TINUBU, A MADE IN NIGERIA PRODUCT THAT IS WORKING – AMBODE

Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Tuesday described the former Governor of the State and National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a great Nigerian political product and a successful leader who not only mentored many leaders in the country but laid the solid foundation for the sustained progress of the State.
Speaking at 9th Colloquium held at Eko Hotels & Suits in Lagos to mark Tinubu’s 65th birthday, Governor Ambode said the test of any successful leader all over the world was in the number of leaders such leaders created, and that using the said globally accepted parameter, Tinubu without doubt, is a winner.

Ambode likened Tinubu to a coconut blessed with divine task to be fruitful and useful to humanity, versatile, courageous, which could bear fruit for a long time.
“Like the coconut, some by-products/fruits will get bad along the way or after being sold in the market; in actual fact, the political product may not be the favourite of some other people.
“The bottom line, however, is simple.  If Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, were a coconut; I dare say, with all simplicity, I would be among the forefront liners that will eat, drink and sleep B.A.T. 24/7,” Ambode said.

While alluding to Tinubu’s contribution to the growth of the State, Governor Ambode said: “There is no doubt the Asiwaju political dynasty is a made in Nigeria product.  The foundation laid and blueprints developed during his tenure as Governor of Lagos State which cuts across all sections of the State’s economy have actually simplified the process of governance till date.
“His blueprint has continued to serve as a road map to achieving the Lagos of his and our dreams.  This same political product without doubt, traverses the Nigerian landscape and that is evident with the emergence of the APC at the centre in 2015. Asiwaju is a made in Nigeria product. We should make more products out of him,” the Governor said.

Besides, Governor Ambode described the theme of the Colloquium which is: “Make It In Nigeria: Use What We Make; Make What We Use,” as apt, adding that the partnership between Lagos and Kebbi States which culminated in the production of Lake Rice was an eloquent testimony of the ability of Nigeria to be a producing nation.
He, however, assured that his administration would continue to improve on indices of the ease of doing business to ensure that more products are made in Nigeria for the development and growth of our nation.

On his part, President Muhammadu Buhari described Tinubu as an outstanding politician, great mobilizer, effective in conceiving and planning governmental policies.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd right); his wife, Bolanle (right); the Celebrant, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (2nd left) and his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu; during the 9th Annual Bola Tinubu Colloquium with the theme Make It In Nigeria as part of activities marking Asiwaju’s 65th birthday at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Tuesday, March 28, 2017.

“Chief Bola Tinubu is an outstanding Yoruba politician of his generation,” he said.
Speaking on the economy, Buhari, who was represented by the Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau said that the Federal Government was already putting policies in place to encourage and facilitate Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to promote made in Nigeria goods, adding that same was part of his administration’s overall national economic policy.

In her remarks, Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun assured Nigerians that the country would soon be out of the economic recession, revealing that the Federal Government was already copying the Lagos template to revive the economy.
She said the Federal Government recently released N1trillion for capital expenditure to make the economy productive, adding that measures were being taken to bring about multiple streams of revenue.
“The economic template we copied from you (Lagos) is now being implemented for economic recovery of the country and we are not ashamed to say it. The impact of that template is that many of the states are now copying it especially in the area of IGR,” Adeosun said.
Also speaking, the celebrant (Tinubu) said it was time for the Federal Government to press forward with its national industrial policy and national infrastructural plan, especially by creating infrastructural funding from financial institutions.

Tinubu, who commended the present leadership of the country, also advocated the need to embrace other forms of power generation and incentives to bring back some of the manufacturing companies that hitherto left Nigeria due to unfriendly business environment.
Dignitaries at the event included Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo; former Vice President, Namadi Sambo, former and serving governors, Senators, politicians, entrepreneurs, among others.

Photo and additional report from: http://lagosstate.gov.ng.

BRITISH SINGER GEORGE MICHAEL LAID TO REST.

The singer George Michael has been laid to rest during a private ceremony with his family and close friends.

Late George Michael

In a statement released on Wednesday, his family thanked fans from across the world for their messages of love and support. The former Wham! star died in December last year  at the age of 53. His body was found by his former partner, hairdresser Fadi Fawaz at his home in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, on Christmas Day.The riverside cottage became a focus for fans' grief in the days after he died, as did his home in Highgate, north London
Michael  first came to fame in the 1980s as a member of Wham! alongside Andrew Ridgeley.

