NEWS: "AFRICA MUST LOOK INWARD TO MOVE FORWARD"-UTANG AKWA IBOM SPEAKS ON NIGERIAN ENTERTAINMENT CONFERENCE 2022


 "AFRICA MUST LOOK INWARD TO MOVE FORWARD"-UTANG AKWA IBOM SPEAKS ON NIGERIAN ENTERTAINMENT CONFERENCE 2022


This year’s edition of NECLive, one of Africa’s biggest and longest running gatherings of entertainment and creative industry professionals returns in-person on Friday, April 29, 2022 for the first time in three years, as a hybrid event.


It is a great pleasure to see Nigerian - African entertainment industry stakeholders converge again in Post-Covid, after the last edition of the Nigerian Entertainment Conference (NEC) held here in Lagos in 2019. This indeed gives hope to us the practicioners, to investors and the upcoming talents eyeing or nursing a career in the vibrant industry. 



The conference features live performances by entertainers from across Africa, and will also include product unveilings, brand announcements and industry tributes. NECLive9 explores how African creatives and entertainers can use digital media and technology tools to build sustainable economic power for themselves, the industry, and their nations. The event will curate conversations and discussions focused on the cross-border opportunities available to Africa’s entertainment industry through the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) when it becomes fully operational, as well as global opportunities available within diaspora communities.


I must say that the theme of the Nigerian Entertainment Conference 2022 'Sustaining the Africa Momentum' is carefully thought out. In the past years/decade, the world has began to look inward to Africa, the reason for this not far fetched from our rich culture and talents, no gain saying why our music genre 'Afro Beat' is topping the charts and our African/Nigerian talents getting recognition from world music authorities like Grammy. 


Alot has happened since we last met as a family, for us in Akwa Ibom State, ours has been a story of bountiful harvest, just as investors throng the state to take full advantage of the opportunities and serenity, our talents have been engaged in a lot of productions and productive ventures. 


Everyweek, simultaneously, movie producers are at different locations in the state making magic, with the resultant effect hitting directly on the people and the local economy. The likes of Emem Isong, Mike Ezuruonye and Sedater Saviour have made Akwa Ibom their home and hub for movie productions, owing to the infrastructure, beautiful locations, availability of talents and massive technical support from Akwa Ibom State Government. 


Also recently, Yankee Entertainment, franchise owners of the revered 'Nite of a Thousand Laughs' brand chose Uyo to host the comedy show last Easter. Take a look at the annual Ibom Christmas Celebration which holds in Uyo for 32-days every December, the Ibom Entertainment Week which made it's debut in 2021, or the maiden edition of Uyo Fashion Week on-going in the state as we speak. All of these are manifesting as a result of huge investment of the administration of Governor Udom Emmanuel in talents development and promotion of Akwa Ibom State as a brand and preferred destination for business & leisure. 


I dare say that if we must Sustain the Africa Momentum, then we must continually look inward. Now is the time for private investors and government to place more value and investment on talents. Raw talents. Just like raw materials, which we have in abundance for export in Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria as a whole. 


I want to use this occasion to call on the Nigerian government to see the entertainment industry as a saving grace, with the ultimate solution to curb the menaces and vices amongst the youths, who constitute the main population of the sector and the country. 


In light of the upcoming 2023 general elections in Nigeria, NECLive9 will also delve into the role of creatives and the entertainment industry in nation building, including how to use entertainment as a vehicle for driving social change on the continent.

This is moreso pertinent at a time like this, when the country is getting set to go to the polls to elect new leaders into various political offices. 


Now is the time for us to unravel the manifesto of those aspiring for elective offices, and what plan they have for entertainment industry. We must give relative attention to this industry, which is a viable means of employment creation and youth empowerment.


Taking the discussion further would be the quest for youth inclusiveness in the process of decision making, more of us, by this I mean youths and entertainers, must begin to aspire to lead, to bring the vigour of youthfulness on board for thorough development. 


Kudos to Ayeni Adekunle and his team as NECLive returns in-person with economic and social development through entertainment taking center stage. 


Let the conversations begin!


David Sergeant (Utang Akwa Ibom)

-Special Assistant to Governor of Akwa Ibom State on Entertainment Industry


#NECLive9

#IbomEntertainers

#AkwaIbomToTheWorld


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