AFRIMA 2016; AU SET TO ANNOUNCE OFFICIAL HOST CITY ON MONDAY

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 on
4-6 November.

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 All Africa Music Awards,
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, the All Africa
Music Awards, 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.