The pair's pop hits won them thousands of fans before Michael found solo success with hits including Faith and Careless Whisper.  He had a total of seven UK number one singles as a solo artist - including A Different Corner and Jesus to a Child - and the same number of chart-topping albums.
Michael also collaborated with artists including Aretha Franklin and Elton John

Born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou, but known professionally as George Michael, was an English singer, songwriter, record producer, and philanthropist who rose to fame as a member of the music duo Wham! He was best known for his work in the 1980s and 1990s, including hit singles such as "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" and "Last Christmas", and albums such as Faith and Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1.      
Photo:www,google.com

THE UK GOVERNMENT FORMALLY SERVES DIVORCE PAPERS ON THE EU.

Theresa May, the British Prime Minister, has confirmed that the UK had triggered Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, beginning a legal process that must end in two years' time with Britain leaving the EU.

Theresa May.  Photo:www.google.com

"This is an historic moment for which there can be no turning back. Britain is leaving the European Union," May told the House of Commons in London.   A few minutes earlier in Brussels, the British Permanent Representative to the EU, Sir Tim Barrow, delivered a six-page formal letter of notification to Donald Tusk, the President of the European Council, in Brussels.

"The Article 50 process is now under way, and in accordance with the British people, the United Kingdom is leaving the European Union," May said.

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ASIWAJU AHMED TINUBU,THE JAGABAN OF AFRICA.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu a.k.a. Asiwaju or Jagaban (born 29 March 1952) was elected Senator for the Lagos West constituency in Lagos State, Nigeria in 1993, just before a military take-over in December 1993. After the return to democracy, he was elected governor of Lagos State, holding office from 29 May 1999 to 29 May 2007. He is an influential member of the All Progressives Congress party; he also holds both the chieftaincies of the Asiwaju of Lagos and the Jagaban of the Borgu Kingdom in Niger State, Nigeria. He is often tagged the National Leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC) party with President Muhammadu Buhari.

This eloquent politician  attended St. John's Primary School, Aroloya, Lagos and Children's Home School in Ibadan. Tinubu went to the United States in 1975, where he studied first at Richard J. Daley College in Chicago, Illinois and then at Chicago State University. He graduated in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting.

Tinubu worked for American companies Arthur Andersen, Deloitte, Haskins, & Sells, and GTE Services Corporation. After returning to Nigeria in 1983 Bola Tinubu joined Mobil Oil Nigeria, and later becoming an Executive of the company.

His political career began in 1992, on the platform of the Social Democratic Party in the faction of the Peoples Front led by Shehu Musa Yar'Adua and other politicians in the faction such as Dapo Sarumi and Yomi Edu when he was elected to the Nigerian Senate representing the Lagos West constituency in the short-lived Nigerian Third Republic. After the results of the 12 June 1993 presidential elections were annulled, Tinubu became a founding member of the pro-democracy National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), which mobilized support for the restoration of democracy and recognition of the 12 June results. He went into exile in 1994 and returned to the country in 1998 after the death of military dictator Sani Abacha, which ushered in a transition to civilian rule.

In the run-up to the 1999 elections, Bola Tinubu was a protégé of Alliance for Democracy (AD) leaders Abraham Adesanya and Ayo Adebanjo.  He won the AD primaries for the Lagos State gubernatorial elections in competition with Funsho Williams and Wahab Dosunmu, a former Minister of Works and Housing. In April 1999, he stood for the position of Executive Governor of Lagos State on the AD ticket and was elected.

Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

When he assumed office in May 1999, Bola Ahmed Tinubu promised 10,000 housing units for the poor .During his eight-year period of office, he made large investments in education in the state. He also initiated new road construction, required to meet the needs of the fast-growing population of the state.

Tinubu, alongside a new deputy governor, Femi Pedro, won re-election to office as Governor in April 2003. All other states in the South West fell to the People's Democratic Party. He was involved in a struggle with the Federal government over whether Lagos State had the right to create new Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) to meet the needs of its large population. The controversy led to the Federal government seizing funds meant for local councils in the state. During the later part of his term in office, he was engaged in continuous clashes with PDP powers such as Adeseye Ogunlewe, a former Lagos State senator who became minister of works, and Bode George, southwest chairman of the PDP.

In March 2009 there were reports that a plot had been identified to kill Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. The Alliance for Democracy called on Inspector General Police, Mike Okiro to conduct a thorough investigation.

