Nigeria wins right to host Africa Music Awards
After months of intensive deliberations, history was made as Nigeria eventually emerged as the winner to host right of AFRIMA (Africa Music Awards).
The final decision was reached on, Saturday October 5, in Lagos by the International Committee of AFRIMA with members drawn from parts of Africa.
Speaking to journalists, AFRIMA’s Brand Communication and Sponsorship Director, South Africa’s Matlou Tsotetsi said Nigeria was selected to host the much expected pan- African music award among Gabon, South Africa, Namibia and Kenya.
One of the factors that aided the decision to give Nigeria the maiden hosting right is her booming business of music and the growing entertainment and event – hosting infrastructure.
“We took a lot of factors into consideration before Nigeria was eventually considered and nominated just like we did last year in Namibia, before we arrived at the last five countries,” Mr Tsotetsi said.
Nigeria will host the music awards aimed at rewarding African music talent for the next three consecutive years, while countries bidding to host after Nigeria would be announced in 2015.
The award ceremony that will be preceded by a two-day Pan African Music Summit is expected to be held on Saturday, October 25, 2014.
There will be 27 categories of awards that will be decided by a college of judges and fan sms/online voting.
AFRIMA, designed to be the ultimate recognition of African music talent globally, has five Regional Directors and 54 Country Directors across Africa to streamline activities.
As part of the build- up to the award ceremony, a road show tagged: “’On the way to the AFRIMA’s,” will be held in three major cities of the world- New York, London and Paris including four cities in four of the key regions in Africa.
Mr Mike Strano, the Regional Director, Eastern Africa and co-Producer of the award, said the unique selling propositions of the awards, is maiden in the history of hosting music awards in Africa.
Songwriters will be recognised among several other industry professionals.
AFRIMA, which has been designed to work with the African Union to foster unity, peace and love among African nations, will embrace Statesmen, cultural icons, members of the diplomatic community and business leaders across the world.
According to the Executive Producer of AFRIMA, Mike Dada: ”AFRIMA will provide opportunities to showcase our strength as Africans for global competitiveness and project our musical and cultural values.
“Our mission is to project our heritage and bright future through the art of music.”
Mr Dada, a brand communication and public relations expert, said AFRIMA would accentuate Nigeria’s status in cultural and entertainment products on the continent.
AFRIMA will unite Africans with a live broadcast to 84 countries on 109 television stations across the world in the English and French languages.
Source: GNA