BN Exclusive: All the Buzz Stories, Arrival, Backstage & Inside Photos from the 2012 Nigeria Entertainment Awards in New York City | Full List of Winners
Posted on Wednesday, September 5th, 2012 at 7:40 PMBy Damilare Aiki
After months of preparations and pre-events, the 7th edition of the annual Nigeria Entertainment Awards finally took place on Sunday 2nd September 2012 at the Skirball Performing Arts Center, New York City, USA.
The anticipated award show hosted by “Jenifa” star Funke Akindele-Oloyede and top Nigerian comedian AY, saw in attendance many attendees who came to support their favorite entertainers, while at the same time looking forward to a fun filled night.
Buzz Stories from NEA 2012
Funke Akindele-Oloyede is not Pregnant - Although speculations went viral that Jenifa star is already expecting her first child with her husband, Kehinde Oloyede, when it looked like she was sporting a baby bump in her pink floor length gown with silver sequins, a source close to the Nollywood star revealed exclusively to BN that she isn’t pregnant at all.
Uche Jombo Makes 1st Public Appearance with her Hubby, Kenny Rodriguez- Nollywood superstar, Uche Jombo arrived at the Skirball Performing Arts Center, New York, USA for the 2012 NEA Awards in a gorgeous figure hugging Isi Atagemen dress, but her outfit wasn’t the only thing everyone was talking about, but it was her leading man. Ever since her glamorous wedding in April 2012 at the Mariot Courtyard, Marriot Isla Verde Beach Resort in Puerto Rico, the Damage star was still yet to be seen publicly with her Business Executive hubby, but Uche didn’t keep us all waiting too long as she arrived hand-in-hand with her better half, who looked dapper in a cream blazer paired with grey pants – We totally love their love!
Fashion – Some of the most gorgeous looks from the 2012 NEA include;
Who’s that Girl – Former Miss MBGN, Fiona Aforma Amuzie stunned in a one-shoulder brown dress with black sequins – the dress reminiscent of a Zuhair Murad Couture gown worn by former American Idol host Jennifer Lopez to the 2011 American Music awards. Fiona accessorized her outfit with chandelier earrings, a black clutch and black Christian Louboutin Bianca pumps.
Susan Peters shimmers in Gold – The Nollywood actress went big for the award show arriving in style in a gold dress accentuated with a robe. She accessorized her look with a gold wristwatch, black clutch and black flower ring.
AY and his wife, Mabel’s Matchy-Matchy Ensemble – Nigeria’s top comedian, AY and his wife, Mabel looked great as usual in a matchy-match grey outfit. AY looked casual in his outfit and black shoes while his wife glammed it up, by accessorizing with a gold clutch bag, gold bracelets and Cream Christian Louboutin pumps.
Uti in Blue – BBA 2010 Winner, Uti Nwachukwu showed the New Yorkers how to step things up when it comes to fashion. The 30 year old co-host of Jara TV, arrived at the NEA red carpet in a fitting blue check suit. Sporting his signature head-do and geek glasses, he opted for a white button-up shirt and a black bow tie.
Performances – The biggest names in music including Waje, Ice Prince, Vector, eLDee and the EME Crew as well as Rotimi, stepped on stage to thrill all attendees.
Winners - Taking home some of the top prizes at the award were Wizkid and Davido who both won two awards; Best Album of the Year and Best POP/R&B Artist of the Year and Hottest Single of the Year and Best New Act for Davido, respectively, Funke Akindele for Best Actress, Uti Nwachukwu for Best Entertainment Personality – Uti Nwachukwu, Vector for Best Rap Act of the Year and Don Jazzy for Music Producer of the Year.
Fun, fun and more fun, the NEA 2012 was surely a sight to behold, check out all the photos.
