4th edition of PMFA awards incorporated into 2017 Calabar Christmas Festival

The Government of Cross River State have officially incorporated Paradise Music Festival & Awards (PMFA) into the lists of events and activities that would enjoy the seal of the annual Calabar Christmas festival.

Organizers of the Paradise Music Festival & Awards (PMFA) disclosed that this year’s edition will be the 4th edition and they are happy to announce that Cross River State government through a letter from the State’s Ministry of Culture & Tourism as well as a commendation from the Special Adviser Event Management in the Governor’s Office have endorsed PMFA and incorporated it into the Calabar Christmas Festival.

The progenitor and convener of PMFA, Effiom Trombone disclosed that the 4th edition of the PMFA award ceremony, which was initially scheduled for October has to be rescheduled for December 1st to 3rd following its adoption by the state government.

Effiom, a musician and former Chairman of Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria in Cross River state noted that Paradise Music Festival and Awards initiative has evolved over time with the expectations and demands in the creative industry, mostly the music performing artistes, producers and stakeholders and over the years this has sustained the core essence of the award, which is the creation of an enabling environment for music talent discovery and celebration of musical inventiveness and creative ingenuity.

“From the records, the first three (3) editions have successfully recognized merits, honored over sixty (60) individuals and have successfully engaged other performing artistes under renowned music record labels”, he maintained.

He also quoted parts of the separate letters from Cross River State Commissioner for Culture & Tourism, Eric Anderson and the Special Adviser, Governor’s Office, Kenneth Aklah both of whom commended the private sector driven efforts of Effiom Trombone and his South Central Communications team for hosting three editions of the annual event, “hence the need for the state government to throw their weight behind it and make it one of the events which will not only attract investors and visitors to the state, but also to encourage the redirection of youthful energy positively.”

This year’s edition of PMFA is seen as a beyond border initiative to use music as an amplifier to broadcast cultural diplomacy, strengthen cordiality, promote unity and re-position the music industry in the two sister states, Akwa Ibom and Cross River state.

Some of the performing stars expected include music exponent, Iyanya who will lead other top acts like Monkals, Mista Xto, Anne Cedric, Big Daddy and Pasto Goody Goody to headline performances at the award ceremony.

“A special appearance by the entertainment loving Executive Governor of the state, Senator Ben Ayade, who sees the event as a way of empowering talented youths in the state and creating job opportunities in the creative sector is also expected,” they concluded.