Obasanjo pledges support for third AFRIMA

As part of the activities towards the 2016 edition of All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), African Union Commission (AUC) and The International Committee of AFRIMA paid a courtesy visit to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, recently at his residence in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.
Commending AFRIMA and AUC for unifying Africa through music, Obasanjo said music was part of African culture and reiterated the need for music and culture to be commercialised in order to create jobs and reduce poverty among African youths. He implored AFRIMA and AUC not to relent in achieving their objectives and called on brands and governments in Africa to partner with AFRIMA. He recalled similar projects under him as head of state like All African Games (COJA 2003) and Festival of Art and Culture in Africa (FESTAC ‘77) as platforms for promoting African culture and unity that require huge resources to organise.
He thanked AFRIMA for honouring him with their visit and challenged the AFRIMA Executive Producer to a squash game thereafter.
Earlier in his opening remark, the President and Executive Producer of AFRIMA, Mike Dada, said: “The meeting and visit was in recognition of the former president as the former Chairperson of the African Union between July 2004 and January 2006. He is an African global icon, a cultural enthusiast and champion of African renaissance.”
Obasanjo was intimated of AFRIMA objectives, which is mainly to unite Africans through the instrumentality of art, music, culture and entertainment as well as promote and reward up-and-coming and established talents on the continent.
Said he: “AFRIMA remains steadfast to the AUC’s values of promoting African unity and celebrating cultural uniqueness.”
He thanked the former president for receiving the AFRIMA team at his residence and specially invited him to the 2016 AFRIMA scheduled to hold in November.
A giant photo frame for his 79 birthday and Djembe drum were presented to the former president by the AFRIMA Director of Sponsorship and Communications, Matlou Tsotsesi, with the support of the AFRIMA 2015 winner of Best RnB & Soul in Africa, Praiz; and Communication Manager, ONE Campaign Africa, Nde Nfodinka (Wax Dey).
For the 2016 edition of the continental awards tagged AFRIMA 3.0, The AFRIMA 2016 calendar will be formally unveiled in May by the AUC and International Committee of AFRIMA at the 10th anniversary celebration of the African Union Youth Charter.