great Amazon.