AFRIMA: Beat S’Africa to Hosting Rights, Stakeholders Tell Tinubu, Musawa

A culture and creative industry advocacy group, Arewa Creative Industry Heritage Vanguard, has called on President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy, Hanatu Musawa, to lead efforts in securing the hosting rights for the next two editions of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA)offered by the African Union Commission to Nigeria and South Africa as reported in the media recently.

They urged Nigeria  to ensure that at least one edition of the prestigious event takes place in the northern region of Nigeria of Kaduna, Jos or Abuja due to years of alleged deliberate marginalisation and deprivation of international events of this nature.

According to Dr Shehu Samadi, the President of the Vanguard, speaking from Kaduna, they have learned that the African Union (AU) invited the governments of Nigeria and South Africa to submit bids for the hosting rights for the next editions of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA).

 As such, they are imploring and advising Tinubu not to allow South Africa to beat Nigeria to the hosting rights as this will have implications on the national psyche of Nigerians and the development of the music industry.

 It called on the Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, Hanatu Musawa to update Nigerians on the progress made thus far in securing the AFRIMA hosting rights, for Nigerians to know how and where to assist in achieving this common objective.

The group, which comprises cultural enthusiasts, music industry stakeholders, and advocates for Northern Nigeria’s music heritage, said it recognises the significance of AFRIMA in promoting African music and fostering cultural exchange across the continent and with the rest of the world.

 Therefore, they said they believe it is essential for Nigeria, especially the Northern region, to play a central role in hosting the event and showcasing the country’s rich creativity and cultural diversity from its point of expertise and cultural expression.

Samadi emphasised three significant reasons why Tinubu should champion the course of securing the hosting rights.

The group recalled with nostalgia how Tinubu in 2015, in person received a 23.9 karat gold plated AFRIMA trophy as the pillar of Art and Culture in Africa presented by the African Union commission.

” This should motivate the president to intensify efforts to secure the hosting rights, having experienced the creative power and the global influence of AFRIMA personally.

“The second reason is that as the Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)  Tinubu can utilise the opportunity of hosting a large-scale event like this to further his commitment towards promoting unity, economic development, and cultural diversity in the region and on the continent.

“ Although an event of AFRIMA’s scale can cause significant ripples across the continent and around the world, Nigeria stands a chance of benefiting the most, and we in the North hope to tap into the inherent benefits as against the past practice of marginalization where such international events are preserved for the exclusive experience of the southern part of Nigeria,” it said.

Thirdly, it said the Nigerian Music industry has witnessed astronomical global growth with little or no input from successive governments.

It added that hosting an AFRIMA by this government provides an appropriate platform for the Tinubu administration to establish itself as a creative industry supporting the government as well as engendering positive perception and image for Nigeria to attract tourism and foreign direct investment.

“Fourth, we believe that Northern Nigeria has the potential to become a tourism hub, and hosting events like this can help mitigate the effect of insecurity in our region. We are eager to host an event like this because we strongly believe that it could be used to address the issues that have plagued our region, including terrorism and banditry.

“By promoting peace and tranquillity, our youth can embrace hope and prosperity as well promote the budding music talents in the region who require inspiration and pragmatic motivation” the group said.

The group advocated for the cities of Abuja, Jos and Kaduna to be considered as host cities for at least one of the two editions of AFRIMA.

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