Lagos is about to be lit again, as it hosts the 9th edition of the All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA. This is so 1,216 artistes, creatives and stakeholders converge for the award ceremony.
In attendance are AFRIMA President and Executive Producer, Jonny Baxter, British Deputy High Commissioner, and Bisi Onasanya, AFRIMA Patron, during the welcome ceremony that open the 9th AFRIMA award ceremony.
The welcome soiree was held at the Residence of the British Deputy High Commissioner, Ikoyi, Lagos, on Wednesday. During the welcome address the figure of artistes, creatives and stakeholders, 1216 were announced.
Also AFRIMA President and Executive Producer, Mike Dada, said that there’s massive turnout for this year’s AFRIMA, and it reflects the immense power and global pull of African music.
He said,
“This year’s AFRIMA has once again demonstrated the immense power and global pull of African music. As we speak, a total of 1,216 artistes, delegates, and members of our production team have arrived in Lagos. This number includes 732 artistes and managers, 301 delegates from across Africa and the diaspora, and 183 technical production professionals working tirelessly behind the scenes. You can imagine how that number can impact our economy, how much benefit Lagos’ tourism capacity demonstrates. It is huge for us and we are happy to work with the Lagos State Government and other partners to bring this benefit to our economy and our city.”
“First, music is a powerful tool for integration and inclusion. Second, it is a catalyst for peace, both across our continent and globally. And of course, music is a driver of economic growth within the creative industry.
For us, AFRIMA is about connecting people. We do not see colour. What we see is talent, whether you are white, black, blue, or green. What matters to us is the humanity that exists in all of us. That shared humanity is what has informed our partnerships and our purpose”.
Also the British Deputy High Commissioner, Jonny Baxter, commended the bond between the UK, Nigeria and Africa through music. He stated that African artistes are achieving success globally.
His words,
“Afrobeats is now dominating the charts in the UK and across the globe. It is extremely important for us that we continue to build our connection to music and other creative industries. The UK is committed to partnerships that bring mutual economic development.”