AMMA NOMINATION FORM IS FREE,IT'S NOT FOR SALE-CEMS C.E.O
HAUSA HIP-HOP BLOG paid a visit to CEMS NIGERIA LIMITED.
They happen to be the organizers of AMMA/KANNYWOOD AWARDS. With the company
busy preparing to host its 3rd edition, Hausa HipHop Blog had the opportunity
of interviewing with its C.E.O Mr. Abdulkadir Abdulrahman. This was how the
interview went.
EXCERPTS
HHHB: - It has been over 29 days since the official
unveiling of the AMAA AWARDS WEBSITE. The site has over 166,000 visits. What do you
have to say about this?
A.A: - Thank you very much. It shows that AMMA has been
accepted by the entertainment industry as people are identifying with this
project. Basically, the mission and the motive of this project is to appreciate
the northern talent (artists). Also, it serves as a means for these talents to
be appreciated, to know they are loved and for the artists to work harder for
other global appreciation. It is a very good development, not for the
organizers of this event but for the entire Arewa entertainment industry.
HHHB: - What are the present challenges AMMA (CEMS NIGERIA
LTD) is/are facing towards the organization of this event?
A.A: - The basic challenge we are facing is sponsorship. It
makes no sense for event organizations to be relying on sponsors. If the
government was to sponsor such projects, it would have been a lot easier for us
as an event company. But due to the current situation we find ourselves, we
have no option but to rely on sponsorship. Nonetheless, there are companies,
individuals and other agencies that have shown interest in this project, but
they are not willing to assist until few days to the event. So we have to rally
round, double our effort to get all logistics sorted out before they come in.
HHHB: - Do you presently have sponsors for this particular
event?
A.A: Actually we have sponsors, potential sponsors and
contributors which I may not mention their names now because they prefer to
remain anonymous for now. But we do have sponsors. Yes.
HHHB: - Back to the awards. The viewer’s choice category
award is one aspect of the event that stroked the attention of the entertainers
in the industry. What has been the outcome so far?
A.A:-We made this edition a special edition because we
believe as time changes, we also have to change and adapt. It is part of our
initiative to reframe this project. People are already used to categories like
most popular actor/actress, etc; we felt we should initiate something
spectacular; which gave birth to the Viewers’ Choice Category. There are almost
17 categories accessible on our website (
www.ammawards.com).
Amma is working so hard to let the general public know that we at Arewa can
host bigger events like this. So far, the response has been impressive.
HHHB: - With 17 categories comprising of both movie and music,
which category do you think is the most interesting?
A.A:- Well (smiling and stuttering)…… the two categories are
all interesting honestly. You see, in terms of voting, I would say the music category
has been more active based on what we have seen on our website.
HHHB:-The site has been experiencing some hiccups due to
heavy traffic of people logging/accessing the site. How is AMMA (CEMS NIG. LTD)
addressing the situation?
A.A:-AMMA is now a household name on the mouth of music and
movie consumers. We do appreciate the effort of the media, stakeholders and the
general public. On two occasions, we had some issues with our website. The
influx of people into the site has been alarming. What we did was to extend our
bandwidth. The bandwidth was a bit low when we started. We never anticipated
that people would be visiting the site at such rate. But now, we have extended our bandwidth which
should last for the next 12 months.
HHHB:- Apart from the Viewers’ Choice Category, there are
other categories. How many entries have you received from these categories so
far?
A.A:- As you can see (pointing at his table), I am working
on some of the entries submitted on a spread sheet. We have over 350 entries
received. Going by projection, we are expecting as much as 600 entries before
the closing date.
HHHB:- What was the figure for last year’s edition?
A.A:- Last year, we had about 200 entries.
HHHB:- We can vividly say that there is a positive progression?
A.A:- Yes!
HHHB:- How many awards are you giving awarding in total?
A.A:- 78 awards. The Viewers’ Category has 17, the movies
35, music is 15 and the Special Awards has 11 totaling about 78.
HHHB:- Where can music/movie professionals get there forms
most especially for those who want to participate?
A.A:- Go to Film house Cinema, Ado Bayero Mall which is
located at Zoo Road
Kano City,
Kano State to grab a copy. It is absolutely
free. Don’t pay a dime to collect as the forms are not for sale.
HHHB:- For those interested in sponsorship, how can you be
reached?
A.A:- We can be reached through these numbers.
(+234) 8166500036, 8035302772, 8083069379
Facebook Page: ammawards
Twitter: @ammawards
Instagram: arewamusicandmoviesawards
Whatsapp: (+234) 8099288552
HHHB:- Thank you for your time Sir.
