Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment endorses AFRIMA

Trade & Investment Minister targets entertainment to create jobs
…endorses All Africa Music Awards

The Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga has revealed his ministry’s intention to target the booming entertainment industry in Nigeria for job creation and to improve the GDP of the country.

Dr. Aganga disclosed this in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, when members of the International Committee of AFRIMA visited his office to seek the Ministry’s support for the 2014 All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) to be hosted in Nigeria. According to the minister, “the potential of the entertainment industry needs to be tapped to create employment/entrepreneurial opportunities for the youth and to improve the country’s economy”.
He added that the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment will be glad to partner with AFRIMA in line with the ministry’s vision to formulate and implement policies and programmes to attract investment, boost industrialisation, increase trade and exports and develop enterprises in Nigeria
“Therefore, the private sector must be encouraged to drive this process just like AFRIMA is planning to do through its proposed ‘Africa Music Summit’ which will in part address how to unlock the potentials in the entertainment sector with particular focus on the music industry”, he said,
In his earlier presentation, AFRIMA President and Executive Producer, Mr. Mike Dada pointed out that the award project is not all about social engagements such as “On the Way to AFRIMA” a music concert billed for cities around Africa and overseas and the “On the Road to AFRIMA” documentary bus tour of Africa to experience the music and culture of places along the bus route. In addition to these mentioned activities on the six-month event calendar, there will be a one-day Media Workshop and a two-day Africa Music Summit themed: “The Economic Power of Music” that will precede the main award ceremony slated for October 11, 2014.
The Summit, according to Mr. Dada, is to engage both local and international stakeholders in the industry on how to drive the industry in a business-like manner that will be enduring and sustainable. The event is expected to attract international music businesses like label owners and ICT solution providers to engage practitioners and stakeholders in pushing the African music industry forward for the posterity of the continent.
Other members of the AFRIMA team who visited the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment are Director, Brand Communication and Sponsorship, Ms. Matlou Tsotetsi; Member, AFRIMA Media Committee (Nigeria), Mr. Loye Amzat and Chairman, Security and Protocol Committee, Ms. Marilyn Ogar.
The 2014 All Africa Music Awards will produce a star-studded, world-class event to be held in Nigeria on Saturday, October 25, 2014, with live performances and television broadcast to 84 countries on 109 television stations around the world.