Following the victory by the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in the April 2007 elections, Bola Tinubu was active in negotiations to bring together the fragmented opposition parties into a "mega-party" capable of challenging the PDP in 2011.[23] In July 2009, he called for implementation of electoral reforms spelled out in the Uwais report to ensure that the 2011 elections would be as free and fair as the elections of 1993 had been.

 In December 2009 there were reports that Babatunde Fashola and Bola Tinubu had fallen out over the issue of whether Fashola should run for reelection in 2011, with Tinubu said to be supporting the Commissioner for Environment, Muiz Banire.

 Tinubu later bowed to pressure and supported Fashola's candidature which had been adjudged by the public as good. Another scuffle on the successor of Fashola put Tinubu against him in 2015. Fashola later relented and threw his full weight behind Akinwunmi Ambode, the then gubernatorial candidate of the APC who later succeeded him. The former senator  is regarded as the pillar of modern politic in Nigeria. Tinubu is married to Oluremi Tinubu, the current Senator representing Lagos central.

photo:www.Google.com

Credit :https://en.wikipedia.org

Thailand's Running of the Brides, Sirada Thamwanna is the winner.

Last Saturday, 250 couples gathered in Thailand to compete in the "Running of the Brides" to try and wins funds for their upcoming wedding. At the end of the more than two miles long race Sirada Thamwanna, emerged as the winner

Brides-to-be participate in the "Running of the Brides" race in a park in Bangkok

The 29 years old  received $28,000 dollars to go towards their wedding, she also received other prizes as well and other free wedding package, which includes a gown for the bride and suit for the groom, wedding bands, a honeymoon on the Thai resort island of Phuket and a trip to the Maldives. Photo/ www.google.com

In Kenya Copyright Society loses licence to collect royalties.

The Music Copyright Society of Kenya has lost the licence to collect music royalties.

Maurice Okoth, MCSK Boss.

This follows the decision by the board of directors of Kenya Copyright Board on Monday to approve the licensing of a new body, Music Publishers Association of Kenya Limited, to collect royalties on behalf of authors, composers and publishers from March 2017 to February 2018, effective immediately.

“The decision was made after the new association satisfied the requirements of Section 46 of the Copyright Act, 2001, and Regulation 15 and 16 of the Copyright Regulations 2004,” read a statement from Kecobo sent to newsrooms.

This means that the embattled MCSK will have to wait for a year to apply for the license. The organisation has been embroiled in controversy with artistes who accuse it of never remitting monies collected for years.

MCSK’s boss Maurice Okoth was suspended in March last year over corruption claims though he was later acquitted.

The copyright board revoked MCSK’s license in February after its officials failed to submit their audited financial statements and amounts paid in royalties to their members.

Photo:Google.com.
Credit www.nation.co.ke

Muziki Umeenda Shule’ initiative aims to promote upcoming musicians, says Ezekiel Kimani.

Shunned by mainstream radio and TV stations when he tried to get them to play his songs, gospel artiste Ezekiel Kimani, aka Zae De Kim, opted to start Muziki Umeenda Shule to help him, and others like himself, get airplay.

Ezekiel Kimani

“We take on artistes who promote messages of peace and moral uprightness,” he says.

 Soon after launching the initiative, he collaborated with upcoming musician Timam to produce two songs, “Refill” and ”Mbarikiwa”, which are currently riding high on gospel music charts. The Muziki Umeenda Shule initiative identifies and nurtures talent among the youth, who are then assisted to record their songs as well as promote them during public events.

“I realised that most young people are talented but usually give up when they realise they can’t raise funds to record their music,” says Mr Kimani.

The studio helps artistes record quality videos.“Usually, I insist on quality videos because for the music to find itself in a radio and or a TV station, you have to push for airplay through ensuring quality video,” he says.

All the production work is done in Nakuru. “Some upcoming artists rush to get the prominent producers to work on their music and some of them end up not giving you their best because for them, the artist is ‘just’ an upcoming musician.

“In my experience, an upcoming producer would give an upcoming artist more time as they are also trying to create a name for themselves. “.

Zae De Kim has performed in major shows, including the Groove tour, and has won awards that include the 2013 Rift Valley awards as the Artist of the Year, the 2015 Flamingo awards Gospel Artist of the Year, with the song “Mbarikiwa” scooping the Song of the Year award.

