Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Nollywood megastar, Kanayo O. Kanayo, has given reasons he wants to celebrate his 60th birthday in style, though not flamboyantly.
The Mbaise, Imo State-born actor who made the explanation in a viral video, gave the venue of the all-white themed birthday bash slated for Sunday, May 29, 2022 , as the MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos.
He said he turned 60 on March 1, but decided to hold the celebration on May 29th for convenience.
Kanayo who said he had never celebrated his birthday before, disclosed that his 50th birthday anniversary was put off in honour of the late Igbo legend and Biafra leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, whose death coincided with the occasion.
He explained that part of the reasons he decided to mark his 60th birthday in style was to correct the wrong notion that Nollywood stars always depend on public donations whenever they are in a fix, arguing that a Nollywood star can actually be a benefactor.
“Some people may ask: why party? I have never celebrated my birthday before. 10 years ago when I wanted to celebrate my 50th birthday, one person I held so dearly in Igbo land – Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, died. And I said to myself, I will put it off.
“So, I want to celebrate my 60th birthday on three tripods. One for the legal profession; I want to prove to people that it is not always when a Nollywood actor or actress is sick that we call people to come and donate money.
“It has almost become a norm and people deride Nollywood that when they are sick they are always asking for money here and there.
“But I am asking people to come and eat my rice and drink my choice wines. It is not going to be very expensive but we are going to celebrate.
“So, I use this opportunity to invite my friends in the legal profession, the Nollywood, the musicals to come and have fun.
“Don’t contribute money when you hear I am sick. Come and join me celebrate while I am alive.
“We will show you the Mbaise hospitality, the place where I come from!”
According to the Invite to the event seen by Ikengaonline, Red Carpet starts by 3pm.
Born Anayo Modestus Onyenkwere but popularly known by his stage name Kanayo O Kanayo, the Nollywood megastar who holds the national honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR), the traditional title, Ihe Mbaise Ji Ka Mba, recently co-authored a book, The Testator.
