Former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has highlighted the benefits of a united Africa through arts and culture.
Tinubu spoke at the second edition of the All Africa Music Awards held in Lagos on Sunday night.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Tinubu was honoured as a “Pillar of Arts and Culture” in Africa.
He said: “It is with very humble respect that I accept this honour on behalf of my country.
“It’s a gift for all the talents in Africa.
“Tonight is a night of culture, a night of Africa.
“It is a night of talent, a night that shows that we all belong to one single humanity.
“We had the situation some years back where artistes were not rewarded, but tonight, we are demonstrating to the rest of the world that culture, talent and artistry are unifiers.
“The unity of Africa is demonstrated here tonight.
“This is a great opportunity and demonstration that the young ones, the youth across Africa are our future and you can do more to unite us with culture around the world.
“We can walk out of poverty.
“We can defeat and break the shackles of ignorance and disease by recognising and promoting our talents.
“Each time you turn on the television and open your heart to the need of our youths, you will see the economic opportunity of these talented youths blossoming.
“In the last five years, the contributions of the youth and culture increased tremendously.
“The contributions from our artists are phenomenal now.”
Tinubu said AFRIMA had demonstrated the sense of cultural value that Africans could all appreciate and stressed the need to bring the challenges across Africa together to promote peace, wealth, unity and prosperity.
He added: “I believe you believe in what I believe.
“You share my values for African renaissance.
“It is not only the faces of shrinking ugly children infested by famine that is the face of Africa.
“We’ve seen the faces of talents here.
“If we work hard and forge together, we can bring Africa back with pride, talent and culture.
“We believe that Africa will continue to be great and will take its pride of place across the world and its talents and culture will be promoted.”
NAN reports that 32 major awards were handed out at AFRIMA 2015, with the young artiste, Diamond Platnumz of Tanzania, emerging the winner with three awards.
Platnumz won the African Artiste of the Year, Song of the Year and The Best Male Artiste in East Africa.
The Best Male Artist Central Africa was won by Stanley Enow of Cameroon, while Charlotte Dipanda also of Cameroon won The Best Female Central Africa and The Best Artiste in African Contemporary Music.
The Best Female Artist East Africa was Tsedenia of Ethiopia, Best Male Northern Africa was Ahmed Sultan of Morocco, while Manal, also from Morocco, was the Best Female Northern Africa.
Casper Nyovest of South Africa won the Best Male South Africa and Best Hip Hop Artiste in Africa, while Busiswa, also from South Africa, won the Best Female and AKA, Burna Boy, Da Les and JR won the Best African Collaboration.
The Best African Duo or Group and Producer of the Year went to Sauti Sol of Tanzania, Best Artist in African Rock was Mvula of Angola and the Best Artist in African Jazz was Kunle Ayo of Nigeria.
Olamide and Yemi Alade, both of Nigeria, won the Best Male and Best Female artistes in West Africa, while the Gangbe Brass Band of Benin was the Best Group in African Traditional Music.
Nigeria’s Kiss Daniel and Adekunle Gold won the Most Promising Act in Africa and Revelation of the Year respectively, while the Songwriter of the Year was Dr. Jose Chameleone of Uganda.
Oris Aigbokhaevbolo of Nigeria was the Entertainment Journalist of the Year, while Flavour was the Best Artiste in African Electro.
Darey won the Best Male Inspirational Artiste and Best Agna won the Best Female Inspirational Music.
The prize of Best Artist in African Pop went to Vanessa Mdee of Tanzania, the Best Music Video went to Wiyaala of Ghana, the Best Reggae, Ragga or Dancehall in Africa went to Stonebwoy from Ghana and the Best RnB and Soul was Praiz.
The iconic group, Ladysmith Black Mambazo of South Africa, received the Lifetime Achievement Award.
NAN.
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