He says three key areas of focus that have kept his music at the top: content, video quality and consistency.

“You don’t have to do music as a full-time occupation, but if you put a little effort into it, it can change your life.”

Photo:Google.com. additional info:www.nation.co.ke/

Tanzanian rapper Ney wa Mitego regain freedom.

Ney wa  Mitego with some of his fans after his release on Monday.

At last the Tanzania government has ordered the release of a popular rapper , jailed over his song lyrics, insisting that President John Magufuli loves his music but advising him to include verses on tax fraud and drug use.

Emmanuel Elibariki, better known as Ney wa Mitego, was arrested Sunday over a song allegedly insulting the president, who is showing growing signs of authoritarianism.

But on Monday police said Elibariki had been freed on government orders.

"Yes, he is free on bail," Dar es Salaam police chief Simon Sirro told the local Mwananchi newspaper.

"Thanks to all those who have stood up, to support me, to support rights," the rapper said after his release. Elibariki is known for his political lyrics and his videos garner hundreds of thousands of YouTube views.

In a song released last week, he raps in Swahili: "Who are you now? Don't you want to listen to advice? Don't you want criticism?"

The song is widely seen as being aimed at Magufuli who swept to power as a no-nonsense, corruption-busting man of the people, but has since shown little patience for dissent or criticism.

Newly-installed information minister Harrison Mwakyembe said Magufuli had ordered the rapper's release and was in fact a fan of the song.

"This song, the president likes it very much and he asks that Nay wa Mitego be released and continue his activities," Mwakyembe said.

"But there is a need to improve the song by adding those guilty of tax fraud and drug users," the minister advised.

Magufuli also ordered the lifting of a radio and television ban on the song, imposed ahead of the rapper's arrest on Sunday.

Since his October 2015 election Magufuli has shut down newspapers, banned opposition rallies, switched off live broadcasts of parliamentary sessions and used a draconian "cybercrimes" law to jail critics.

Last week he issued his latest warning to the media after disapproving of the coverage of an incident involving one of his political allies.

"I want to tell media owners to be careful and watch it. If you think you have freedom... not to that extent," he said.

Additional info from: http://www.nation.co.ke

LAGOS TO CELEBRATES GOLDEN JUBILEE IN A BIG WAY.

The Lagos @ 50 Planning Committee on Monday unveiled range of activities for the final celebration of the State’s Golden Jubilee anniversary.Addressing a world press conference at the Banquet Hall in Lagos House, Ikeja, Co-chair of the Lagos @ 50 Planning Committee, Mr Habeeb Fasinro said the final lap of the celebration would kick off on Saturday, April 8 and culminate on Saturday, May 27, 2017.Fasinro, who was joined at the conference by other members of the Committee including Professor Ademola Abass, Hon. Adebimpe Akinsola, Mrs. Sarah Boulos, Mrs. Chika Balogun, said the events lined up for the celebration has been carefully selected to tell the story and journey from 1967 when the State was created till date.

R-L: Special Adviser, Office Of Overseas Affairs & Investment (Lagos Global), Prof. Ademola Abass; Co-Chairman, Lagos @ 50 Committee, Mr. Habeeb Fasinro; Acting Commissioner for Tourism, Arts & Culture, Mrs. Adebimpe Akinsola and member of the Committee, Mrs. Sarah Boulos during a World Press Conference on the Lagos @ 50 celebrations, at the Banquet Hall, Lagos House, Ikeja, on Monday.

He said the event would kick off on April 8, with a special Musical Play tagged “Wakaa” produced and directed by ace producer and director, Bolanle Austen-Peters at the Muson Centre, Onikan Lagos.

He said the celebration would continue on April 13 with a three-day Broadway Musical Concert tagged “FELA” that would feature the life and times and the Afrobeat creator, Fela Anikulapo Kuti and celebrate his pioneering music to be performed by a combined cast of the original Broadway production and the Royal National Theatre production under Bill T. Jones.

The Co-chair said a Boat Regatta parade would also hold on April 15 in Epe, Badagry and Lagos Island to showcase the State’s aquatic asset to residents and visitors alike, while a Jazz Meets Fashion event would take place on April 30 and would see Grammy award winning Jazz artistes share the stage with Nigerian musicians while the evolution of fashion in Lagos State over the past 50 years will also dominate the runway.

