Liz Benson, Nobert Young, Kasimu Yaro For BON Recognition Awards

Lagos, Nigeria - Ageless Nollywood actress, Liz Benson (now Ameye); Nobert Young, Adebayo Salami otherwise known as Oga Bello and legendary Kannywood actor, Kasimu Yaro, have been unveiled as the recipients of this year’s Special Recognition Award at the Best of Nollywood Awards holding Saturday, October 11th in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The quartet would be garlanded by the Chief Host, Governor Rotimi Amaechi.

Starting out as an actress when she was barely in her teens, Liz Benson’s first break out role was in the soar away 1994 movie, Glamour Girls. Between then and the next decade, she evolved into a major box office star with an incredible and impressive following. She would however exit the movie industry to concentrate on her evangelical call and new marriage to Great Ameye, Pastor and Founder of the Rainbow Christian Assembly in Warri, Delta State.

A University of Benin trained theater artiste, Nobert Young, has traversed the entire gamut of the industry – with repertoire spanning stage, television, video and cinema. Though critical of the mediocrity in Nollywood, Nobert has strived to make his works stand out from the crowd. Little wonder he is regarded as one of the most methodical actors to have come out of Africa. He is married to crossover actress, Gloria Young (nee Anozie).

For the past four decades, Oga Bello has been a permanent fixture in the Nigerian movie industry. The Ilorin-Kwara State born thespian has hundreds of English and Yoruba movies under his belt, and numerous local and international honours and recognition. Like Oga Bello, Kasim Yaro is a legend in the Hausa entertainment industry. He is best known for his 2007 movie, Who Will Tell The President and the Amstel Malta Box Office-produced Cindy’s Notes.

According to a statement from the organisers, “Apart from honouring the stars and stakeholders of Nollywood every other year, we have also taken it upon ourselves to recall the sacrifices and strides of those elders whose arts and artistry have catalysed the growth and global acceptance that Nollywood enjoys today. We don’t want to wait until these veterans are dead to give them posthumous awards, which is why we have decided to celebrate them while they are still alive and active. Besides, this year’s honorees are a source of inspiration to young actors because of their longevity and continued relevance in the industry.”