By Tope Ajayi
Published March 5, 2013

The 9th edition of the annual Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) that celebrate and honour films, filmmakers and other professionals in the audiovisual media sector across Africa and the Diaspora shall be held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria, on April 14, 2013.

A joint statement signed by Ebizi Ndiomu-Brown, the Director General of Bayelsa State Tourism Development Agency, and Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, the Chief Executive Officer of Africa Film Academy that organises AMAA, says the state government, that has hosted seven previous editions of AMAA,  is determined to partner with the awards promoters to deliver a new and exciting experience to Nigerian and international visitors that will attend the awards.

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“The story of AMAA and Bayelsa has been a story of partnership for socio-economic development of our state and people. We want to continue in this way. The Governor of this state, His Excellency Seriake Dickson, is poised to ensure that all visitors to Bayelsa for AMAA will see a new Bayelsa where he is leading a team of committed public servants to revamp the economy of the state through massive investment in infrastructure and other social amenities,” said Ndiomu-Brown. “Visitors to Bayelsa will see the progress the state is making under the leadership of Governor Dickson and the role we are playing at the level of Bayelsa State Tourism Development Agency in making sure the state becomes a destination of choice in terms of leisure and doing business. Filmmakers will also see suitable locations in Bayelsa for their films.”

Though AMAA took place in the Nigerian commercial capital of Lagos in 2012, said Anyiam-Osigwe, Bayelsa was still part of it.

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“We are happy to be going back to our home this year. Bayelsa has always been part of AMAA and our story can never be complete without this great state that has supported our efforts in the last eight years. AMAA 2013 in Bayelsa will be a great event to bring filmmakers from across the world together for networking and co-production opportunities;  we are working with the Bayelsa Tourism Development Agency to make sure we deliver a good experiences to all our guests,” Anyiam-Osigwe noted.