Organisers of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) have explained that concerns over Ebola and the Boko Haram insurgency are responsible for the postponement of the event originally scheduled to hold in Lagos on November 9.
A message to AFRIMA guests signed by Project Director, Adenrele Niyi, on Thursday explained that a major continental sponsor of the festival was unable to conclude its commitment by the deadline required to deliver on the world-class event because of those two factors.
“Despite the fact that Nigeria has been certified Ebola free by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the sponsor stated concerns over the increasing scourge of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in some West African countries from where nominees, awardees and guests are expected and the yet-to-be-resolved insurgency in Northern Nigeria,” as reasons for not fulfilling its commitment, the statement explained.
In spite of the development, the International Committee of AFRIMA is said to be committed to delivering a world-class event at a later date.
Some modifications have also been announced.
According to organisers, the public and AFRIMA Academy voting on the AFRIMA website www.afrima.org has been extended by three weeks. It will now end on Tuesday, November 25, giving music fans more time to vote for their favourite artistes.
AFRIMA International Advisor, Mr. Rikki Stein, described the postponement as “a wise, albeit painful, decision.”
He however assured that “the goals and aspirations of AFRIMA remain unchanged as well as the commitment of AFRIMA’s regional directors.
“This should not diminish the determination of the AFRIMA team to find a solution. It can only be a glittering, well produced event that can be the culmination of so much effort. Nothing less will suffice.”
Thanking music fans for their support to the actualisation of this continental award project, “the International Committee of AFRIMA sincerely apologises for any inconveniences this development may cause their partners and stakeholders across the world,” the AFRIMA message said.
Details about a new date will be announced as soon as they are available.