Arrival of the Hosts
Glam Cam
Uche Jombo & Husband, Kenny Rodriguez
Juliet Ibrahim & Freeze
Fiona Aforma Amuzie & Julius Agwu
Isi Atagemen
Waje
DJ Xclusive
Susan Peters
Wizkid
Di’ja & DJ Soupamodel
AY & Mabel Makun
Warebi Martha
Aminat Ayinde
Chet Anekwe
Tiwaworks & Stan Mukoro
Backstage
Inside the Skirball Performing Arts Center
On Stage
Guests
The Full 2012 Nigeria Entertainment Award Winners List
Best Album of the Year
Superstar – Wizkid
Hottest Single of the Year
Dami Duro – Davido
Best New Act of the Year
Davido
Gospel Artist/Group of the Year
Tim Godfrey
Best Pop/R&B Artist of the Year
Wizkid
Best Rap Act of the Year
Vector
Music Producer of the Year
Don Jazzy
Best International Artist
Tinie Tempah
Best Music Video of the Year
NAWTi – Olu Maintain
Most Promising Act to Watch
Eva
Pan African Artist or Group of the Year
Vivian Ndour
Best US Based Artist of the Year
Awon Boyz
Best Indigenous Artist/Group
Flavour
Best Actor
Wale Ojo – Phone Swap
Best Actress
Funke Akindele – The Return of Jenifa (TROJ)
Best Director
Kunle Afolayan -Phone Swap
Best Picture
Phone Swap
Best TV Show
Big Brother Africa
Pan African Actor
Majid Michel - Somewhere in Africa
Pan African Actress
Yvonne Okoro – Single Six
World DJ
DJ Jimmy Jatt
Best Comedian
Ali Baba
Best Entertainment Personality
Uti Nwachukwu
Entertainment Promoter
Flytime Promotions
Media Personality
Tolu “Toolz” Oniru
Entertainment Executive
elDee
Best Collabo of the Year
Sauce Kid Feat. Davido – Carolina
Tags: A'Won Boyz, Ali Baba, big brother africa, Davido, DJ Jimmy Jatt, Don Jazzy, eldee, Eva, Flavour, Flytime Promotions, funke akindele, Jennifer Lopez, Kunle Afolayan, majid michel, NAWti, NEA, Nigeria Entertainment Awards, olu maintain, Phone Swap, sauce kid, The Return of Jenifa, Tim Godfrey, Tinie Tempah, Toolz, uti nwachukwu, Vector, Vivian Ndour, Wale Ojo, Wizkid, Yvonne Okoro
WizKid what is it? I see no one wants to wrestle with DJ Jimmy Jatt. Poudly Nigeria.
http://www.brandigest.wordpress.com
pls when will AY and wife switch roles and dis time dress like her???
Hmm na waya.
For some reason Wizkid looks flammable (he’s bottom half I mean)
Lol. I’m surprised he and the other guys did not wear their spring/fall/winter jackets.
LMAAAAAOOOOOOOOO
The weather was aiight
and why does wizkid have that conductor bandana in his pocket??? #EPICFAIL!!!
ogaju!! the hall luks scanty doh, maybe if it was held in Naija it would have been othewise
People like you obviously never see the good in anything.
Actually, it was quite packed. The photographer caught this early in the day as people were arriving but the hall was filled to the brim.
Every year the NEA keeps stepping up. This year’s edition seems fab, I hope the next one would be dope.
I expected to see more glamour and chic styles since it was in New York. Oh well…RME!
lol…the last pic is kinda funny…don’t ask why…lol
Abeg where’s my Annie Macauly na!! Don J looks bored to death! Waje that ur stage outfit abeg make it stop! Love Uche J,
Everyone looks fine!!
I like Funke’s makeup on her.
Compared to the awards in Nigeria, I think these guest don’t look terrible. However, they don’t look fab.
I see that our Nigerian artists brought some of their rags to NYC.
Amina and her gele..lollll.. So old school. I see a lot of her type here. That outfit just shows that she is kind of getting in touch with her roots.
Davido must have visited his grandmother and her closet because his glasses reminds me of the 60s. I like them though but it’s kind of funny seeing him wear them. I cannot believe he is taller than Wizkid? Wiz must be very short then.
