The fourth edition of the Music and Entertainment Gospel
Awards, MEGA, took place last Sunday (November 20) at the Main Hall of NECA
House, Alausa, Ikeja-Lagos.
Pomp, panache and elegance were put on display at this
year’s ceremony, headlined by soar-away gospel artiste, Lara George.
The event was heralded by red carpet photo-ops,
interviews and freestyle skits by up-and-coming artistes in the "MixZone".
Performers included: Liyia (rapper), Bukie Xcel, Fido Cleft (highlife), Prof.
HolyRock & MC Watermelon (comedians); Misiano & Da'Son (hosts).
A performance by Wonderboy, introduced by the duo of Broda
Martyns and Jumoke Odetola, the main ceremony’s comperes, opened what would be
a night of fun, celebration and emotional outpourings.
Incidentally, the male co-host earlier announced, Cute Sagay,
sa gospel artiste, suddenly disappeared on the day of the event, to the chagrin
of the organisers. This slight setback prolonged the kickoff of the event slated
for 5pm.
That over, veteran actors and couple, Norbert and Gloria
Young, presented the first set of awards, led by the “Amaka Igwe Music Video”
category.
Video director, Sunny Peters snatched the award for his
work, Eledumare by Oluwashalom, alongside three other nominees - Olayinka
Davies, Pita's I'm Your Soldier; Obio – Obiwon's Floodgate and Lex-Ten with Prosper's
Ochimana, The Great I Am.
Following, Praise Machine, who defied his large frame
and danced dexterously, performed to a great audience applause.
The second set of award presentation was done by the
duo of talented actor and broadcaster, Yemi Sodimu and 2015 MEGA Artiste of the
year, Mobolaji Olayinka (aka Psalmos).
Sodimu lauded the event organisers and expended a mild
humour that threw the audience into a bout of laughter.
“This gathering is unique; it is the first where I see
a pastor and a masquerade mingling”, said Sodimu, referencing Pastor Tunde
Bakare and top Afro-high life singer, Lagbaja.
Soon, attention was riveted to the big, colourful LED
screen hung over the stage where nominees and their works were played back.
The “Cover Art Design of the Year” was won by Designplus
with Aity Dennis' God Of Wonders. Segun Obe’s “Holy Ghost Party” won him the Best
Praise & Worship Medley; Mike Abdul’s Korede clinched the award for Best
Singles Urban, while Praise and Worship Singles – went to Bright Edeh’s “Divine
Surprise”.
Alaafin’s singer, “Nightingale” nicked the Contemporary
Traditional Song of The Year in a tear-jerking emotional outpouring of gratitude
and celebration!
In addition, Aijay, with her song, titled “Igwe” took
home double awards: Worship Song of the
Year and Best Single Traditional.
Big winners that night were Diekololami (4), Port-Harcourt-based
D'Kachi (4) and ace producer. Nathan Flo Akiremi (3).
The Producer of The Year Award was won by Nathan Akinwunmi
Akiremi; and with “Mo Dupe - Ft. Judirocka” he bagged the Praise Song of The
Year;.The third for him was Dr. Larry Izamoje Award For Vocalist Of The Year.
The splendid night continued with presentations of Collaboration
of The Year award to Dkachi's Its Your Time; the Dr. Tunde Bakare Award For Praise
and Worship Album of The Year was won by Dkachi's “Living Streams”; and also, the
Adeyinka Bakare Award for Best New Artiste - he was nominated alongside Wordsmith,
Oluwashalom and Yinque Afrique.
Just about settling down, another nomination put Dkachi
on his toes, and it was nomination and win for his album, “Living Stream” in the
Alma Rhom Album of the Year category. Others in that category were Florocka's Impressions;
Segun Samuel's The Fruit Of My Lips and Dieko's “Can't Get Enough”.
Singer Dieko’s “I Look To You” won the Inspirational
Song of The Year; the MEGA Song of The Year Award with “E Se”; and the icing on
the cake was Dieko’s "Can’t Get Enough" carting away the Artiste of The
Year Award over great nominees like Florocka, Mr. Kee and Segun Obe,
For the first
time, MEGA picked a Life Achievement Award recipient, and in colourful yet inspirational
presentation by Steve Ayorinde (Lagos Commissioner for Information &
Strategy,) and Larry Izamoje (Chairman, Brila Group)...to the iconic musician. Instrumentalist.
producer and creative avatar, Laolu “Akins” Akintobi!
Highlights of the night was the presentation segment
anchored by former vice presidential candidate and servant overseer of Latter Rain
Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare and his adorable wife, Layide Bakare. The performances
of Telemi, Monique, Esther Igbekele and of course, Lara George were equally enthralling.
Other presenters included: Taiwo Oladoye, Aimee,
Lagbaja, Ladun Ogunbanwo representative of First Lady of Lagos State.
Some of the nominees who graced the occasion were: Praise
Machine, Prince Da Psalmist, Ola Onabajo, Segun Samuel, Oluwashalom. YinQue Afrique,
Ewoma E-wonda (Kaduna), Oluyinka Davids, Alex Lexten, Fechi (Kaduna) Faith
Ajiboye, Ebubedike, etc.
Media Team
MEGA 2016
Tags
Entertainment