ABIA State boasts of a large numbers
of players in Nigeria’s entertainment industry.
It is against this backdrop that a
group of notable personalities has come up with idea to hold the first edition
of “Abia Creative Economy and Tourism Development Summit”, an event that was
hatched as part of activities marking the state’s 27th Anniversary.
Scheduled to hold on Friday, August
31, 2018 at the Banquet Hall of Four Point Hotel, Plot 9/10, Block 2, Oniru
Chieftaincy Estate, Victoria Island, Lagos, at 11am, Chairman, Project Team;
veteran Nollywood star Mr. Ejike Asiegbu said the Abia Creative Economy and
Tourism Development Summit” “was created for the unity and partnership of all
creative industry personalities of Abia State towards creating a forum for the
development of Abia Creative Economy and Tourism promotion. The vision is to
lay a solid foundation for the support and welfare of all Abia
Creative/Entertainment Personalities across the world.”
Chairman of the event is no other
person than Dr. Chima D. Anyaso, MD/CEO,Ceeson Energy Oil & Gas Limited and
Chairman Le Paris Continental Hotel, Lagos. The Governor of Abia
State, Dr. Victor Ikpeazu is Special Guest of Honour while the
commissioners for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Hon. Ogbonna Obioma as well as
Information, according to Asiegbu are being expected at the Summit.
The theme of this year’s event
Asiegbu revealed is; ‘Strengthening the Global Partnership for Abia Creative
Industry and Tourism Development’. “Like I said earlier on, the summit is
designed to create a platform for creative and intellectual interaction amongst
Abia intellectuals, Captains of Industries, Creative Industry Personalities,
the International Community and Representatives of Multinational Companies in
Nigeria on the “The Role of the Creative Industry and Tourism Promotion Towards
Abia Development’. The event focuses on discovering a narrative that all
constituencies can share, as we embark on the Abia creative industry business
and tourism developmental objectives of taking Abia to the world stage,” the
Nollywood star said.
Asiegbu listed some of the corporate
objectives of the summit as Connecting with Target Partners for Global
Acceptance for the Abia creative industry, Investment opportunities and Tourism
Potentials; Communicating Key Messages to potential local and foreign investors
using the faces of Abia Creative Industry personalities even as he gave an
insight on what the day will look like: “The event will also feature topics by
reputable Keynote Speakers, the unveiling of “Ada Abia Universe Beauty
Pageant” and a mini documentary of the works of Abia creative industry
personalities, investment opportunities and untapped tourism potentials in Abia
State.
“The Project Team is committed with
the responsibility to producing an action plan of recommendations and synergy
for partnership with major stakeholders, brands, groups and well-meaning
personalities for the establishment of modern day structures for Abia Creative
Industry and Tourism Development. The music and comedy concert will take place
after the summit (on the same day) at the O’jez Entertainment Arena, National
Stadium, Surulere Lagos at 7pm till dawn. I must add here that Barrister Mrs
Ngozi Nwangwa Head of Abia Tourism Board has
given some assurance that she and
officials of the board would be present at the two events that day.”
Ojez Entertainment, Culture TV
Concept and Forever Communications Limited are driving the idea with team
members comprising Admin/Event Director; Mr. Peterson Agu National Coordinator General Frank
Dallas, Director Media Alozie Alonzo Uzoukwu (Silverbird TV) , Director Presentation; Emeka
Enyiocha, Director Protocol Mathew Nwankwo, Liaison Gloria Mba and Lisa Onu
will be in charge of Welfare. Others include Kendra Okwara, Mercy Ndukwe, Saint
Maradona among others.
For the benefit of the doubt, some
Entertainment/Creative Industry personalities from Abia include;
Legendry highlife musician Bright Chimezie, Kanu Nwankwo, Ogbonna Kanu,
Ikechi Uko (Tourism Scion and Ambassador)
Bright Okpocha (Basket Mouth) Stephen
Okechukwu (Rugged Man)
Daddy Fresh, Gloria Anozie Young,
Bond Emereuwa, Madu Chikwendu, Diewaite Ikpechukwu, Ngozi Nwosu, Nkiru
Silvanus, Buchi the Gospel Singer, Chinedu Ikedieze (MFR) Emeka Enyiocha,
Mike Ezuruonye, Uche Jombo, Frank Dallas, Gloria Mba, Mathew Nwankwo( NTA),Chinere Nwabueze,Ngozi Nwosu, Chioma Toplist (Actress),Elder .O (Comedian), Uzo Okpechi (Producer/Director), Kedra Okwara, Saint Maradona, Don Onwuka, Nkiru Venessa Ugoala, Kingsley Ogbonna,Emma Ehumadu Totolus.
Enyinnaya Nwachukwu (GLOBACOM) Wisdom Nwankwo, Hope Obioma Opara
(President/Founder) Eko International Film Festival ,Temple Ugochukwu Ikeji,
Thelma Nwosu, Ugo Ugboh, Reginald Ebere, Uche Anyamele, Uche Elendu, Kalu
Ikeagwu, Lisa Onu, Vera Kanu, Blessing Asibe, Ijeoma Imoh, Nigga Raw, Emeka
Okoro , Ekubo Mike, Ukeje Iyke, Uche Nnanna, Mary Uche, Kalu Anya (Movie
Director), Ajebo the Comedian, Niga Raw, and Nnenna Nwabueze ‘MERIT’ of Living
in Bondage fame now Mrs Okonta , Alex Ekubo, Iyke Ogbonna, O. C. Ukeje, among
many others.
“We are expecting a lot of
corporate bodies such as Nigerian Breweries, British American Tobacco Company,
Viju Milk, Seven Up, banks, members of the National Assembly and State Assembly
from Abia, Abia Tourism Board, all eminent Abia sons and daughters such as Alex
Oti, Uche Ogah among many others. I want to state clearly here that this event
is non-political. We are not associated with any political body,” Asiegbu
submitted.
