Ahead of AMAA 2011, Osuala unveils Experience Bayelsa

Bayelsa  State Commissioner for Finance and Budget, Mr. Charles Osuala on behalf of the state government on Friday, February 18,  unveiled a week-long celebration that will herald the 2011 edition of the Africa Movie Academy  Awards tagged ‘Experience Bayelsa With AMAA’’

Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, AMAA boss

The commissioner said the state policy on Tourism is geared towards creating an economy around the huge tourism and creative talents of the youths that abound in the state.

“As the manager of the state economy it is our vision to make tourism and entertainment major pillars of our economic development and we are making this year’s AMAA award one that will give the people our Bayelsa a new experience through popular participation at all levels.

While reeling out the activities that have been lined up for the week long celebration, AMAA Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Peace Anyiam-Osigwe said visitors  coming to Bayelsa this year will have a new experience with the people and the sights and sounds of Bayelsa as visitors will explore Bayelsa in its glory and beauty for a whole week.

She noted that the economy of the stated will witness a boost as visitors will spend money to patronize local goods and services because ‘Experience Bayelsa with AMAA 2011’ as a platform for destination branding will resonate with the citizens of the state as the organization partners with the state Tourism Development and Publicity Bureau to positively project the state to the outside world.

“As a prelude to the celebration, the Africa Film Academy being the AMAA brand owner in collaboration with the state government has began the training of 50 Bayelsa youths in various aspects of film production.. Another activity expected to run for two weeks before the main event is called Kinabuti.

This is targeted at rural based girls with potentials and qualities to be super models. About 50 of them would be pre-selected to undergo various stages of grooming and the best among them will model for renowned fashion outfits.”

Anyiam-Osigwe also revealed that ‘Bayelsa 8’ a talent-hunt show will be part of  the Experience Bayelsa 2011 and that will take-off with 500 youths with interest in entertainment-film, music, comedy etc while an Art and craft fair will hold simultaneously to promote the  work of local art and craft men and women. “The craft fair will encourage local craftsmen, painters, sculptors to makemoney from their craft as the over 1000 foreign guests expected during the event will patronize them for memorabilia,” she enthused.

Experience Bayelsa with AMAA according to Anyiam-Osigwe was planned to create avast network of socio-economic activities that will stimulate the local economy,  adding that all these will climax with a night of glitz and glamour on Saturday 27th of March with the AMAA awards.

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