AFRIMA’S HOST CITY TO BE ANNOUNCED 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,

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.