By Khalifa Hemed
Published March 31, 2017
The 13th annual Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) shall be held at the National Arts Theatre in Lagos on June 11, 2017.
Akinwumi Ambode, the Governor of Lagos State, accepted to play host to AMAA during a courtesy call by the leadership of AMAA to his office in Ikeja area of Nigeria’s  commercial capital.
Ambode noted that AMAA coming to Lagos at the point when the state is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
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Saying that Lagos would turn 50 by May 27, the Governor said that the hosting of AMAA would add more glamour to the celebration of the State’s Golden Jubilee and showcase its hospitality to the continent and the world at large.
Governor Ambode said his administration is focusing on the creative industry on the firm belief that it represents a new opportunity for economic development and unleashing the potential of youth. “I am fully committed to breaking the barriers weighing down the industry from thriving, ” he said at Lagos House in Ikeja where he received the AMAA delegation.
Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, the founder and president of AMAA, expressed her joy and appreciation to the governor and the government of Lagos State for accepting to be the host state. She said AMAA is looking for “a strategic relationship with the state that will promote the entire creative industry as a major contributor to the economy of the state and the nation’s Gross Domestic Product.”
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“It is amazing to have a Governor in Lagos State who supports and invests in the creative sector of our economy. That entertainment and tourism are integral to Lagos State Government’s policy to create employment and opportunities for youths is very gratifying. My team and I are humbled and very much grateful for the honour to have Lagos as our official host State for AMAA 2017. We will work with Lagos State to deliver a great experience,” Anyiam-Osigwe said.
Anyiam-Osigwe said the 2017 AMAA ceremony would feature films from 72 countries with more than 23000 guests from across the African continent vying for various awards.
More than 400 films from around the world–Africa, North America, South America and Europe–have been submitted to 13th AMAA. Those that get nominated to the 28 categories of the awards shall be unveiled in the Rwandan capital, Kigali, on April 22, 2017.
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Habib Aruna, Chief Press Secretary to the Government of Lagos State, says AMAA will boost the tourism potential of Lagos. Consequently, the state is revamping the National Arts Theatre in Iganmu to ‘world class standard’in time for the 2017 AMAA ceremony in June.
