We as a family and clan will continue do all that is necessary to ensure that her legacy lives on – the Africa Movie Academy Awards and the Africa Film Academy, along with their training programmes across Nigeria and the African continent will carry on seamlessly by institutions she set up and with the full support of the Osigwe Anyiam-Osigwe Foundation and other Institutions and Government Agencies whith whom she has worked over the years. Her numerous charities across different religious denominations and other communities will also be continued
The Anyiam-Osigwe Family
Top industry players continue to express shock at the passage of Nollywood icon, Ms Peace Anyiam-Osigwe who passed on yesterday.
Born on 30 March 1969, the lawyer, filmmaker and philanthropist died yesterday 9 January 2023 at 52.
Her death is robbery of a legend, says NFC
The Nigerian Film Corporation described the death of this “legendary Nigerian film stakeholder” as “a robbery of a legend whose impact within Nollywood shall continue to be referenced.”
Her death, NFC’s CEO, Dr Chidia Maduekwe said, is “heart wrenching, painful and saddening.”
“…indeed the film industry has lost one of its finest, most dedicated, consummate and hardworking stakeholder who contributed so much to the growth of Nigeria’s film industry.
“The Late Peace Anyiam-Osigwe caught the fancy and interest of Nigerians and indeed Africans especially youths and upcoming filmmakers, given the sustained and annual film training and mentorship opportunities she provided through the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA).
“Peace Anyiam-Osigwe’s role in uplifting the professional competencies of filmmakers, content development for the small and big screen; film distribution and marketing, film festivals and awards, film policy development are remarkable.
“Her contributions to the professionalization and growth of the various film industry guilds and associations knew no bounds due to her deep participation and leadership support for Federal Government Film Development initiatives.
“She shall be greatly missed,” Dr. Maduekwe said.
A humanist to the core, says NFVCB
Peace Anyiam-Osigwe was “a trailblazer who had set path for movie renaissance in Nigeria” says Nigerian Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB).
NFVCB Executive Director, Alhaji Adedayo Thomas, in a condolence message today said the late Anyiam-Osigwe was a visionary and dogged fighter who was passionate, dedicated and committed to her causes.
“I am yet to come to terms with the rude shock of the demise of my good friend and irreplaceable ally, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe.
“She was a trailblazer who set the path for the movie renaissance in Nigeria and across Africa.
“The fickleness and ephemeral nature of life will always cast a mist of mystery; her demise has left me completely hapless and grief-stricken.
“No one could have envisaged that such an affable soul will leave us so soon, even as preparations are in top gear for the prestigious Africa Movie Academy Awards 2023, which she worked so hard to grow to its 19th edition.
“Regardless, we submit to the will of the Almighty God as she is carried home on Angel’s wings. We are consoled that she left indelible footprints on the sands of time.”
Thomas touched on her philanthropy especially in discovering and nurturing talents which made her a first rate humanitarian. She became an unwavering activist for the film industry in Nigeria, always advocating for the best for her colleagues and the industry.
“There are not enough words to adequately capture this loving soul.
“History will be certainly kind to you and the successes we recorded at the National Film and Video Censors Board will not be reported without the fond memories of your legacy.
“A rose has withered, the world has lost an amazon, the nation has lost a rare gem, the industry has lost an ethereal personality, and the earth will continually be emblazoned with the beautiful memories of her invaluable impacts.
“Peace, as I fondly call you, may you find peace in the bosom of the LORD, and may GOD ALMIGHTY grant your family and loved ones the fortitude to bear this irreparable and heart-wrenching loss.”
She made people pay attention, says Obi Asika
“Peace was an incredible soul who promoted and pushed Nollywood for decades and made many like me pay attention.”
“This is still too raw for me to really speak.
“Good night Peace, finally at rest🙏🏿
Our history is incomplete without her – P-Square
We are devastated to learn about the passing of an Amazon and a woman we have known as family for decades now.
“Madam Peace, as we fondly call her, beyond being one of Nollywood’s biggest advocates and promoters globally, played an instrumental role in our career.
“For which we remain grateful. The history of P-SQUARE cannot be written without a mention of Peace Anyiam-Osigwe
“Our hearts and prayers go out to the entire Anyiam-Osigwe family, AMAA, the African Film industry, AMP and the various charities she was a part of.
“You do not bear this great loss alone, we are with you.
“God bless and keep you Madam Peace.
I choose to celebrate you – Charles Novia
Dear Peace,
I choose to celebrate you.
“You came into Nollywood in the early 2000s and from the get-go, you inspired the industry with your passion for its progress and development.
You wanted what was best for us all. You used your connections with government officials and diplomats to push and push for the industry. You opened vistas for many of us internationally with unselfish networking and positioning.
“Above all, you were a sister to many of us. I remember how we went to Berlin Film Festival in 2004 to speak on the growing potentials of Nollywood in a panel session. On that trip, you refused to allow me spend one penny. You would pay for everything I ate or bought till I had to rebel one day to show you the thousands of foreign currency I had with me and to warn you to stop spoiling me. I never forgot your reply with a laugh ‘I spoil my brothers’.
“That touched me.
“You became blood. All through the years, we would call and talk and talk about the industry and how to make it better. I am glad you grew your baby; the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) for 18 years and made such a huge impact.
“I’m glad you made this journey and touched lives. For what can we be remembered if not for the lives we might have touched and good deeds done in spite of all?
“I never stopped celebrating you when you were alive and you knew it. Oh, you had your faults too and we all have but you were a good soul.
“It is jarring to know that you are gone but there is Peace and perfect peace where you are now. That’s the consolation.
“Your legacies, in deeds and memories and institutions, will forever live on.
“Rest on, Worthy Matriarch.
You were the game changer – Teco Benson (MFR)
Peace will be forever remembered as a game changer in the Nigeria film space.
She left an indelible imprint in the Film makers Cooperative of Nigeria (FCON) during the struggle for independence and survival by Nollywood independent Producers. FCON was fought and muscled to death by Nollywood Principalities.
She manifested her leadership quality with various giant strides she made in the new organisation despite being new in the industry.
She single-handedly organized and led the first delegation of Nollywood to America in 2004. This singular trip redefined the international perception of the industry and put Nollywood on the global Map.
In her quest to raise the bar and ensure practitioners embrace the global best practice in order to compete internationally, she thought of a system to reward excellence as inspiration and motivation for practioners and eventually went on to form the AFRICAN MOVIE ACADEMY AWARDS with the maiden edition in 2006.
Not relenting in this quest, she contested and won the Presidency of Association of Movie Producers where she served till her divine call yesterday.
She has left a big vacuum but a great legacy that will be remembered forever. I pray posterity remembers these and several other giant strides she made in her quest to see an enviable African film industry.
PEACE, may your Soul rest in peace till we meet to part no more.
I also pray God to grant your family especially your aged mother the fortitude to bear the loss of their loving last born.
Adieu !
Thank you for a life of purpose
By Juliet ‘Kego
Ezigbo Ada, jee nke oma💔
Daalu rinne for your life of purpose, passion, courage and selfless service🕊
Twice, I got to sit with you, learn from you, first in Lagos, then in Enugu, and your bold dreams for young creatives and rural women were so powerful and inspiring.
And through SIP (Society of Igbo Professionals), we also got to see your sheer love for humanity, and burning desire/impatience to see and contribute to a transformed Alaigbo.
“Daalu rinne nwannem, for your wise counsel, for caring deeply, and your legacy.
Jee n’udo, dear sister Peace. 🕊 ♥ 💫
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