Fasinro said the celebration would continue on May 1 with a Special Workers’ Day celebration by both active and retired civil servants with a special parade in the morning at the Agege Stadium and a dinner in the evening, adding that on May 5, five of the highest box office films and five evergreen films would be screened to local audience in the five divisions of the State including Ikeja, Badagry, Ikorodu, Lagos Island and Epe.

He said a Lagos Carnival would also hold on May 13 in both the Island and Mainland zones of the State and extend to the different communities and ethnic groups in Lagos, while the Eyo Festival, last staged five years ago, would make a grand return on May 20 at the Tafawa Balewa Square.

He also said on May 24, all former Governors of the State will join Governor Akinwunmi Ambode in council for a Special State Executive Council Session, while the Judiciary and House of Assembly would hold same on May 18 and May 22 respectively.

He said among other events, the grand finale slated for May 27, which coincides with Children’s Day Celebration would feature a historic gala night that would have a rich blend of good music and the best of Lagos cuisine, photo exhibition and the unveiling of a special coffee table book that captures the essence of Lagos through the lens of 50 accomplished photographers.

He said though the 50-day celebration ends on May 27, the celebration of the State’s Golden Jubilee would continue beyond throughout the year with series of festivals and events to celebrate the State’s rich cultural heritage.

Fasinro also enjoined residents to key into the various events, adding that the anniversary is “a celebration of Lagosians, by Lagosians, for Lagosians”.

Earlier, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, said May 27, 2016 when the events flagged off, there had been series of events that had held on the 27^th of every month to mark Lagos @ 50.

Pic: courtesy: https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com

Meningitis Outbreak: Sokoto State May Close Schools As Death Toll increases.

Alh.Balarabe Kakale.

From the look of  things , the Sokoto State government is contemplating closing some public and private schools in the state, following the death toll as a result of meningitis outbreak which has killed 23 people in  State.

The Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Balarabe Kakale.

 made the confirmation during the ongoing sensitization campaign in Dange-Shuni Local Government Area of the state, he said government would have no other option than to close the schools temporarily if the problem persists.

He maintained that the present administration was determined to do what ever it takes to enhance the well being of the people.

"This is to save more lives of the people of the state, although the cases are reducing, while the people are now reporting the suspected cases to the health facilities.

He continues "We are hereby , calling on the people of the state that the cases of meningitis should not be linked to witchcraft or sorcery.

"Rather, all suspected cases should be reported to the hospitals as the state government had stocked adequate drugs and medicament for the free treatment of the patients," he concluded.

Cities With The Worst Quality Of life in The world,Lagos is no 20.

Every year Mercer, one of the world's largest HR consultancy firms, releases its quality of Living index , which looks at the cities that provide the best quality of life.
Business Insider has already looked at the 23 cities with the best quality of life.
Now we take a look at what cities are ranked as providing the worst quality of life.
The ranking is one of the most comprehensive of its kind and is carried out annually to help multinational companies and other employers to compensate employees fairly when placing them on international assignments, according to Mercer.
Looking at 450 cities across the world, Mercer takes into account the following metrics to judge which cities made the list for the best quality of life — which therefore shows what it feels are the best and worst:

• Political and social environment (political stability, crime, law enforcement)
• Economic environment (currency-exchange regulations, banking services)
• Socio-cultural environment (media availability and censorship, limitations on personal freedom)
• Medical and health considerations (medical supplies and services, infectious diseases, sewage, waste disposal, air pollution)
• Schools and education (standards and availability of international schools)
• Public services and transportation (electricity, water, public transportation, traffic congestion)
• Recreation (restaurants, theatres, cinemas, sports and leisure)
• Consumer goods (availability of food/daily consumption items, cars)
• Housing (rental housing, household appliances, furniture, maintenance services)
• Natural environment (climate, record of natural disasters).

About 17 African Countries make the list.

19. Abuja, Nigeria — The city, like Lagos, suffers from high crime rates from inter-communal violence. The British Foreign Office tells travellers: "You could get kidnapped or find yourself caught up in a terrorist or other violent incident."

20. Lagos, Nigeria — The country's largest city battles environmental threats, such as riptides, annually. Citizens are also under continual threats to their personal safety, including the kidnapping of students and murder.

Read more at:
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/cities-worst-quality-of-life-damascus-lagos-baghdad-a7631831.html

Fake chief superintendent of police arrested at Shitta in Surulere.

