Mr. Matthew Evbakor Oshodin, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Surprise Pub and Cafe, one of the leading hospitality business in Edo State, has been honoured with the Distinguished Industry Support Award by the Benin Film Academy (BFA).

The award was done in conjunction with the Igbinedion University, Okada (IUO) and it was for his contribution to the academy and to the development of the hospitality industry in Edo State.

Speaking at the 2023 graduation ceremony/festival of short films and award ceremony of the Benin Film Academy (BFA), at the Kada Cinemas, Benin, Dr. Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen, on behalf of the management of Benin Film Academy and Igbinedion University Okada, said Mr. Oshodin has been supporting the academy since 2008 in all its ramifications.

He said such a man who has laid down his resources and facilities for the promotion of hospitality business in the state can never be ignored but be singled out for honour and recognition for others to see.

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Imasuen said that he believes that the award will engineer him to always contribute his quota to the growth of the film industry in Nigeria.

“You have been a wonderful friend and associate of the academy, always ready to assist us in whatever ways we may need, have impacted greatly to the growth of the academy, and in extension, the entertainment industry.

” We are very proud of you and to be associated with you, to this end, we want to honour you with an award as you have in turn honoured us”, Imasuen said.

Responding, the recipient of the award, Oshodin thanked the academy for recognizing his contributions to the film industry.

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He said he has always known that the society can only be a better place if everyone comes together to support a course, adding that, to him, the entertainment industry is a course that everybody should support and that is why he has always shown commitment to the sector.

Oshodin added that on several occasions, he has invited notable Nigerian artistes both within Edo state and outside to Benin to perform and also honoured deserving local artistes, all, just to contribute to the entertainment industry in the state.

He said the award would always stir him up to do more for the sector just as he called on other well meaning Nigerians to contribute their quota to the academy to thrive in the state.

Commending the awardee, Prince Osama Erediauwa, said it was an award well deserved noting that it will spur him to do more for the entertainment industry in the country.

He said Oshodin has really done more for the entertainment industry and he urged him to continue his good works.

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Also speaking, Prince Blessing Eweka, said that Oshodin, the CEO of Surprise Pub and Cafe has really been at the forefront of the entertainment industry, supporting it with all he has adding the honour, did not come to him as a surprise because he (Oshodin) has been contributing to the industry for a long time, being a very kind hearted man.

For Mr. Destiny Ilo and Raymond Chika, they said they are not surprised at the award because Oshodin has been supporting both local and international artistes in the state.

They however called on other Nigerians to emulate Oshodin who loves promoting the entertainment industry in the state.