The highly anticipated Nigerian Electronic Media Content Exhibition and Award (NEMCEA) 2023 edition had come and gone with so much discourse, issues and perspectives raised during the three days event. The event took place at the prestigious Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos between 22nd – 24th, August, 2023.
Just like the maiden edition, Day 1 and Day 2 were mainly for the Opening Ceremony, Conferences/Panel Sessions, Featured Sessions/Workshops and Exhibition and showcase of the best of Nigerian Content and programmes from TV, Radio and Online space.
The Day 3 was a night set aside to reward excellence on content creation and production from Nigeria. Indeed, it was a night of glitz, glamour and excellence.
In the welcome speech of the President of Electronic Media Content Owners Association of Nigeria (EMCOAN), Mrs.Jibe Ologeh who was represented by the Vice- President, Theophilus Akatugba, she said ” NEMCEA is a three pronged event consisting of Content Exhibition, Conferences and Awards, hence, having started last year, it was imperative to go ahead with the annual event to continue to add value to the Industry” she averred.
In the word of the Project Director of NEMCEA 2023, Alayande Stephen T., he said ” One of our theme for this year is to take a look at The Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how it has come to stay as part of our lives as human being, how do we then tap into such for our businesses and maximize the global revolution” he submitted.
However, on the part of the Special Guest Of Honour, Rt.Hon. Bldr. Francis,Ogbonna Nwifuru, (FNIOB, FCAI, GGCEHF), Governor, Ebonyi State who was represented by Hon. Commissioner of ICT, Ebonyi State, Comrade Tochukwu Uzoh, he reiterated the importance and the role of the media and the Content Owners in the present day of our lives. He said ” today as we witness the rapid growth and revolution of the electronic media landscape, it is crucial for us to appreciate the tremendous efforts and contributions of media professionals, content creators, broadcasters and technology innovators who are at the fore front of this transformative journey” he submitted.
After the Opening Ceremony, the event was declared opened and Guests and stakeholders were led to the Exhibition ground by the Project Director who introduced all the Exhibitors. Some of the Industry leaders in attendance were Alhaji Adedayo Thomas- the Executive Director, National Film And Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Director General (DG), Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Mr. Salihu Abdul-Hamid Dembos who was represented by Tunji Adekoya – General Manager, (NTA 10, Lagos), DG, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Malam Balarabe Shehu Ilela who was represented by the Lagos NBC Zonal Director, Mr. Raphael Akpan, Mr. Osamede Uwubanwmen, President of Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN), Dr. Victor Okhai, President, Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN), Dozie Okafor, Vice President of Media Independent Practitioners Association of Nigeria (MIPAN), Veteran Actor/Producer High Chief Emeka Ossai (Member, BOT, EMCOAN) etc. Joining the Industry leaders as part of the Panelists and Discussants that did justice to different topical issues were Somnath Malakar (CEO, Zee Entertainment, Sub-Saharan Africa & Indian Oceans Island), Shileola Ibironke (MD/CEO, Macromedia Group of Companies, Maryam Apaokagi- Greene a.k.a Taaooma (Content creator/Brand Influencer), Ayobami Olugbenga-Wyse (Content Creator, Top Radio 90.9/Performace Expert), Ehi Ohiani (GM, Click Naija Radio, Abuja), Peter Armand-Boyo (Producer/Content Creator), Kingsley Omoefe (MD, Golden Heritage Ltd), Omooba Deji Irawo (MD, Basilia International Communications) etc
Day 1 never ended without the Evening event titled NEMCEA 2023 Sponsors/Stakeholders Dinner powered by Ebonyi State Government and ADRON Homes.
Comrade Tochukwu Uzoh Commissioner for ICT Ebonyi State represented the Governor at the Dinner where networking, connection and business opportunities were the central focal of the nite. During the Dinner, ADRON Homes represented by Mrs. Comfort Ogundele ( Director, Public Affairs, ADRON Homes) made a powerful presentation to the Ebonyi State delegation and the Stakeholders in attendance.
The most important activities on Day 2 included but not limited to the keynote address to kickstart the Day by the DG, NBC who was represented by the NBC Zonal Director, Lagos in person of Mr. Raphael Akpan. He spoke glowing about the NEMCEA Initiative and the efforts of EMCOAN as an Association. He reiterated NBC Support for the NEMCEA Project beyond the 2023 edition. He spoke on the importance of the need for quality Content Production and the need for us to continue to grow as an Industry. Also, ADRON Homes had a Feature session on the importance of Content Producers to plan for the future and own their own homes. The session was handled by ADRON Homes Director, Public Affairs, Mrs. Comfort Ogundele. Aside different Panel Sessions that took place with different panelists bringing their A game, another featured session for NBC came up where Mrs. Frances Ben-Agande spoke and made a presentation about NBC organised AFRICAST 2023 in October, Lagos. She invited producers,and stakeholders to register for the event. The last and the longest session of the Day titled “EMCOAN Content Exchange Forum – A strategic tool to sharing cultural and national value, business expansion and possible collaboration/co-production” was an eye opener. The panelists were High Chief Emeka Ossai (MD, Golden Pyramid Productions), Mr. Theophilus Akatugba (MD, Ovueta Nigeria Limited), Alhaja Amina Mohammad (CEO, Aims Media Company Ltd.), Mrs. Frances Ben-Agande(NBC Public Affairs) and Ehizogie Ohiani (General Manager, Click Naija Radio). After all the Panel Sessions, NEMCEA Creative Academy was launched with pictures of the students and young Content creators in attendance with members of EMCOAN.
The 3rd day which was the Award nite came with it’s own glamour and effect with the keynote address given by a veteran actor/Lecturer, Creative Art, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Dr. Tunji Sotimirin who charged the stakeholders to increase their standard of production to be able to meet up with the unique podium and criteria set by NEMCEA “The Awards” yearly. He congratulated all the Nomineees and wish them well. In the word of the Chairman of the JURY for the Award, Francis Onwochie he said ” Awards and reward system globally help to inspire output. Most of the awards this year are competitive, some are non-competitive, and so internally administered” he submitted.
NEMCEA 2023 is organized by Electronic Media Content Owners Association of Nigeria (EMCOAN) and proudly supported by Zee World, Creative Nigeria Summit (CNS), Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), ADRON Homes, Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), The Nollywood Reporters, RAVE TV, Tolaram Group etc.
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