Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson (left) Chief Executive Officer, First City Monument Bank, Mr. Ladi Balogun (left) and the South African High Commissioner to Nigeria, Amassador Kingsley Mamabolo
Hosting an international event requires proper planning and funds. Only very few event organisers, therefore, hold international standard events in Nigeria. And one of such groups is the African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), which last Saturday hosted the second edition of its Sponsors Diner at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos. The event was to garner the needed financial support for AMAA.
The body got more than N200million cash with N50million worth of airtime on Cool FM and Ebony Life TV at the event while Arik Air promised to give 40 per cent discount on all flights related to the awards. Skye Bank on its part is planning a huge deal with the awards but did not announce the figures at the event. Many other companies also pledged their support.
As the name suggests, the event was a diner with sponsors and would-be sponsors. It was also an opportunity to sell the event to the corporate world. Leading the AMAA team was the chief host, the Governor of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson, who used the occasion to tell the captains of industry about his achievements in office in the last two years. He said his administration wants to develop the economy of the state beyond oil, listing tourism as a major economic driver for the non-oil sector economy.
‘’With AMAA as our flagship entertainment platform and other entertainment events that we promote in the state, Bayelsa is becoming the entertainment headquarters of Nigeria. Investment in AMAA is an investment in the future of Nigeria. We are committed to promoting Nigerian talents in movie, music and fashion. Bayelsa is building a film city where filmmakers from all over the world can come and shoot their films. We are also developing our tourism infrastructure to make Bayelsa the leisure capital of Nigeria. I appeal to private sector leaders to support AMAA and Bayelsa government’s efforts to enhance the capacity of our youths in the creative industry,” Dickson said.
In her speech, the Director General of Bayelsa State Tourism Board, Mrs. Ebizi Brown, urged private sector investors to invest in the state as it has generous incentives for investors, adding that the history of AMAA with Bayelsa in the last 10 years has been one of partnership for development.
The Chief Executive Officer of the awards, Ms. Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, recalled the history of AMAA with Bayelsa since 2005 and thanked former Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha and President Goodluck Jonathan for their support for AMAA from inception till date.
‘’I want to appeal to corporate Nigeria to support us in the creative industry. Nigerian young men and women should be supported to grow. Nollywood and our music are great cultural exports from Nigeria that the world has embraced and respected. Three presidents, who came to Abuja for Nigeria’s Centenary celebration few days ago, said Nollywood and our music are popular around the world and in their countries. There is money to be made in this sector with the right support and investment. By sponsoring AMAA and other events in the industry, you will get return on your investment. Working with our media partners, AMAA has developed multi-channel media platforms to give your brands the right exposure in Africa and globally,” she said.
Mr. Ladi Balogun, who was the Chairman of the dinner was assisted by Mr. Tunde Ayeni, Chairman of Skye Bank Plc, who called on his friends such as Mr. Albert Okumagba, managing director of BGL; Mr. Timi Alaibe, former managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC); Mr. George Anyiam-Osigwe, group executive director of Anyiam Osigwe Group; King A.J Turner and others to sponsor the awards this year.