‘Why Rivers Hosted AMAA’

The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has explained why the state government hosted the 12th edition of the Africa Movies Academy Awards (AMAA) in Port Harcourt last Saturday.
Speaking at the awards and presentation ceremony held at the Dr. Obi Wali Conference Centre in Port Harcourt, Wike, submitted that it was part of the plan to showcase the state tourism and investment potentials of the state.
Wike opined that as the oil capital of Nigeria, the state has enormous human and natural resources, hence, the need to accelerate economic and social activities to flourish by hosting international events of that sort.
This is why, he said, the state would host Nigerian Bar Association Conference (NBA), in  August, Magistrate Conference, Federal High Court Legal Week among other national events within the year.
He maintained that the hosting has both social and economic implications and “is a rare opportunity for Rivers State and Nigeria to showcase its talents in the movie industry.”
Aside that, the governor observed that the successful hosting of the event has shown that the state was safe a place to do business and enjoy leisure.
He assured that the state government is ready to partner with the academy to improve on the awards in the future and the entire film industry as a way to drive the economy of the state.
On her part, state Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mrs Tonye Onyiride said the awards marked an important milestone by the Wike administration to boost culture, arts and entertainment.
Under the present administration, she explained that government was doing everything to make the state become a tourism haven in line with the NEW Rivers Vision.
She declared that, “Rivers State is the choice for investment and tourism and that is why this administration is partnering with AMAA to transform the movie industry.”
Founder of AMAA, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe lauded Wike for the support to the body and for bringing the awards ceremony to Rivers State.
For her, the gesture has shown that Niger Delta was poised to be the centre for tourism development.
Anyiam-Osigwe paid tribute to former Bayelsa State Governor, late Diepriye Alamieyesiegha, whom she said, laid the foundation for AMAA 12 years ago.
Meanwhile, Minister of Information Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has reiterated the plan by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to check piracy and restructure the entertainment industry in the country.
Mohammed while declaring the 12 edition of AMAA open in Port Harcourt observed that the academy has over the years raised the standards in the movie industry.
He pledged the commitment of the federal government to assist practitioners in the industry in enhancing local content, and commended the Rivers State Government for hosting the 2016 awards.