Girl please, I’ve seen more than enough ratchetness in Lagos/Abuja/PH. You Nigerians like to feel like you guys know fashion, when you wear prom dresses to concerts. Abeg Abeg.
You obviously cannot comprehend what you read. Read slowly, take a short break, and re-read because you are kind of repeating what I’m saying!
Need i remind you that you are on a Nigerian website?…. I dunno where you come from but i can bet your country doesn’t dress half as good as the Nigerians. Rubbish³ Hater oshi… NIGERIANS KNOW FASHION!
@ Mosun… I’ve seen similar comments to yours time and again on BN. Let me ask the obvious – what the blazes does being “on a Nigerian website” have to do with anything??? Imagine someone posting a comment on the New Times site and someone else piped up about it being an American website… are you starting to see how ludicrous that sounds? The aim of puting up any site on the internet is so that people around the world can visit it. How is this not obvious to you and everyone else who constantly spews that ridiculous remark?
@ Mosun, oh shut it. I am Nigerian and have every right to comment on the style that I see in the motherland.
JJ- Funke’s Makeup was done by the same lovely person who has been doing Tiwa Savage’s makeup for about a year now. http://facebook.com/JoyceJacobBeauty
She is very talented. She lives in the US.
This Millen Magese model babe just attaches herself to anything naija sa!
Both the men and women look fabulous! Congratulations to all the winners.
http://www.poetinprogress101.blogspot.com
A lot of dudes looked dapper and really represented. Most of the females were generally hot international messes. Uche Jumbo’s dress did not flatter her.
NEA has been on for about 5 years now i think. You would think that there would have been some advancements made to the stage set up, graphics etc. Still looks like a high school event in a high school auditorium. ” Big Stage, Lonely Podium!”
No doubt, Funke is 4 to 5 months preg! Congrat!
lmao..even after they just said she is not preggers, you insist she is? i bet she has peed on a stick for you
When she got married, her belly was already protruding! Just wait and see for yourself! No big deal and none of our business, just happy for her bundle of joy in d making.
Smh at the winners … Sorry ooo … Btw Wizzy looks hot lol fire dey that place oo
Odikwa….winter Neva start nah..banky W,Biko remove dat leather jacket…I see some babes with their naturals..am inspired jare.and Amina…I see u,u are one tall kind
My crush DJ Xclusive looks yummyyyuu
Please what was wane wearing?it’s so horrible.get a stylist.
Didn’t like wat waje’was wearing on stage…apart from dat, they all look beautiful and i think dey had fun…
@ JJ loool, cant believe Davido is taller than wiz too lol
Ay and his wife will not kill us with jealousy shaa…..lovely &co
Uti as for you, continue ehn…..thats all I can say!
chineke, what was YAW thinking at least he has small paper,y cant he get a sylist for goodness sake never seen him dress like a proper human being b4 ‘covering my eyes’. uche’s hubby is fine, u go girl. wow uti looks great!
If you have …christian mother hand,cover it up.Why do lower tummy of most lady look kind of preggy??most lady nail it,more than the the known celeb.my fab is Isi Atagama,DI’ja,the first gal on the back stage,and d chick with the Knee length transparent black dress,and Waje first dress,they look refreshing.I guiet agree with “Olu matain as best Video of d year and “Sauce Kid ft Davido-Carolina.
no tiwa tiwa, no dbanj, no 2face, no genevive, no omotola, no MI, no flavor, no……………….. i could go on and on. is this not supposed be an entertainment awards? and yet the people who entertain us normally are not present! obviously the venue choice was a terrible mistake. this place is pack with more random guest than supposed celebrities. but na wa for us naija people. has it ever been heard that Americans do the entertainment awards outside their country? wetin carry our NIGERIAN entertainment award go OUTSIDE Nigeria?
well, btw, the only good thing i can see here is that people are not over dresses! i adore the simplicity. if it was in our wonderful lagos or abuja or ph or anywhere in Naija, it would have been a reign of human hair of varying lengths and designer outfits (both fake and real) all over the place
One of the person I know stood out apart from the other people is Gospel Artist ANU, I love what she’s wearing..now that is the way you dress to an Award..Hair on point and her outfit on point..Am really disappointed in what Waje use to perform on stage, Uche what kind of dress is that ma, honey u fall my hand big time..
