Top contenders for the coveted award include some of Africa’s biggest music titans like Tiwa Savage, Yemi Alade, Seyi Shay and Niniola.
According to the Moderator of the adjudication process, Mr. Mike Strano, about 2,700 entries from African music professionals were received during the period of May 20, 2015 to July 30, 2016. Describing the nominations process as careful and thorough, Mr. Strano harped on the Jury’s resolve to be fair and transparent.
“The Jury is very careful about being accurate right from the process of verifying eligibility of entries to the process of collating and finalising results. It is an evolving process but one we work painstakingly at to ensure transparency and fairness,” Strano explained.
Speaking further, Strano who is the Regional Director, Eastern Africa/Co-Producer, AFRIMA said, “There are 34 categories of the award but only 10 are released, which are the Regional Categories. A new category introduced this year is the “People’s Choice Award” which comes out from a healthy debate by the International Committee of AFRIMA and the Jury.”
Describing the jurors’ experience as rewarding, the Head, Culture Division, African Union Commission, Mrs. Angela Martins, reiterated the AU and AFRIMA’s objectives of unity among African artistes and the need for continental integration while celebrating its rich music and heritage.
She said, “The adjudication process was very rewarding and as one privileged to be part of the Jury, I was able to discover the widespread talents in the different regions of our beloved continent. Now, that the AFRIMA adjudication has been finalised, we expect that in the coming months, Africans will recognise these nominated artistes by putting in votes for all of them.”
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