First Bank of Nigeria
Limited announces its lead sponsorship of the movie titled ‘Ayinla’, which is
billed to premiere on Sunday, 13 June 2020.
The movie is
suspense-driven, narrating the life of Ayinla Yusuf, popularly known as Ayinla
Omowura (an Apala musician), his rise to fame, his identity, the depth of his
craft and music, and the basis for his relevance after his tragic death forty
years ago as a result of a stab from his manager, Bayewu, during a bar fight on
the 6th of May, 1980 in Abeokuta.
Ayinla is directed by
multiple award-winning and globally acclaimed Nigerian filmmaker and director,
Tunde Kelani, and produced by Jadesola Osiberu.
According to Tunde
Kelani, filmmaker and founder, Mainframe Opomulero Productions,” the making of
Ayinla allows us to throw a glance over our shoulders to our often-neglected
intangible heritage. Nigeria is blessed with huge cultural diversity and locked
away are thousands of stories we can share with a global audience.
FirstBank's partnership with us at this stage is not a mere coincidence, owing
to its over hundred years of historical contribution in unlocking the huge
potentials in Nigeria which can offer continental and global audiences”.
With the sponsorship of
similar socio-cultural initiatives in the creative arts industry like Moremi,
Makaliki, Oba Esugbayi stage drama, October 1st (a movie) and the Calabar
Festival. The Bank's sponsorship of 'Ayinla' affirms the Bank’s support for the
development of arts in Nigeria under its First@arts initiative.
First@arts is FirstBank’s
platform for consolidating all its efforts in the arts, supporting the entire
value chain of the creative arts, providing much-needed financing and advisory
support, showcasing and facilitating the successes of the industry, and
enabling customers to explore and access the wealth of opportunities the
creative industry has to offer.
Achieving these and a
host of many others have been implemented through strategic partnerships with
organizations like the British Council, Duke of Shomolu Productions, Live
Theatre Lagos, Freedom Park, Terra Kulture, and the Cross Rivers State
Government (Calabar Festival), amongst many others.
Ayinla appeals to a
multifaceted audience that cuts across fans of highlife and afrobeat music, the
youth, and the elite Yoruba demography. It features some of Nollywood’s
favorite stars including Adedimeji Lateef who played the role of Ayinla
Omowura, Kunle Afolayan, Bimbo Ademoye, Mr. Macaroni, Omowunmi Dada, Ade Laoye,
Jumoke Otedola, and Bimbo Manuel.
Speaking on the movie,
Jadesola Osiberu, Movie Producer & Founder, Greoh Studios said,
"Working with the great Tunde Kelani is something I have wanted to do for
a long time, and I am so glad that we were able to do it on a project like
Ayinla. This collaboration was an interesting experience, and I am glad
everyone finally gets to see the film we made in the cinemas nationwide from 18
June 2021. I’d like to thank the management of First Bank of Nigeria Limited
for choosing to come on this journey with us."
Expressing her delight on
the movie, Folake Ani-Mumuney, Group Head, Marketing & Corporate
Communications, FirstBank said; “For over 127 years, FirstBank has been at the
forefront of nation-building; enabling Nigeria and Nigerians through
resourceful partnerships to build the Nigerian creative industry value chain,
especially the arts and entertainment sub-sectors. We remain proud of
this sponsorship that creates an excellent platform to showcase Nigeria to the
world as being part of a collective goal to continually keep dreams and hope
alive; holding strong to our commitment to reignite cultural heritage."
“Without a doubt, the
movie industry remains part of the creative and entertainment industry
value-chain across the globe and indeed a powerful channel to drive our
heritage and culture, which resonates with our legacy of being woven into the
fabric of society.”
According to research
disclosed in PWC’s recent Entertainment & Media Outlook report, Nigeria’s
entertainment is expected to rise from $4.46 billion in 2018 to a $10.5 billion
market by the end of 2023. In addition, with this initiative and other
sponsored event, FirstBank is committed to strengthening its contribution to
the development of the entertainment industry in the country.
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