KORA''''s JOURNEY TO NIGERIA ...BATTLES, SUCCESS
In case you don''''t know, the stage was set for the coming to Nigeria of the biggest African music awards ceremony, KORA All Africa Music Awards, during the administration of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. The
event is scheduled to hold in December in Calabar, Cross River, popularly called Canaan Land.
At present, activities lined up to ensure a hitch-free event come December, began with the presentation of the
award plaque to the
Governor of Cross River State, Senator Liyel Imoke at the Government House, Calabar and the KORA Media Launch held at the International Conference Centre, Abuja last month. The move aimed at bringing KORA to Nigeria began when former Malian
President Omar Konari introduced the KORA president, Ernest Adjovi to Obasanjo at an AU meet.
Recognizing what KORA could do to the image of the
country especially under the Heart of Africa, image-laundering initiative, Chief Obasanjo embraced the idea and invited Adjovi to Abuja. The former President was enthusiastic that FESTAC 77 could be re-enacted with KORA. The award enjoys AU and NEPAD endorsement. However, after series of arrangements, the plan was aborted for various reasons ranging from accommodation and tight scheduled of the administration among others. It was billed to hold in Abuja.
Obasanjo did not give up. He invited Adjovi to Aso Rock again, this time, Alhaji Teju Kareem, chief executive officer, Zmirage and KORA representative in Nigeria, was invited along. Discussions once again reached an advanced stage, but were aborted due to electioneering process of 2007. Obasanjo had wanted Adjovi to organise KORA at CHOGM, the meeting of all heads of states in the Commonwealth, held in Nigeria in 2003. This was so because the award had become an avenue where deserving African leaders are honoured yearly With his acceptance to lead the 150 Nigerian delegates to KORA in 2005 (in Durban, Kuwazu-Natal, South Africa), Otunba Gbenga Daniel, governor of Ogun State, inadvertently set the tone for the coming of KORA to the country.
The trip elicited Nigeria''''s commitment, passion and political will to identify with KORA. After the trip, Zmirage, KORA''''s partners in the country, was able to reinforce its long-time argument that the continental event will have a successful footing in Nigeria. Aside sponsoring artistes such as Seyi Solagbade to the award ceremony, Daniel became the first Governor to host the KORA President, Teju Kareem and the KORA entourage to a grand official reception. The Ogun
State number one citizen''''s three minutes speech at KORA awards 2005 clearly paved way for the event to be held in Nigeria.
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