The much publicised Islamic Music and Associated Nominees (IMAN Awards) 2016 was finally held in Lagos on Sunday, 22nd May, 2016. The event which has since become a major talking point within the Islamic music industry held at Quadosh Place, Beside Balmora, Kudirat Abiola Way, Oregun-Ikeja, Lagos, with most of the attendees ensuring that their outfits had a touch of white as the colour code for the awards demanded. Some even donned all-white attires to make their appearance 100% compliant.
Hosted by a consummate broadcaster cum comedian, Musiliu Sanni, Mr. Bebe, Senior Amuludun of Nigeria (SAN), Fluent and Competent Apanilerin (FCA), who came from Abeokuta, Ogun State, and made sure he cracked every rib in Lagos that came to the event with his inimitable sense of humour and enviable stage presence, the IMAN Awards 2016 has been adjudged by all those who attended as the best thing that has ever happened to Islamic music in Nigeria in recent time.
The opening prayer was taken by popular Islamic broadcaster from Faaji 106.5 F.M., Alhaji Sulaymon Olawoyin aka Kokoro Alujanna, for the event to take off effectively and immediately after, there were performances back to back from many of the fast-rising hip hop artistes in the Islamic music industry who gave a very good account of themselves including Lawizzy, Addis Nigger, Ade Omo Ade, Omo Ola and Tip Sound. There was also a very good performance by Ustaz Aderemi T.K. who sang the popular Islamic album titled: “Khedimo”.
Meanwhile, for presentation of awards to begin proper at the event, the brains behind Synergy Media, organizers of the event, the duo of Ola Muhammed and Saheed Ojubanire, who had been busy going up and down to ensure that everything was put in place, were invited up stage to give their welcome address. And Ola Muhammed stood firmly beside his partner while the latter spoke at length about how the idea of the awards came to be. And immediately after, the awards started going out in sets to their recipients.
At intervals during the presentation of the awards to winners, music stars such as Alayeluwa Sule Alao Malaika whose work with some Islamic music stars titled: "Iya Mi" won the Islamic music collaboration of the year, as well as the likes of Rukayat Gawat Oyefeso who emerged the Best Female Islamic Artistes of the Year, Saoty Arewa, who was declared the Best Male Islamic Artiste of the Year, and other winners like Ayeloyun, Saheed Ife Araye, Mistura Temi Ni Success and some others time could permit, gave a good account of themselves on the bandstand hosted by Ayeloyun's band.
Other dignitaries who graced the event included: Alhaji Bolaji Bello (B.B.), Alhaji Wasiu As-Sideeq, Islamic Musicians' Association of Nigeria (ISMAN) National Secretary, Honourable, Eyinju Anobi, T.Reign, Ummu Niyass, Olaiya Igwe and MC Oluomo's P.A. who represented him, Tope Aileru, the publisher of City Scoop, an online soft-sell magazine, Timmy Ajagunna, the editor of foremost online entertainment publication, Nigeria Entertainment Today and a host of others.
The event was proudly supported by Faaji 106.5 F.M., City People Magazine, Islanders International Magazine, Staco Insurance, Abllat Company Nigeria Limited and Laredo Small Chops.
Below is the full list of winners at the awards:
(1) Best Male Islamic Artiste of the Year: Alhaji Abdul-Azeez Abdul-Salami (Saoty Arewa)
(2) Best Female Islamic Artiste of the Year: Alhaja Rukayat Gawat Oyefeso (Imole)
(3) Best Islamic Music Album of the Year: Gbemisoke By Brother Bamidele Saheed (Ife Araye)
(4) Best Islamic Music Video of the Year: Fife L’aye By Alhaji Qamarudeen Odunlami (Ayeloyun)
(5) Best Islamic Music Collaboration of the Year: Iya Mi By Alayeluwa Sule Alao Adekunle (Malaika)
(6) Best Islamic Hip Hop Artiste of the Year: Gbadegesin Lawal (Lawizzy)
(7) Face of Islamic Music, Male: Alhaji Abdul-Kabir Bukola Alayande (Ere Asalatu)
(8) Face of Islamic Music, Female: Alhaja Aminat Babalola Balogun (Omotayebi)
(9) Best New Male Islamic Artiste of the Year: Alhaji Basit Katibi Bello (Monife Anobi)
(10) Best New Female Islamic Artiste of the Year: Sister Aishat Adeleke (Ummu Niyass)
(11) Most Fashionable Islamic Artiste, Male: Ahmad Najim (Alawiye)
(12) Most Fashionable Islamic Artiste, Female: Sister Khadijah Adeloye (Ewa Islam)
(13) Best Producer of Islamic Music Album: Alhaji Bolaji Bello (BB)
(14) Best Islamic Music Video Director: Dare Zaka
(15) Best Islamic Music Instrumentalist: Lanre Olubunmi (Lanre Sax)
(16) Best Kid Islamic Artiste: Sister Aishat Ayopo
(17) Best Islamic Artiste In Stage Performance: Alhaja Mistura Aderohunmu Ashafa (Temi Ni Success)
(18) Best Featured Non Islamic Artiste in Islamic Album: King Saheed Osupa
(19) Best Editor of Islamic Music Video: Mr. Saheed Oyeledun
(20) Best Featured Movie Actor in Islamic Music Video: Mrs. Ronke Ojo Anthony (Oshodi Oke)
(21) Best Islamic Music Marketer: Mr. Sunday Esan (Okiki Films & Music Productions)
(22) Best Islamic Music Promoter: Mr. Sunday Esan (Okiki Films & Music Productions)
(23) Best Supportive Radio Station to Islamic Music: Faaji 106.5 F.M.
(24) Best Supportive Tv Station to Islamic Music: LTV 8
(25) Best Supportive Newspaper to Islamic Music: The Sun
(26) Best Supportive Magazine to Islamic Music: City People Magazine
(27) Best Supportive Individual to Islamic Music: Alhaji Musiliu Akinsanya (MC Oluomo)
(28) Best Supportive Corporate Organization to Islamic Music: ABLAT Company Nigeria Limited
(29) Best Reporter of Islamic Music: Mr. Taofeeq Afolabi
(30) Best Supportive Islamic Cleric to Islamic Music: Sheikh Muri n’Bariga
(31) Best Islamic Music Friendly Presenter: Alhaji Sulaymon Olawoyin (Kokoro Alujanna)
(32) Islamic Music Legend Recognition Award: Alhaji Wasiu As-Sideeq (Baba n Waka)
Special Recognition Award for Supporting Islamic Projects
Mr. Sunday Esan (Okiki Films & Music Productions)
Mr. Peter Anayo Okafor (Golden Point Music)
Alhaji Waheed Ogunbiyi
Chief Wasiu Elemoro
Alhaji Musbau Adams
Alhaji Taofeek Adeyemi
Alhaji Ibrahim Subair
Alhaji Hakeem Olawuyi
Alhaji Kazeem Afolayan (Epsalum Productions)
