IT was celebration galore as celebrities from all walks of life converged at the Shell Hall of the  Muson Center, Onikan, Lagos to celebrate with Fred Amata who clocked 50 last Saturday. Expectedly, Fred Agbeyegbe’s award-winning epic stage drama, The King Must Dance Naked, was presented to an appreciative audience.

The cast paraded notable thespians like Kate Henshaw, Paul Adams, Keppy Ekpeyong, Jude Orhorha, Dan Chris Ebie. Others who made the drama worthwhile were Inna Erizia, Mayuwon Ogun, Samson Osinaike, Tajudeen Abeedeen and Azeezat Latefat. Francis Onwuche was the narrator while the celebrant, Fred Amata, doubled as Majebi and the executive producer.

The event was crowned with a Certificate of Occupancy from Delta State governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan that was presented by Sir Patrick Eferefe of Delta State Land and Survey. Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), on the other hand was also represented by Dr. Dolapo Bada, Commissioner for Youth Development.

The outpour of encomiums from both state government representatives and notable Nollywood actors was the climax of activities. In his tribute, Zik Zulu, MD/CEO of Association of Movie Producers (AMP), Nigeria, apparently captured the described Fred as, “A dazzler and a sizzler at 50.”

He wrote: “AMP salutes the crystal symbol of the legendary Amata artistic family, Fred Amata, on his gallant adventure into the golden age.”

A message from the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), led by Ibinabo Fiberesima, read, “Through courage, vision, creativity, hard work and faith in God, you have attained great heights and made indelible marks in your chosen career within the short period of 50 years.”

Directors Guild of Nigeria was not left out of the homage signed by its president, Andy Amenechi. According to DGN’s tribute: “Fred Amata is an enigma. To many, he is a free-spirited, fun-loving, boisterous, effervescent and creative intellect who practices his art with ingenuity.”

Interestingly, the celebration will finally come to an end with a visit to an old peoples’ home and an orphanage home which is yet to be made public. Meanwhile, the Wednesday, May 15 charity football match was a gathering of celebrities, including celebrated ex Super Eagle Stars who filed out against Nollywood celebrities at the Campus Square, Lagos Island.