ACTOR OF THE YEAR:
(We could argue forever about what ‘talented acting’ is, so we won’t! But we are interested in that actor (or actress) who is popular and has acted in a good number of movies/stage plays, enough to achieve fame/acclaim. It will help if he/she has also gotten other credible awards for their craft.)

Full name: Dakore Egbuson
Date of birth: 14th October 1978

How many movies done in the past one year: 25
Biggest project in the past one year: "The Successor" premiere and screenings at 4 of the Odeon cinemas in London UK from september17th 2006.
Awards:
People's choice for Best Actress award at the 1st Nigeria Entertainment Awards in Maryland USA on June 17th 2006
Actress of the year at the Most Beautiful Girl Abuja pageant in August 2006
Other info: One of the A-list actresses invited to anchor Nigeria International (showing on NTA Network, AIT Network and BEN TV)
Why we chose her: Dakore has been consistent as an actress who has managed to win both popular and critical acclaim, and even as other actresses have risen and fallen in ratings, Dakore shines constant.

Full name: Imobhio Omonor Akhere
Date of birth: 23rd April 1980.

Stage plays done in the past one year: The Lion & the Jewel by Wole Soyinka, Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler, Dr Gravedigger by Ita Hozaife.
Apart from stage plays: T.V Credits include; WETIN DEY, a BBC world service trust production.(all in the past year); Radio(voice over): HIV Spots, a BBC worldservice trust production.
Biggest project in the past one-year: The Lion & the Jewel 2005 tour of the United Kingdom.
What else has your acting fame brought from you in the past one year apart from more roles: “More money, more recognition, more appreciation by people who are not in the arts coming to understand that what I do is WORK. My first trip to the UK, working in proper theatres with proper dressing rooms, patience in the field, made me even better at what I do and an immeasurable amount of satisfaction”
Awards: None
International highlights: Tour of the UK (cities include Manchester, Oxford, Birmingham, Brighton, London, Salisbury, Leeds) with Collective Artiste in MAY, with a lead role as SIDI in a stage production of The Lion and the Jewel by Wole Soyinka.
Other info: Started acting professionally in 2001; didn't study theatre or film but joined a theatre group called Theatre 15 in the University of Lagos where she learnt a lot of what she knows of Theatre ethics.
Why we chose her: Simple. Omono is the brightest young star on stage, making a success out of a career that has consumed many and still managing to be committed and to shine in an industry (stage) without glamour

Full name: Stella Damasus-Aboderin
Date of birth: April 24 1978

How many movies: 1
Biggest project: The Widow
What else has your acting fame brought from you in the past one year apart from more roles: “Fame has brought a lot of recognition in the business and financial world that has made life easier for my children and I: I have also been involved in events in the international scene so much so that the blacks in diaspora believe that my face and sell their products abroad. It has also made me a role model for a lot of young girls who want to succeed in the showbiz world and to women who are going through challenges.”

Awards: Not in the past one year
International highlights: Her movie, Widow, was premiered in America and The UK, where as it’s lead character she was treated like a Hollywood Star especially by Blacks in those counties.

Why we chose her: Even though she was ‘banned’, Stella was able to prove SOLELY on the strength of ONE movie what a stellar actress she is

Full Name: Iniobong Edo Ekim
Date of Birth – April 1982
How many movies in past one year – over 50
Awards: City People Award 2006 for Best Actress
Other info: She started acting in 2000. She’s also into part-time modeling.
Why we chose her: Ever since actresses like Omotola and Genevieve Nnaji left the scene courtesy of the ban, Ini has become easily the most popular and sought after actress in the industry

Full Name: Carol Ekanem
Date of Birth – 1983

How many movies in past one year – about 10

Awards: Nomination, People’s Choice for Best Actress, NEA Awards

Other info: Has modeled for Essencee

Why we chose her: Since the ban on major actresses, Carol’s career has blossomed – this young woman knows how to exploit life’s opportunities.