Connect with us

Entertainment

AFRIMA advocates more collaborations among African artistes as Cameroon star KO-C and Burkina Faso’s Tanya visit AFRIMA’s secretariat

Published

1 year ago

on

The President of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), Mr. Mike Dada, has made a call for heightened collaborations among African musicians, urging artistes to leverage the platform created by the award institution to foster deeper connections and partnerships that will deepen the growth in the creative industry and boost the economy of the continent.

Dada made the call during a recent courtesy visit of emerging music superstars KO-C of Cameroon and Miss Tanya from Burkina Faso to AFRIMA’s secretariat in Lagos, Nigeria.

Dada, who is also the Executive Producer of AFRIMA, stated that the rich and diverse musical blend of Africa offers a unique platform for artists to collaborate and create exceptional works that reflect the cultural richness and distinct identity of the continent.

He described this as a key driver for the growth and global recognition of African music.

“We believe in the power of music to bring people together, transcending linguistic, cultural, and geographical barriers. AFRIMA believes that collaborative efforts can contribute not only to the advancement of individual artists but also to the collective elevation of African music on the global stage. We have championed this narrative for years, and we are happy that stakeholders across the continent have keyed into it, which is evident by the acceptance of our craft by the global audience. However, we think there is still room for improvement; we can still tell more of our story through more collaboration, and we can also learn from one another,” he said.

KO-C, who has taken Cameroon’s music landscape by storm, and has many awards to his name, described AFRIMA as the foremost music award platform on the African continent that every artist aspires to win.

KO-C, known for his chart-topping hits, including the single ‘Himself’, said, “Trust me, AFRIMA is the number one music award institution in Africa. You have created a platform that is unique and trustworthy; this is one award that has celebrated our success as Africans and provided opportunities for us to grow. As the President said, AFRIMA considers all artists the same; I know everyone has to work hard to win in any category of the award because of a whole lot of transparency you have thrown into it, and that is why all artists on our continent have continued to trust you.”

Tanya, a highly acclaimed vocalist from Burkina Faso, echoed similar sentiments, praising AFRIMA for its role in elevating African music globally.

The artist, who is the first and only Burkinabe musician to shut down the 45,000-capacity Ouagadougou Stadium, stated, “AFRIMA has consistently showcased the incredible talent that Africa possesses. As an artist, being recognized by AFRIMA is a tremendous honour. It’s a platform that allows us to connect with a broader audience and celebrate our unique musical identities. I am really working hard to be a winner someday.”

Dada, thanking the music stars for the courtesy visit, also said AFRIMA was not just an award institution but a unique platform committed to addressing challenges plaguing the continent through the implementation of its core values.

“There are core pillars of AFRIMA, which is why we are different from other platforms: the music award, the music festival, the Africa Business Summit, and the music academy. However, for instance, there is currently a lack of proper set designers and music production facilities in Africa. People learn on the job, as there is no proper school or academy where they can learn in a structured manner. We created the Music Academy to address this issue.

“Advocacy is another important pillar of AFRIMA. We believe that music is not just for entertainment but also a platform to raise concerns about issues in Africa. For example, we will be going to Somalia in March because that country has been at war for over two decades and nobody is talking about it. Children and women are dying every day, but the world has forgotten about them. We use music to encourage stakeholders to voice their concerns. We also draw attention to issues such as child education and health infrastructure and call on governments across Africa to take action.

“Talent discovery and growth are another pillar of AFRIMA. The main difference between artists in Europe, America, and Africa is the lack of access to facilities. Many artists in Africa have to write, produce, publish, and distribute their music themselves, without access to proper facilities. To address this, we have partnered with studios so that artists can record their three-minute songs and make videos for free. We then showcase these videos to the rest of the world through our media platforms, and an investor or record label might hear the music and be interested. We are also advocating for legislation that can allow artists to use their intellectual property as collateral for loans to produce and promote their work.”

BridgeAfric President Victoria Nkong, who was part of the entourage to AFRIMA’s headquarters, concurred with Dada on the need for more collaboration among African artists, especially between the Francophone and Anglophone divides.

“These collaborations are crucial for the growth of music in Africa. Through this process, artists can learn a lot from their colleagues in other countries. Governments are unlikely to do much for us, so we have to take the initiative and develop our sector ourselves. I always encourage artists from other countries to follow Nigeria’s example with the way they are pushing Afrobeat to a global audience. The success of Nigerian music is the result of efforts from stakeholders, and we can replicate that success across Africa,” said Nkong, whose BridgeAfric is creating opportunities for artists in Africa to showcase their talent beyond their countries.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Advertisement

Entertainment

Court grants Jude Okoye N100m bail in money laundering case

Published

19 hours ago

on

March 3, 2025

By

 

The Federal High Court in Lagos, on Monday, granted Jude Okoye, the former manager of the now-defunct music group P-Square, bail in the amount of N100 million.

 

Justice Alexander Owoeye approved the bail, stipulating two sureties, each with a similar amount in value. The court also placed a travel restriction on Okoye, prohibiting him from leaving the country.

