…WIZKID BECOMES UBA AMBASSADOR
The over 20,000 guests who attended the UBAmarketplace 2019 were left
in awe and full of commendation for United Bank for Africa and REDTV as
they were treated to a great line up of activities during the two-day
event which was held on the July 26th and 27th at the Transcorp Hilton
hotel in Abuja.
The UBAmarketplace event which took place on the sidelines of the 2019
edition of the Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Forum – the largest
gathering of the entrepreneurship ecosystem in Africa, provided the
attendees and participants with a huge platform to get everything in one
place. Guests and participants were able to network, while being engaged
with a series of entertainment, panel sessions, fashion, fun, comedy,
relaxation and shopping.
At the event, they also had the unique opportunity to meet with some of
their favourite stars and celebrities.
The major highlight at the marketplace was the unveiling of Africa’s
international Afropop artist, Ayo Ibrahim Balogun aka Wizkid as the new
brand ambassador for UBA.
Just before the big announcement, Uzoka and Wizkid had sat in a
fireside chat themed “Suits and Stars, Afropop meets High Finance” where
they discussed issues regarding finance and the creative industry in
Africa.
The UBA GMD explained that as a major driver of employment for the
youth, the critical role of Small and Medium Scale businesses in the
development of any economy cannot be overemphasized.
Uzoka said, “UBA is a bank that is interested in the growth of SMEs as
well as youth empowerment and we have done many things in the past in
this regard. We have partnered with the Tony Elumelu Foundation to
support the youths across Africa who we know are the future of our
continent’s economic renaissance.”
Continuing, Uzoka said, “And so today, we are unveiling Wizkid as our
brand ambassador to show our unrelenting support for SMEs and to further
create a platform for them to thrive. This is a strong collaboration
that will help us as an institution to propel our dream of making Africa
a truly self-sufficient economy,” Uzoka noted.
In his response, Wizkid, who sought for increased support of financial
institutions for the African entertainment industry, expressed his
profound excitement with the partnership, adding that the UBA brand
shares his passion to make every child and youth in Africa have the
opportunity to thrive.
He said, “It is my passion and my biggest dream to help the youth and
to build schools around Africa, and this partnership, I believe, is a
step towards that direction; UBA and Wizkid, now let’s change the
world.”
In a separate panel, Richard Mofe Damijo, the top Nollywood icon, Movie
producer/director, Tunde Kelani , Cynthia Nassardine, a top actress from
Cote D’ivoire, Ayoola Ayolola sat with the CEO UBA Africa, Mr. Victor
Osadolor in a movie panel session to discuss the theme ‘The Big
Picture: Business of film making’.
The movie session which was moderated by Bola Atta, UBA’s Group Head,
Corporate Communication and Executive producer for the Bank’s REDTV,
deliberated on how entrepreneurs from the creative and film making
industry in Africa can benefit from the opportunities in the world of
finance. Music was not left out as Dj Cuppy, Dj Neptune, Pheelz the
Producer and UBA’s Chief Credit Officer, Franklin Erebor discussed on
the theme ‘Booth to Bank: How the beat becomes the profit’.
Uzoka speaking at the market place opined that with the series of
events, UBA has touched base with small business owners and will
continue to positively affect the lives of entrepreneurs doing business
in its countries of operations and beyond’. “I think everyone realises
the fact that we need to prioritise the private sector. We need to
encourage entrepreneurship and the African youths. This is the driving
factor and the major reason why we are organising an event of this
magnitude’ he said.
Other side attractions at the Redzone was the screening of the Lion
King Movie and Bling Lagosians by REDTV; fashion shows by up and coming
African designers; treasure hunts, as well as a Founder’s Day pitch
event, where beneficiaries of the Tony Elumelu Foundation were presented
a platform to pitch their businesses, with a grand prize of a grant
courtesy of UBA.