*overdressed!
Is she the one wearing Long black skirt with flowering blouse..If that is the person you are talking about..I totally agree with big time…She stood out period..The others am not too sure atall…
Hw come no has said anything abt UTI’s outfit, can’t miss it, just ve to say it reminds me of my high school uniform termed PINAFORE, CHECK fabric .
For me the lady in the Red dress, and Gospel Artist Anu..The look Sophisticated..Am not too sure about Waje..who advice Waje to perform with that, they need to be flogged…
Nice pics I love Funke but for a minute there I thought that was the uche Jombo outfit we first saw her wedding ring with or maybe the dress look like it, this uche’s hubby is way too dreamy , what was uti wearing pls? In general step up from last year
how old is ice prince? i think he’s a fine young man but he might look better in more matured clothes *away wid the blings, sagging n all*
ermm did any one see how beautiful Funke looks. Dammn her face looks flawless with that make, she really looked the part bless her, also Uche and her hubby look great together
ugochi ezeala i see you and you bobo…both of you look fabulous
I see only ONE ‘gorgeous man’ ( the word handsome ain’t enuf to classify his type, lol)… his looks are like music to my eyes *drools*
http://cdn.bellanaija.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/MG_1448_new_new.jpg
For their information they are looking all kinds of silly.
They can like to take those shades off and hire a real stylist. Mscheww!!
AY, Mabel and Aso Ebi were all there to celebrate
I wonder where the next NEA will be held…Spain perhaps??? msccheew…ignorant pple.
and what the heck is Wizkid wearing, looks like a bus conductor. just be disgracing us in Amrika. The summer just ended, its not cold!
DJ Exclusive pleaseeeeee come and marry me!
Meanwhile I don’t gbadu wizkid’s and davido’s glasses, warrissit?!
Banky W’s coat looks very dapper I must say.
Nice!
rotimi!!
hahahahahahaha these days, girls are really taller than guys oh!!! Wizkid is really short choi !!! besides everyone is a celebrity in naija from DJ’s to event promoters to video vixens lol so funny. If u are a friend or relative to a so called celebrity, one time one time u too are a celebrity. Only in naija.
http://cdn.bellanaija.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/IMG_0197_2_new_new-399×600.jpg
how far with this ogboni style ensemble?
LMHO at all the comments
just love AY and his wife…they stood out for me. plus i can see hot Naija guys there
So I take it, it’s just me that finds it strange that a Nigerian Entertainment award was held in NEW YORK? I don’t get it? It’s not as if it’s a global event? How is the Nigerian economy suppose to grow if we continue to take business abroad?!
They didn’t “take it abroad”. It started in NY back in 2006. If you want it in Nigeria, you should start your own there. so jealous and ignorant.
I quite don’t understand the idea behind it!….its beyond absurd!
Can someone explain why the Nigeria Entertainment Awards (NEA) is being held outside Nigeria, in New York? Would be interesting to know the rationale before I determine whether or not to criticize the organizers for having a colonial mentality. I never heard of the grammys, oscars or the emmys being held anywhere else but in america. UK has got their baftas and they hold it in the UK, so what is the NEA doing in obodo oyinbo?
http://cdn.bellanaija.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/MG_1031_new_new.jpg – loved this. Striking.
Waje’s stage outfit was not good at all. The pants didn’t look right. If Funke Akindele isn’t preggers, there’s no justification for her not wearing spanx or something to flatten her tummy. Loved the dress but she didn’t do it justice by letting her tummy hang out like that.
