Tuface, Davido, P-Square, Banky W, Sasha Battle For Telecom Music Ambassador Crown

THE prestigious Nigerian Telecom Awards now in its eights edition comes up next week Saturday, September 8, 2012, at the highbrow Incubator Event Centre, Yusuf Ali Way, Oniru, Victoria Island, Lagos. What began as the Nigerian Telecommunication Lecture (NITDEL) in 2005, has now crystalized as one of the foremost Telecom awards in this part of the world.

The avenue provided by NITDEL has been impressively utilized through the Telecom Awards, as it serves as the platform where past African heads of states, opinion leaders from different African countries converge to rub minds on various topical issues affecting the continent.

Interestingly, this year’s Telecom Awards is coming up with a most refreshing aspect. And this is the Telecom Music Ambassador Crown to be keenly contested for by some leading Nigerian music stars, who are equally brand ambassadors to some leading telecommunication companies.

And battling for the crown for the Telecom Music Ambassador Category are the likes of multiple award-winning star, 2face Idibia, representing Airtel; New kid on the block, Davido, as the face of MTN; Sasha, the rap queen on the bills of Samsung; Banky W, the head honcho of EME Music Label and representing Etisalat; and the impressive music stars, P-Square, as the face of Globacom.

On the importance of this new category of the awards, Otunba Abiodun Ajiboye, organizer of the event and also publisher of Nigerian Telecom News weekly, Logica Communication Limited, recalled that the telecommunication companies have been playing very important roles in revitalizing the Nigerian music industry, through engaging the artistes in different exposure and representational capacities.

“That artistes now get massive endorsements deals, it all started with the telecom companies endorsing Nigerian artistes on mega buks deals, that have invariably impacted on their financial and career status, positively.”

Still on the need for the category, he also stated that the entertainment content and quality needed to be increased to ensure guests and participating companies get better value, as well as opening doors for more endorsements and better involvement by telecom companies in the entertainment industry.

And to ensure top-class entertainment on the night, rave-making artistes have been carefully chosen to perform and thrill guests. Performer on the night include ‘Gaga Crazy Crooner’, Chuddy K; Kennis music star Essence, and fast rising singer, Brymo from the stable of Chocolate City Music.

Beyond entertainment, however, guests and participants would not want to miss the opening event, which is the Nigerian Telecom Development Lecture, slated to hold on Friday, September 7, at the Lagoon Restaurant, Victoria Island, Lagos. Beginning from 10.00am, this year’s lecture will have two speakers, namely: Governor Abdul Fatah Ahmed of Kwara State, who is expected to speak on Democracy in Africa and impact of ICT in modern governance; and Mr Bashir Gwandu, Executive Commissioner of Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) who will speak on the topic: The Nigerian Telecom Market; Prospects and Dilemma.

Past speakers at the Nigerian Telecom Development Lecture includes; Professor Molefi Kete Asante (2007), Professor Wole Soyinka (2008), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (2008), Rev. Fr. Mathew Kukuah (2008); H.E. Donald Duke (2009); H.E. Babatunde Raji Fashola (2009); and Otunba Gbenga Daniel (2011).

The event has also been graciously chaired in the past by prominent sons of the continent, including , Dauda Jawara, former President of Gambia; General Abdulsalami Abubarka, Ft. J.J Rawlings of Ghana; Ambassador Shehu Malami; and Alhaji Bamanga Tukur. This year’s event, will be chaired by Namadi Sambo (GCON), Vice President Federal Republic of Nigeria to be ably supported by Dr. Mohammed Bello Haliru, former Defence Minister, as guest of honour; Miss Omobola Johnson as special guest of honour. Also on the honour list are Chief Alex Akinyele and Otunba Abiodun Ajiboye.

With the entertainment aspect of this event packaged by City People Magazine, with Telecom News, Classic FM and Ovation International Magazine as partners, well over 60 Nollywood celebrities would strut their stuff on the red carpet and live transmission would be on NTA2 Channel 5

The organisers, while recalling how it all started from obscurity in 2005, credited the events impressive achievements to consistency, organizational wizardry and the never-say-die attitude of the organisers. And as the award continues to wax stronger on all fronts, the performance of the invited artistes and the glitz, glamour and razzmatazz would surely leave guests and viewers awe-struck.