The African Union Commission in partnership with the International Committee of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), will on Monday, August 15, 2016, at Protea Hotel, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos announce the city to emerge official host of the 2016 edition of AFRIMA that is scheduled to hold in
November 2016.
In January 2016, the African Union identified and nominated four cities in the host country, Nigeria that include Cross Rivers, Akwa-Ibom, Rivers and Lagos to present itself for the hosting of continental music awards, which is having its third edition in Nigeria.
The AU’s interest in these four cities emanated from the visions of their state governments in promoting tourism and preserving Africa’s rich culture while also inspiring African youths. The parameters of security, infrastructure and facilities, availability of appropriate venues among others are key factors of assessment.
According to the African Union Commissioner for Social Affairs, African Union Commission, Dr Mustapha Sidi Kaloko, the main purpose of host city partnership is to shore up Africa’s image of a great continent imbued with unequaled tourist attractions and also to showcase economic potential of cities in Africa.
He said, “It is to promote Africa’s strengths to the global audience which in turn adds to the GDP of the state and the continent at large.”
Dignitaries expected at the Host City Announcement Ceremony are top officials of the African Union, nominated state government officials; music professionals; artistes from the continent and the Diaspora; stakeholders in the creative/entertainment industry and journalists from all walks of life.
Meanwhile, the Associate producer of the AFRIMA, Ms Adenrele Niyi , stressed that transparency and fairness, as depicted in AFRIMA’s ethos, will be highly employed in the choice of which state emerges as host city of AFRIMA 2016.
He said, “AFRIMA is an international platform which seeks to celebrate the African cultural heritage and values using this channel to reward established talents as well as emerging music talents of African origin.
Also, AFRIMA creates sustainable growth of the African music industry as a contributor to national and continental economies. Among AFRIMA’s core values are fairness, integrity and transparency. The AU and the International Committee of AFRIMA will stand by these values in the choice of the host city for the 2016 edition.”
In partnership with the African Union Commission, AUC, AFRIMA was established as a continental music and cultural initiative to celebrate, reward and showcase the rich musical heritage of Africa, stimulate conversations among Africans and the rest of the globe about the great potential and values of the African culture and artistic legacy for the purpose of creating jobs, reducing poverty, calling attention of world leaders to Africa and promoting the positive image of Africa to the world.
The continental award tagged AFRIMA 3.0, will have its grand finale from November 4-6, 2016 in the city that will be announced by the AU.
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