Entertainment is the new crude oil: Tony Okoroji speaks at Paradise Music Festival & Awards 2017 | NaijacityBlog

… Cross River State Governor honoured with ‘Symphonic Pillar Award’

Nelson NseAbasi

The Director General of Copy Right Society of Nigeria (COSON), Chief Tony Okoroji has charged entertainers in Nigeria to continue their pursuit in the creative industry, as entertainment remains a major contributor to the economy of states and federation in this current era. He made the statement yesterday, 3rd December 2017 while speaking at the 4th Edition of Paradise Music Festival & Awards tagged ‘AKWA CROSS EDITION’ held at the Pearl Ball Room of the prestigious Transcorp Hotels, Calabar.

In his Opening Remark, Effiom Trombone narrated the story of the award and the journey so far; ‘Paradise Music Festival & Awards has continued to remain the foremost and only event which celebrates ingenuity in music in this part of Nigeria. Conceptualized as Cross River Music Awards in 2012, the prestigious award earned respect in the second year, following our pledge to continually host the finest music industry appreciation award in the state’.

‘A year after, the brand metamorphosed into Paradise Music Festival & Awards in the third edition, where veteran musician Sunny Neji was honoured and Mista Xto presented a recognition award. This year’s edition being an AKWA CROSS EDITION, was open to entries from Akwa Ibom state and Cross River state, which also served the purpose of strengthening the chord of unity between the two states’.

Governor of Cross River State, Senator Ayade was decorated with the award of Symphonic Pillar, leading a pack of the 15 category voting Awards and 3 Honourary Awards presented at the glamorous occasion, for his investment in youth/talent development, also for his establishment of the Ministry of Culture & Tourism Development and the appointment of a young and dynamic entertainer Eric Anderson as the pioneer Commissioner.

In his keynote address on behalf of the host state Government, the Commissioner for Culture & Tourism in Cross River State, Mr. Eric Anderson charged the youths to think big, by churning out creative materials good enough to place them on the same pedestal with their counterparts in other parts of the world; he reiterated his boss’s commitment towards creating a vibrant industry to employ the youth in the state. He noted that the Governor of Cross River State, His Excellency Senator Professor Ben Ayade has continually stayed true to his promise to create an enabling environment for the entertainment industry to thrive’, he said. This goes a long way to show that his administration is committed to creating structures and policies which will create a workable environment to sustain the entertainment industry in the state.

Gorgeously dressed guests present at the 5-star award ceremony included award winning musician Mista Xto, Spydaman, Special Assistant to Cross River State Governor of Cross River State on Entertainment, Big Daddy, the Special Assistant to Akwa Ibom State Governor on Project Monitoring, Godfada Uko, Actors Guild of Nigeria State Chairman in Akwa Ibom State, Hon. Emmanuel Owuala, former President Goodluck Jonathan’s son inlaw, Prince Seven who is also CEO of EddyLiz Group.

See Full List of Winners…

FULL LIST OF WINNERS AT PARADISE MUSIC FESTIVAL & AWARDS 2017

1- New Discovery of the year
- Young Bone

2- Song of the year
- "Skwinik" by Okpo Records Gang

3- Album of the Year
- Obong Ekpe (Shanky)

4- Female Artiste of the Year
- Pretty Brown

5- Rap/ Hip hop Artiste of the Year
- Ikpa Udo

6- Gospel Artiste of the Year
- Ekanem Esu

7- DJ of the year
- DJ MPD

8- Song writer of the year
- Usimeke

9- OAP of the year
- Duke Emmanuel

10- Music producer of the year
- Teddy Bantty

11- Video of the year
- “No Changes” by Challex Da Boss

12- Reggae Dancehall artiste of the year
- Pope Don-X

13- Music blogger of the year
- Lyrical4Ces

14- Collabo of the year
- Lybra ft MC Galaxy – Baby Tomato

15- Pop Song of the Year
- “Like that” by Tshawn