Airtel Powers Africa Movies Academy Awards
Lagos, Nigeria; April 13, 2012: Leading telecommunications services provider, Airtel Nigeria been unveiled as the official sponsor of the African Movies Academy Awards (AMAA) by the organisers of the event.
The mobile operator was unveiled in Lagos during the week to the media at a press conference to announce the partnership and provide update on the pan African academy Awards scheduled for April 22 at the Expo Hall of Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Rajan Swaroop said the partnership AMAA provides the company a good platform to celebrate and reward excellence in the African film and movie industry in addition to giving it a perfect opportunity to contribute Airtel's quota to the development of African film and Cinema industry.
He added that the coming together of Airtel, one of the top five telecoms companies in the world and AMAA, Africa's most popular and respected awards for filmmakers and movie stars, is significant in many ways. “Just as AMAA has over the years brought smile to the faces of the key players in the movie and cinema industry and their fans, Airtel continue to empower people across Nigeria and indeed the continent to communicate and sustain their business and familial ties through borderless mobile telecoms services and other innovative, relevant and affordable offerings, Swaroop said.
The Chief Executive of Airtel was represented by the Head, Brands Communication, Airtel Nigeria, Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu.
Explaining the choice of Airtel as official sponsor, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, Chief Executive Officer of AMAA noted that the mobile company had proven to be a true African brand with her operations covering 17 countries.
“Our partnership with Airtel is a brand alignment that actually works for us. AMAA is an African Award that seeks to celebrate the achievements of Africans in the film industry. We must celebrate our own. The best thing that can happen to the players in the industry is to be recognised. Airtel connects Africa with her wide spread presence just like we do, and this is a key passion point for Africans,” she said.
The following were also present at the press conference held in Ikeja, Lagos, Tony Anih, Director of Admin and Executive Secretary- AMAA, Ifeanyi Egbuwa, Manager, Customer Experience and Media Operations Lagos region, Airtel Nigeria Emmanuel Otokhine, Head of PR, Airtel Nigeria, Shaibu Husseini, Chairman, Screening panel and member of jury –AMAA and Chioma Afe, Senior Manager, Sponsorship and brand activation, Airtel Nigeria and
AMAA 2012 will feature 60 nominations in 26 categories out of the initial 134 film entries submitted.