 

One of the sureties, the judge ruled, must be the owner of a landed property, among other requirements.

 

 

Okoye, the elder sibling of Peter and Paul Okoye of P-Square, was arraigned last Wednesday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on charges of money laundering. The charges involve ₦1.38 billion, $1 million, and £34,537.59.

 

The EFCC also charged Okoye and his company, Northside Music Limited, with acquiring a property in 2022 at 5 Tony Eromosele Street, Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos. The property, worth ₦850 million, was allegedly purchased using funds that Okoye knew, or should have known, were proceeds of criminal activities.

 

 

Continue Reading

Entertainment

ED of NFVCB, Honored with Prestigious Fellow of Theatre Profession Award

Published

5 days ago

on

February 27, 2025

By

The National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP) has conferred the
esteemed Fellow of Theatre Profession award upon Dr. Shaibu Husseini, Executive
Director/CEO of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB). NANTAP says the
award of Fellow of Theatre Arts (fta) was awarded to theatre practitioner, film journalist, culture
advocate and administrator in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the growth and
development of theatre practice in Nigeria.

The award ceremony took place on Sunday, February 22, at the Glover Hall, Lagos, and was
attended by distinguished personalities in the Nigerian culture, theatre and film industries
including the General Manager of National Theatre Tola Akerele, Culture activist and
programme chairman of Coalition For Relevant Arts (CORA) Jahman Anikulapo, Chairman of
the Body of Fellows of NANTAP Prof Duro Oni, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of
NANTAP and Chairman of Audio-Visual Rights Society of Nigeria (AVRS), Mahmood Ali-Balogun,  Veteran actor
Norbert Young and the veteran actress Joke Silva Jacobs who was also honoured at the event.
NANTAP had noted in the citation read before the NFVCB ED was decorated that Dr. Shaibu
has made significant strides in promoting Nigerian dance, theatre and film, both locally and
internationally. NANTAP also acknowledged that Dr. Shaibu’s recent appointment as ED/CEO
of NFVCB has been instrumental in shaping the country's film industry.


The NFVCB boss thanked NANTAP for the prestigious honour and recognition which he
described as not just a personal recognition, but also a testament to the hard work, dedication and
passion of every individual who has contributed to the growth and development of theatre
practice in Nigeria, ‘’I am grateful, honoured and proud to be part of a community that has
consistently pushed the boundaries of creativity, innovation and excellence. Since the reward for
hard work is more work, I commit to continue working tirelessly to promote and advance the
cause of theatre and film arts in Nigeria’’ the ED said.

The Fellow of Theatre Profession award is the highest honor bestowed by NANTAP, recognizing
individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, creativity, and commitment to the
advancement of theatre arts in Nigeria. Those who were inducted into the body of fellows of
NANTAP alongside the NFVCB ED include Joke Silva Jacobs, Sam Uche- Anyamele and
Bolanle Austen-Peters.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Alleged ₦1.3bn Fraud: EFCC Arraigns P-Square’s Ex-Manager Jude Okoye… Remanded In Ikoyi Correctional Facility!

Published

6 days ago

on

February 26, 2025

By

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Jude Okoye, the elder brother and former manager of Paul and Peter Okoye of the defunct music group, P-Square, on charges of laundering ₦1.38billion, $ 1 million and £34,537.59.

Jude was arraigned alongside his company, Northside Music Ltd, before Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court, Lagos, on a seven-count charge

One of the counts read: “That you, Jude Okoye Chigozie and Northside Music Ltd sometime in 2022, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did directly acquire a landed property known as No 5, Tony Eromosele Street Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos worth ₦850,000,000.00 (Eight hundred and fifty million naira) only, which money you knew or reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful act and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 (2) (d) and punishable under Section 18 (3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”

Another count read: “That you, Jude Okoye Chigozie and Northside Music Ltd sometime in 2022, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did indirectly using bureau de change convert the sum of $1,019,762.87 (One million nineteen thousand, seven hundred and six-two dollars eighty-seven cents), domiciled in Access Bank Plc operated by Northside Music Lid to the naira equivalent and remitted into various bank accounts with the intention of concealing that the said fund form part of the proceeds of an unlawful act and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 (2)(a) and punishable under Section 18 (3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”

He pleaded “not guilty” to the charges.

In view of his plea, the prosecution counsel, Larry Peters Aso, applied for a date for hearing as well as for the remand of the defendant in the correctional facility pending trial.

The defendant’s counsel, Inibehe Effiong, informed the court of a pending bail application. He asked for a short date for the hearing. Effiong also asked that the defendant be remanded in the EFCC’s custody pending the hearing of the application.

Aso objected to the request for the defendant to be remanded in the EFCC custody. He argued that the EFCC custody was already congested with suspects awaiting arraignment. He urged the court to remand the defendant to the correctional facility since he had taken his plea.

Justice Owoeye adjourned the matter till February 28 for bail hearing and April 14 for trial.

He also ordered that the defendant be remanded in the Ikoyi correctional facility.

Continue Reading

Trending