An unprecedented number of international journalists from the world’s leading media organisations will cover the 2008 edition of THISDAY Music and Fashion Festival – starting with the first leg holding in Abuja on Friday.
In what is seen as a tribute to Nigeria’s fast-rising reputation as a cultural destination, journalists from reputable international media organisations have registered and have been accredited to cover the event.
Top journalists accredited are from print and electronic media, in addition to online and photo journalists.
Newspapers and magazines that are being represented include The Mail, Daily Express, Ebony, US Weekly and World Report, Rolling Stone, XXL, Vibe, Billboard, GQ, Vanity Fair and The Voice.
News agencies and electronic media include Reuters, Reuters TV, MTV, ITV, ITV Radio, BBC, WENL, Associated Press (AP), Press Association and Press Association TV. America Online (AOL) has also registered.
Freelance journalists who write for Time magazine and New York Times, among other international organs, have already been accredited.
Meanwhile, as the registration continues, more media organisations continue to indicate interest in being part of the epoch-making event.
This year’s festival, which is tagged “Africa Rising: To Celebrate the Best and Brightest of Emerging New Africa”, is designed to revolutionise global perspectives on African issues.
This is aimed at shifting focus from Africa’s problems to the opportunities, and from treating the “symptoms” to curing the “diseases” and projecting a positive image of Africa by showcasing the renaissance of Africa's music, fashion and the arts.
The organisers are of the view that what Africa needs is investment, not aid, and a new mindset can only be achieved through a celebration of the continent’s potentials.
As the build-up to the festival gathers momentum, American pop star, Jay Z, and British supermodel, Naomi Campbell, are expected to spend a day with the underprivileged children in Abuja.
The stars are showing their commitment to the African child by devoting time to the children with disabilities and those who are motherless.
The stars, who will be on parade during the first leg of the festival in Abuja, are also scheduled to plant trees as the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Aliyu Modibbo Umar, launches the initiative to plant one million trees in his campaign turn Abuja “green” and combat global warming.
The tree-planting programme will place the country as environment-friendly as she seeks to become the haven of foreign investments in Africa.
Other stars who will join him in the environmental campaign are Usher, Youssou N’Dour and Rihana, and Nigerian stars, Faze and MI.
Fashion icons, Ozwald Boateng, Tiffany Amber, Alek Wek, Chris Aire, Momo and Oluchi are also scheduled to plant trees.
Tickets for music and fashion festival are already on sale at all branches of Diamond Bank Plc and THISDAY Media Stores, while worldwide ticket sales are at Guaranty Trust Bank, London.
After the first leg on Friday, July 11, in Abuja, Lagos will host the second leg on Sunday, July 13. Washington DC, USA and London, UK, will host the remaining legs on August 1 and October 14 respectively.
In line with the theme of “Africa Rising: To Celebrate the Best and Brightest of Emerging New Africa”, the festival will feature rising stars such as Faze, MI, Shank and 9ice in the Abuja and Lagos legs of the festival. Blackky, the reggae-ragga star, is also on the bill.
The show offers the emerging music and fashion stars an opportunity to expose themselves to the world as the festival plans to showcase their talents on the international stage.
For the Washington and London legs of the show on August 1 and October 14, respectively, Asa, 2Face and DBanj have been confirmed to fly Nigeria’s flag.
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