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AFRIMA 2017: Lagos partners African Union as host city

By Editor
22 September 2017   |   4:12 am
Following the African Union (AU) awarding of the 2017 host country rights of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) to Nigeria, Lagos State government as host city is gearing up to welcome thousand of visitors to the 4th edition of the annual all Africa awards holding from November 9 to 12, 2017. 

AFRIMA

Following the African Union (AU) awarding of the 2017 host country rights of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) to Nigeria, Lagos State government as host city is gearing up to welcome thousand of visitors to the 4th edition of the annual all Africa awards holding from November 9 to 12, 2017. 

The development is coming after the successful outing of the state at the 2016 edition of the awards, where it won the won the official host city rights, after it showcased the megacity’s international repute as one of the fastest growing destinations in the world through a spectacular hosting of hundreds of international delegates, who poured into the city for the awards events that held between November 4 – 6, 2016.

Reiterating its eagerness to sustain the partnership with Lagos State towards the 2017 edition of Africa’s biggest music event, the AU in a letter to the governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, with reference no: DSA/CUL/16/1233.17 signed by the Commissioner of Social Affairs, Her Excellency, Amira Elfadil, congratulated the governor and people of Lagos State on the 50th anniversary of Lagos State, while also appreciating the megacity for the pride-inspiring hosting of AFRIMA 2016.

The read, “Following the successful hosting of AFRIMA last year to the pride of the continent, we again request for the partnership of Lagos State as the Official Host City of the AFRIMA 2017 events for the purpose of showcasing the unique artistic, tourism and economic potentials of Africa’s leading city and promoting its strengths to a global audience for competitiveness.” 

The AU in the letter noted it awarded the AFRIMA host city rights to Lagos for the second time because the state has a clear and progressive ‘development agenda’ and a vision for tourism, culture and entertainment for Africans.

“This is in line with the AU Agenda 2063, the Charter for African Cultural Renaissance and the Plan of Action on Cultural and Creative Industries” the letter also read. 

Reacting on behalf of the government of Lagos State, Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Steve Ayorinde said the state was honoured to play host to Africa for the 2016 AFRIMA events, and look forward with a sense of responsibility to taking up the role of official host city for AFRIMA 2017.

He said, “Governor Akinwunmi Ambode is committed to undertaking developmental projects that contribute to the socio-economic empowerment of the citizenry and the state. AFRIMA fits into the category of such initiatives that draw increased international attention to the cultural and artistic attractions of Lagos State.”

“The heavy influx of people from across the world to Lagos for the four-day event is welcome for the economy of the city and there is no doubt that our megacity has the capacity to host Africa from November 9th to 12th when the AFRIMA events are scheduled to hold,” Ayorinde added.
 
Reacting to the news of Lagos State as the host city for the 2017 awards, AFRIMA Regional Director for West Africa, Mr. Don Obilor, said “I think the decision by the AU for the beautiful city Lagos State to host the event is in order so as to consolidate the gains of the past events with all its attendant leanings for bigger and better ones.”

“All too soon the vision of AFRIMA being the ‘World Cup’ of music in Africa where countries will pitch for the hosting rights is happening. This has not come by accident but through the almost fanatical single-minded pursuit of excellence by the International Committee of AFRIMA and its partners across the world.

“The challenge is to continue to raise the standards with every edition of the programme so that Africa will be proud of its own home grown award and rewarding scheme. Congratulations to the Art and entertainment capital of Africa as we all look forward to another exhilarating experience in Lagos,” he added.

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