Uche Jombo’s dress…hmmm… but a bigger hmmm for her hubby’s mismatched suit. Good looking man but poor dress sense IMO.
stupid! stupid! i’m so pissed, we Nigerians too like to act mumu-ish. Why call it Nigeria entertainment awards and hold it outside Nigeria??? Why not call it, Nigeeis in diaspora or something. Have you ever seen Grammy Awards held in London, China or Canada? I don’t just get it. The organizers need to start thinking straight. When you finish you will now send pictures to bellanaija- a Nigerian site. You for carry am go BET na…please let’s celebrate where we’re from. Its our responsibility to change our image.
What is uti wearing??? and waje looks tacky i beg what kind of pants are those? i love ay and his pretty wife but why a crest on the native outfit eh???overall it looked like a good show ..kudos..p.s. i luv luv how julius agwu puts his outfit together all the time
and yes….. why does don baba j always have this “I’m very rich ,bored ,and doing you a favour ” look…shuo..love him tho
Everybody looked fabulous. Most yankee pple know that they have bills to pay and not spend everthing they have just to please folks. When you have, there is no need to show off.
Have a productive day .
I love djsoupamodel’s outfit!!! Not over done. Very simple. Killer blazer and bag! Oh and the hair! Sigh
Chigurl was there, gosh she kills me all the time with her jokes. Off to listen to her on youtube again.
@fashionista ….. I agree…simple yet nice! So this is the world famous djsoupamodel!!!! Def owning the name. Dija looks fab too. Simple black dress. Not overdone.
pls did enybody notice Ay’s wife is alwayz wearing dat weave… jst saying.
I can’t understand why the Nigeria entertainment awards was held in NY…its rather ridiculous!
I remember DIJA!!!! aww…so happy she finally got signed and to Djsoupamodel????? is she signed to her? I PRAY SO! She’s definitely all you need to break into the industry! Check her resume!
I heard from a birdie Dija and wizkid are dating???????? So i heard o! They’ll look good together though. Where’s Dija from? TOO FINEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
who’s DIJA??
@ady…lol..i guess she has to promote her self now…
Wiz’s outfit was alright….not overdone though..i like..
I like anu’s outfit…pretty daper..
All I want is an explanation…. aka WHY?
http://cdn.bellanaija.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/MG_1345_new_new.jpg
Love Fiona’s …..
but did she powder her arms n leg?
di’ja di’ja Kai I’ve loved this artist since Rocksteady. She’s Hausa ohh for dat matter. Abeg Abeg she fine pass wizkid. Dating ke? We no free
I meant ” we no greee ‘ see vex sef make me gbagaun mtchewwww
One of the best red carpets I have seen. Or is it just a good photographer?
The photographers were amazing! especially the main photographer who was a female! I forgot her name. But the red carpet was equally fab. people just came out dressing well!
@toke..thats what’s been circulating o!..they would look good together!!! fine boy n fine girl!..omo mehn.!!
yea, she’s hausa and lebanese i heard? i no care..she’s just too fineeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee….(secret crush)
Please who is Di’Ja?
I must commend this AY Guy. He is always taking his wife everywhere. His wifey I guess my be worshiping him for all the love that we see from afar. i want to be loved like this someday
She’s apparently making big moves internationally and signed to djsoupamodel..her pic is somewhere up top somewhere. Wiz like good thing sha…lol
@maxine Di’Ja is a new artist, I actually met her @ the NEAs though she doesnt know me. She was one of the nicest artists there very down to earth. See how she fine, i for tink say she no go look me sef. Beautiful spirit. Wizkid and Di’ja go be like Chris Brown and Rihanna of Naija without di beating.
she’s not fine! wiz kid can do better!! (hater post!)
some fashion hits and misses
@badgirl stop hating jor. Even if you dont want her with wizkid admit di girl fine. make true be true
This Di’Ja chick is really cute. I like her dress the best. Simple and nice. no over doing. She has a warm smile. Hausa’s are not playing, they had ammunition for music industry.
