Kenyans celebrate Lupita's Oscar award
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E-mail Xinhua, March 4, 2014
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta led millions of Kenyans on Monday in celebrating Lupita Nyong'o who joined history books by becoming the best supporting actress in a highly publicized film "12 Years A Slave" at the revered Oscar Awards 2014.
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Actress Lupita Nyong'o celebrates winning Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role award for "12 Years a Slave" during the Oscars at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles, the United States, on March 2, 2014. [Xinhua] |
In a statement issued in Nairobi, Kenyatta said "With millions of Kenyans, and others right across the world, I was moved by her fine performance, and by her humility and joy in triumph."
"On behalf of the Kenyan people, it is an honor, and a great pleasure, to congratulate Lupita Nyong'o on her magnificent achievement in winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress," the president said in a statement.
"Let me also congratulate her mother and father, for their part in their daughter's, and their nation's achievement," Kenyatta said.
Lupita is the first Kenyan to be nominated as well as win an Oscar award. She beat her main competitor Jennifer Lawrence who had been nominated for the award for her role in the movie American Hustle.
Other nominees in the category included Sally Hawkins (Blue Jasmine), Julia Roberts (August: Osage County) and June Squibb (Nebraska). A stunned Lupita took the stage to a standing ovation and went on to thank the 12 years a slave cast.
She also thanked her brother Junior who was sitting next to her as well as her family. "As I look down this Oscar, I hope that every child knows that no matter where you come from, your dreams are valid," she said.
Lupita added the Oscar to her collection which includes the Hollywood Film Awards, Independent Spirit Awards, Image Awards, Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards and several others.
In his statement, Kenyatta said Lupuita's excellence inspires and deserves emulation. "Lupita reminds us of all that is possible for the youth of this nation when they set their hearts and minds to a great task -- in her own words, 'no matter where you're from, your dreams are valid,'" he said.
"We, their parents, must take these words to heart; ours is to help our young people fulfill their potential."
The president said his government will establish a network of creative academies to bring Kenya's young talents to bloom.
"We have also made plans to reinvigorate Kenyan creativity by establishing a Kenya Film School, and planning for the construction of a new, modern National Theatre in Nairobi has begun," he said.
Wild celebrations also engulfed Lupiuta's village in Western Kenya. The residents congratulated Lupita on her "woman strength" which enabled her to conquer the world of theatre with her role in the play "12 Years a Slave"
Several leaders congratulated Kenya's first Oscar winner, including First Lady Margaret Kenyatta, German Ambassador to Kenya Andreas Peschke and Cabinet Secretaries as well as former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
"Write your vision on a wall, Congratulations Lupita. You're truly an African daughter. So proud of you as a nation," First Lady Margaret Kenyatta said on her official Twitter account.
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