AUC, on Monday October 5, unveiled Lagos, Nigeria, as the Host City for
the 2015 All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, putting to rest high
expectations among AFRIMA stakeholders about the Nigerian city to
capture hosting rights.
Announcing the host city, the Director of Communication and Sponsorship,
AFRIMA, Ms. Matlou Tsotsetsi said: “Following the recce and inspection
of facilities and infrastructure of four states in Nigeria namely: Akwa
Ibom State, Cross Rivers State, Lagos State and Rivers State by the
African Union Commission, AUC and AFRIMA production team, Lagos has been
chosen to host the continental awards ceremony this year”.
Ms. Tsotetsi further said: “It is worth mentioning that Nigeria won the
rights to host AFRIMA for three years – 2014 to 2016 – as announced at a
world media conference by the International Committee of AFRIMA on
October 6, 2013. Nigeria vied for the hosting rights alongside 13 other
African countries eventually winning the competitive bid. As a result of
this, the 2014 edition held in Lagos, while AFRIMA 2015 holds at the Eko
Convention Centre, Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos on
Sunday, November 15.
The most populous city in Nigeria, Lagos is renowned as the hub of
music, entertainment and commerce in Western Africa. Lagos is also
globally recognised as an African megacity for business and tourism. The
state is famous for her aquatic splendour and vibrant festivals/events
such as Eyo Festival, Badagry Festival, Lagos Black Heritage Carnival,
Lagos Carnival, Eko International Film Festival, Lagos Seafood Festival,
Lagos Photo Festival and the Lagos Jazz Series.
The 2015 edition of AFRIMA is geared to increase the tourism and
entertainment equity of the state as the International Committee
prepares to receive an influx of international and Africa dignitaries,
AFRIMA 2015 nominees, music stars and executives who are attending the
events.
AFRIMA 2015 will go further to offer benefits that would help in raising
the continental and international profile of the city, including an
opportunity to tap into the millions of participants and followers of
the growing African music.
According to Miss Mary Umeh, an enthusiastic African music fans and an
undergraduate of the University of Lagos, UNILAG, “We have been
privileged to witness so many special moments through entertainment and
music over the years in Lagos. However, having African music superstars
under one roof at AFRIMA 2015 in Lagos will leave us with wonderful
memories remembered with pride in years to come. It will be truly
inspiring.”
Stating the International Committee`s position on Lagos as the host city
for AFRIMA 2015, the Executive Producer/President of AFRIMA, Mike Dada,
said: “The International Committee is honoured to have a state that is
rich in culture and tourism and shares in AFRIMA`s vision of creating a
deep brand equity for Africa and Africans. This is in line with our
objective of promoting Africa’s cultural wealth and producing a
world-class, live performance and television broadcast show that
portrays the best of Africa to the rest of the world”.
Preceding the main awards ceremony on Sunday, November 15, will be the
“Africa Music Summit” on Friday, November 13. Themed “Reviving the
Business of Music in Africa”, the Summit is a platform for the African
music industry stakeholders to engage and deliberate on how the music
industry in Africa can be nurtured in a way that adds to the GDP of the
continent.
The 2015 awards ceremony is expected to be broadcast live to 84
countries on 109 television stations across the world with the support
of AFRIMA media partners.
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Entertainment