OMO MEHN!! WHERE DIS DIJA COME FROM?? MY GODDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD!! CRUSH ALERT! ABEG WIZ NO LIKE HER O! ME I WAN MARRY AM NOOWWWWWW! HOW OLD IS SHE?
Wiz shd learn to pull his pants up;
i sha like waje’s long legs, one minute she’s fat, d next she’s smart;
Funke asokale anfani o, who made ur dress? i’ll like to buy one for a dinner, as am preggy i’ll rock it well 2;
Kai Nigerians and lies. Story story may na hello sef den say una don marry two of dem lol. They both look smart sha
So many kids commenting on this post! i laugh! This dija person is prolly new to commenting on naija websites…its is 100% obvious she is the one hyping herself and posting as diff people.. my dear! u are being very childish! nobody cares if u are dating wizkid or not and guess what? nobody knows Kehinde Ariyo (Supamodel) so pls get off this post! and stop being annoying!
Haven’t seen Warebi in a while, as usual she looks great. IMO Isi always looks stunning and Fiona’s dress is to die for!
http://www.bexluvs2dress.blogspot.com
wiz kid looks trashy and horrible abeg..not feeling his tshirt or whatever hes wearing ,the hair ,glasses ewww!!! freeze !!!!!! waje costume rubbish #awful.. uti looks like a clown ..kai ..looks boring gon self ,,..love funke’s dress…
rain down beautiful people.
Is it just me or did i see so many girls with natural hair. And this white man with all these beautiful women by his side,
whats the deal na. lol
Lolllll stop hating now….cus u no make the countdown no mean you should hv bad belle…free the babe
Am in love with dj xclusive! Hotness!
Yes o..I noticed too…white people like good thing too now. Lol
Lol…seems you know djsoupamodel personally as u just post her real name.lol…why u dey hate now…lol….it’s bad for your health…support women doing bg things. You saying you dnt know her yet you know her real name? Lol .. Hate ration drink alert lol..
Wish they can bring this nea to naija sha. At least once.
Who’s the rotimi guy??? Never heard of him
Fionaaaaa! Maddddd dress I must say
HOW COME NIGERIANS ARE CELEBRATING AWARDS IN AMERICA AND ONLY JULIUS AGU AND A FEW PATRIOTIC NIGERIANS ARE DRESSED IN OUR TRADITIONAL ATTIRE. COLO MENTALITY STILL DEY DO US. IN FACT WHY CELEBRATE NIGERIANS IN NEW YORK, WHATEVER HAPPENED TO OUR OWN BACKYARD.. THE ORGANIZERS NEEDED TO LAUNDER MONEY OUT OF THE KONTIRI. CHOP AND CLEAN MOUTH. THE THING DON END NOW, SO WETIN DEY NEXT TO CHOP.
The artist coming together to award themselves on a productions well done in the course of the year and this will make others have better productions
The new generation of actors and actress have improved on the production of their films so it’s necessary to be rewarded on a good work well done and the collaboration between the movie industry and the music industry is good because the similarity in their work is that lots of actions take place for the work to be done, the personnel are also similar.
Nigeria film industry is going places,that is the movies have really gone along way,by giving awards like best rated movie shows the extent they work and for them not relent in their and encourage more people that want to join the movie industry .
So many questions as to why its being celebrated in america and not not in Nigeria. One thing I know for sure is we can never satisfy nigerians. These celebrities are hardworking and need to be celebrated anywhere now let us not talk about those that are not priviledged to go to nigeria and see them so instead we bring Nigeria to us . And being that we’re in America its also another way of entertaining these american folks that nollywood and music industries know what they are made of as a wide spread for publicity . So please before you speak out of ignorance be sure to think of the hardwork these people are putting into making ends meet .. Same way you go to your 9-5′s or whatever job it is you have at the end of the day you want a salary or promotion to feel appreciated. Give credit where its due