Fatai Owoseni , Lagos stste Commissioner Of Police.

Recently the Police in Lagos arrested a man for allegedly parading himself as a Chief Superintendent of Police. Lagos State Police spokesman, ASP Olarinde Famous-Cole, who confirmed the arrest, said the suspect was arrested on Thursday for terrorising the public in a CSP uniform in Surulere area.

Earlier in the week, the command operatives attached to Area ‘C’ Command, Surulere, arrested the suspect following reliable information.“The suspect over the years has been parading himself as a police officer and extorting money and other valuables from unsuspecting public. “The suspect was intercepted under the National Stadium Bridge, Surulere where he was about to resume his criminal activities.“On sighting the patrol team, the suspect took to his heels, but was given a hot chase that resulted to his arrest at Shitta Area of  Surulere.  “A walkie-talkie, a Lagos State Ministry of Transportation identity card bearing the name, Olayiwola Animashaun and his passport photograph, were found in his possession,” he said.

The spokesman said the suspect later led the detectives to his residence where exhibits, including a traffic taskforce reflective jacket, police statement forms, and a machete, were recovered from his house. Famous-Cole said the suspect confessed that he was a former staff of the Lagos State Government but currently without a job. He confessed to be operating mostly around Tejuosho, Ojuelegba and National Stadium areas,” the police spokesman said.

LAGOS IS READY TO HOST AMAA, SAYS GOV. AMBODE.

Veteran Actor Olu Jacobs,Joke Silver, Mrs Peace Anyiam-Osigwe (AMAA Founder)

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode,Doris Simon,Paul Obaze and others.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Thursday played host to officials of AMAA led by its President, Mrs. Peace Anyiam-Osigwe at the Lagos House, Ikeja, the governor expressed optimism that the plan to upgrade the National Theatre to world class standard would serve as a viable venue for the AMAA event when completed.
“I want to also say that I am very particular about the venue of the AMAA, so we would use everything possible to make sure that the National Arts Theatre is ready. We are in a process and before the month ends, we should have something to start doing within the first week of April to getting the whole place ready,” he said.

Alluding to the fact that Lagos would turn 50 by May 27, the Governor said that the hosting of the AMAA event in Lagos would add more glamour to the celebration of the State’s Golden Jubilee and showcase its hospitality to the continent and the world at large.
“This is a very historic moment for us in Lagos. 2017 we are celebrating the existence of Lagos for 50 years. If you look at the calendar, you would wonder in what ways and manner can we celebrate Lagos?

While officially accepting the hosting rights for AMAA 2017, Governor Ambode said the State would take advantage of the opportunity to boost its tourism mileage beyond Lagos @ 50.
“The whole essence is to grow the GDP of Lagos; it would bring people into Lagos, they would stay in our hotels, they would come watch the movies and then they would pay their taxes and eventually it’s a conglomerate of goods and services that would escalate our GDP,” the Governor said.

Earlier, President of AMAA, Mrs. Peace Anyiam-Osigwe commended the Governor for his interest in the creative industry, saying that it has given the sector a major boost in recent time.
“It’s amazing to have a Governor who is like a family that seems to understand what our needs are. We’ve never had a Governor of Lagos State who has shown so much deep interest in Nollywood,” she said
She said the 2017 AMAA ceremony, the 13^th in the series would feature films from 72 countries with over 23,000 guests from across the African continent vying for various awards.

The Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) is a subsidiary of the Africa Film Academy. The Academy, founded on the best film tradition is geared towards research, training and propagating filmmaking in Africa.
AMAA was established in 2005, aimed at facilitating the development and relevance of African film & cinema by providing a reward & recognition platform for film makers on the continent. The Africa Movie Academy Awards, popularly known as AMAA and The AMA Awards is the most prestigious award in Africa, showcasing and rewarding great talents in the film industry. It has since become the most - hungered after - event in African movie world.

AMAA is conceptualized as an annual celebration of the brightest and the best in African movie. It is about class and style, glitz and razzmatazz. The first award of its kind, it is the biggest gathering of movie makers across the African continent. AMAA has evolved from a one-day live televised event to an all-year-round engagement platform for filmmakers, industry professionals and their fans. Today, AMAA is most prestigious and glamorous entertainment industry event of its kind in Africa

Pic Credit: the nation.