Afrima 2016; African Union Thanks Ambode

By All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA

The African Union Commission, AUC, has expressed appreciation to the Governor of Lagos State, His Excellency, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode and the people of Lagos State, Nigeria for the successful outcome of the 2016 All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, held in Lagos State, the Official Host City, between November 4 and November 6.

In a letter dated November 14, 2016 with reference number DSA/CUL/16/1894.16 signed by the Commissioner of Social Affairs, African Union Commission, His Excellency, Dr. Mustapha Sidiki Kalako and addressed to the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, the AUC thanked the governor, his cabinet and ‘the hospitable people of Lagos State for partnership with the African Union and AFRIMA to host the 2016 edition as the Official Host City of the continental music events between November 4 to 6.

According to the letter from the African Union, “As we celebrate the successful hosting of AFRIMA 2016 edition in Lagos City, we cannot thank you enough for your generous support of the AFRIMA initiative which is in line with the African Union policies such as the AU Agenda 2063, the Charter for African Cultural Renaissance and the Plan of Action on Cultural and Creative Industries”.

Dr. Kalako concluded saying; “The AUC looks forward to partnering with the Lagos State for the AFRIMA initiative and for other similar culture and arts continent-wide initiatives which promote the African identity and heritage in subsequent times”.

The prestigious 2016 main awards ceremony held at the Convention Centre, Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island,Lagos,Nigeria was attended by African music superstars from 42 countries and dignitaries including the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; the wife of the Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode; the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluranti Adebule, Deputy Minister of Tourism and Hospitality, Zimbabwe, Mrs Ananstacia Ndhlovu as well as legendary African musicians such as Cameroon born saxophonist Manu Dibango; Nigerian singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, King Sunny Ade and Mama Marie Lozolo, wife of the late Papa Wemba. The deceased artiste from Democratic Republic of Congo received a post humous Special Recognition award, while Manu Dibango and King Sunny Ade also were honoured with legendary awards.

Dubbed as the biggest and number one music event in Africa, the annual AFRIMA platform is a unique event which recognises the work and talents of myriad African artistes and uses the platform of art, entertainment, tourism and culture to communicate the strength of Africa to the rest of the world for global competitiveness.

In its third edition, the well-attended AFRIMA events commenced with Africa Music Business Roundtable followed by the AFRIMA music village headlined by Femi Kuti amongst other 39 African artistes with a huge crowd of over twenty thousand.

Broadcast live to over 84 countries of the world, the AFRIMA Grand Finale, which was the awards ceremony, held on November 6, and was a rare display of culture, an evolution of fashion and a conglomeration of African superstars who were united with their love for the growth of the continent.


COMMISSIONER FOR SOCIAL AFFAIRS - AFRICAN UNION COMMISSI ON, DR. MUSTAPHA SIDIKI KALOKO


NKOSAZANA-DLAMINI-ZUMA-CHAIRPERSON-OF-THE-AFRICAN-UNION- COMMISSION


DEPUTY MINISTER OF TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY - MR S ANANSTACIA NDHLOVU DURING THE COURTESY VISIT TO THE GOVERNOR OF LAGOS STATE AFTER THE AFRIMA TOUR


L-R ; DEPUTY GOVERNOR LAGOS STATE; DR IDIAT OLURANTI ADEBULE, H.E. AKINWUNMI AMBODE AND WIFE MRS BOLANLE AM BODE AT THE AFRIMA EVENT


KING SUNNY ADE - EXCITED ABOUT HIS AWARD AT THE AFRIMA E VENT (2)


PHYNO PERFORMING AT THE AFRIMA EVENT


MANU DIBANGO PERFORMING AT THE AFRIMA EVENT


NINIOLA (NIGERIA) AND EDDY KENZO (UGANDA) PERFOR MING AT THE EVENT


THE SOUTH AFRICAN CHOIR, SOWETO GOSPEL CHOIR PERFORMIN G AT THE AFRIMA EVENT


P-SQUARE PERFORMING AT THE AFRIMA EVENT