Why 2017 AMA Awards will be the best in history – Lagos

The Lagos state government has said it intends to make the 2017 Africa Movie Academy Awards the best in history.

Steve Ayorinde, the commissioner for information and strategy, made the statement at the AMAA 2017 Sponsors’ Night, held in Lagos.

“We are very happy that AMAA is holding this year in Lagos and for the first time in its 13 years history Lagos is hosting it officially. We are ready to host the best AMA Awards,” said Ayorinde who represented governor Akinwumi Ambode.

“We are using this Sponsors’ Night event to call on businesses and corporate Nigeria to come on board and support the awards through sponsorship and I am glad that the various marketing and branding opportunities which AMAA offers sponsors have been unveiled to us.

“We call on companies to buy into this and support this very successful continental award. Let me also state that we have in Lagos, a Governor who is committed to the development of the creative sector of our economy.

“We are particularly happy about the synergy that AMAA has brought between Lagos and Rwanda. Lagos can learn from Rwanda and there is what Rwanda can learn from Lagos too. In terms of environmental services and cleanliness Lagos can learn from Rwanda because Kigali has been rated as the third most clean city in the world. Lagos will be with the organisers of the awards every step of the way,” the commissioner said.

The nominees for the awards will be announced at a gala night in Kigali, Rwanda, from May 13-15.

Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, founder of AMAA, revealed that American film studio, Disney, submitted four films for AMAA consideration.

“AMAA has the appeal and reach with over 680 films from all over African countries and Diaspora submitted for this year’s edition,” she said.

“Disney Studio in America submitted 4 films for consideration of AMAA this year and we are very happy about this and this goes to confirm the respect and acceptability of AMAA as the most credible awards for motion picture in Africa.

“We want more corporate support for AMAA and not only AMAA.but for the entire creative industry in Nigeria and Africa. In the days ahead we will be knocking on your doors with our sponsorship proposal.”

The award ceremony is scheduled to hold on June 18.