In deep appreciation of its socio-economic impact on young people and the continent, the African Union commission has reinstated its continuous support and commitment to the partnership with All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA at a strategic meeting held at the African Union headquarters, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia last week, Wednesday, February 12, 2020 after The 33rd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union.

In attendance at the strategic Meeting for the advancement of creative industry in Africa and preparation for AFRIMA 2020 were Commissioner for Social Affairs, African Union Commission, Her Excellency, Amira Mohammed Elfadil; Minister of Information and Culture, Nigeria, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; Director, Department of Social Affairs, AUC, Mme Cisse Mariama Mohamed; Head of Culture, AUC, Angela Martins; President/Executive Producer, AFRIMA, Mike Dada and Country Director-Designate, AFRIMA-Ethiopia, Eyob Alemayehu among others.

The Commissioner for Social Affairs in her remark expressed appreciation to the International Committee of AFRIMA for consistently striving towards achieving the shared objectives of an integrated, peaceful and prosperous Africa through the platform of AFRIMA. She also thanked the Nigerian government for always giving support to the successful hosting of the AFRIMA pan-African initiative. ''The African Union will continue to support and partner AFRIMA on this journey of leveraging the platform of music, art and culture to engage young people as well as unite and promote Africa positively to the world" she concluded.

The honorable Minister of Information and Culture of Nigeria could not hide his gratitude to the African Union for partnering the AFRIMA, a pan –African initiative with its root from Nigeria right from inception and urge the AU to continue to do more. 'The Nigerian government has been instrumental to the success of AFRIMA over the years by providing strategic partnership and institutional support'' The Minister affirmed.

On his part at the meeting, The President and Executive Producer of AFRIMA, Mr, Mike Dada, A Public Relations/Brand management Consultant and a lawyer, thanked the African Union and the Nigerian Government for their selfless support and partnership over the years. ''The planning and preparation for AFRIMA 2020 is in top gear and we are ready to wow and bring Africa together again in an atmosphere of love, unity, celebration and forward-thinking that will act as the growth engine for intra-Africa trade and development''.

Commissioner for Social Affairs, African Union Commission (AUC), Amira Mohammed Elfadil (left) and Minister of Information and Culture, Nigeria, Alhaji Lai Mohammed at a Strategic Meeting on Creative Industry and Preparation for AFRIMA 2020 held at the African Union Headquarters, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, recently.

Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed (Middle, left); Commissioner for Social Affairs, African Union Commission (AUC), Amira Mohammed Elfadil (Middle, right); Director, Social Affairs Commission, AUC, Mme Cisse Mariama Mohamed; Head, Culture Division, AUC, Angela Martins; President/Executive Producer, All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), Mike Dada; and Country Director Designate, AFRIMA-Ethiopia, Eyob Alemayehu at a Strategic Meeting on Creative Industry and Preparation for AFRIMA 2020 held at the African Union Headquarters, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, recently.

Meanwhile, Twelve Heads of State have committed themselves to play the role of leadership, advocacy and facilitation for Arts, Culture and Heritage in Africa at the 33rd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union and adopted a draft resolution that will be tabled with a view to declaring 2021 as the year of culture to develop creative industries as a generating economic development and outreach.

The AU Arts, Culture and Heritage was at its climax when His Excellency, President of Republic of Mali, Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta was designated as African Union Leader for Arts, Culture and Heritage with the establishment of a presidential-level structure of additional twelve African Heads of State; Presidents of Cape Verde, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Egypt, Ethiopia, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, and South Africa as a council of the peers to carry out his mission.

The All African Music Awards, AFRIMA in partnership with the African Union is in its 7th edition. AFRIMA is a youth-focused music property that celebrates Africa, recognizes and rewards the work and talents of myriad of African artists across generations. AFRIMA is committed to the stimulation of conversations among Africans and between Africa and the rest of the world about the potentials of the cultural and creative economy for real enterprise on the continent, contributing significantly to social cohesion and continental integration as well as sustainable economic growth and development in Africa by lending its voice to promotion of education and campaign against extreme poverty and preventable diseases. AFRIMA is broadcast to over 84 countries around the world as the 6th edition last year was sponsored by Ecobank, MTN, Coca-Cola and DAAR Communications PLC.