The United
States Ambassador to Nigeria, W. Stuart Symington and Consul General F. John
Bray has met with key stakeholders in Nigeria’s entertainment industry.
Organised
by leading talent agency, Temple Management Company (TMC), the event held on
Saturday, June 17 at the US Consul-General’s private residence inIkoyi, Lagos.
Some of the
highlights of the event includes a spectacular performance by ex-MTN Project
Fame winner, Jeff Akoh, accompanied by an acoustic band.
Creative minds in attendance mingling with US officials
included actress Joke Silva, Eddie Lawani, musician Ade Bantu, BBN runner-up
Bisola, actor OC Ukejie, rappers Falz and Phyno, actresses
OmotolaJalade-Ekeinde, RukkySanda and Yinka Davis, playwright (Heartbeat) and
screenwriter (The Wedding Party) TosinOtudeko, singers Iyanya,
Darey Art-Alade, Jeff Akoh and Sound Sultan, Comedian Bovi; beauty
entrepreneur, Lola OJ, screen darlings Mimi Onalaja and BolanleOlukanniand
several from the visual arts community, Logor and Tennis sensation, MaryLove
Edwards was also in attendance.
Speaking at the event, the US Ambassador urged the creative
sector to tell stories that put Africa in a positive light.He pointed out that
intellectual property, not oil, not gas was the true strength of our people.
"I have
travelled the length and breadth of this great country, from Maiduguri to
Lagos, from Kebbi to Calabar, and there are fantastic stories to tell,"
Ambassador Symington said. "You are all in a unique position to carry the torch
for this continent."
Temple
Management CEO, Idris Olorunnimbe, gave a vote of thanks in which he acknowledged
the US Consul General’s foresight in recognising the increasingly influential
role of the burgeoning creative sector.
"This has
been a fruitful evening,” Olorunnimbe said. “Many of the Ambassador’s words
foreshadowed the reasons why Temple was set up in the first place. We simply
have to tell our own stories.”
Young artist, Fola David, renowned for his speed painting
skill, created an illustration of the famed Lagos statue of the “Three Wise
Men,” popularly referred to as ‘Ere Meta.’ Attendant guests were transfixed on
the canvas as the artist crafted his latest piece – upside down!
The Temple
Management Company later presented the portrait to the US Ambassador on behalf
of the creative community.
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