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Message: <blockquote data-quote="cthabrew" data-source="post: 1183446" data-attributes="member: 6297">THE stage seemed uncertain. And the audience watched with rapt attention as the drama unfolded. One of Nigeria’s leading rapper had climbed up the stage in a manner that suggested an understanding to use the stage to settle scores. Fronting a two-year old kid, he had shook hands with his unsuspecting guest. Soon, he went down to business performing the best of African hip-hop, slave trade, foot ball and lifestyle.Dressed in Super Eagles’ attire, the end of his brilliant performance which was designed for that purpose signalled a new dawn for the music industry in Africa. “50 Cent, I ’m sorry. You are my brother.We are one, if not for slave trade, you would have been here with us.”he muted with a sincere heart.Overwhelmed with that singular act, his guest extended his arms and hugged him to the visible surprise and approval of the audience, thus bringing to an abrupt and shocking end the two-year-old feud between the Nigerian hip-hop star, Abdulkareem Eedris, and American rap star, 50 Cent, which began in 2005 when 50 Cent visited the country for the Star Mega Jam that both stars were billed to feature in Port-Harcourt. The media launch of the KORA Awards held last December, at the International Conference Centre, Abuja lastThursday night will forever be remembered as having served a dual-purpose of being used as a platform by the organizers to settle the long-standing “feud” between the Nigerian born star, Eedris and his American counterpart, 50 Cent, and also to announce the presence of KORA in Nigeria.For many who witnessed that drama of reunion, and who are  indeed, familiar with the existing feud between the two superstars, the occasion was a predictable landmark for the African music industry in particular, and also the organizers of the continental award at large.Given the fact that KORA stands to promote African music internationally, unite the continent through music and the arts to promote a positive image of Africa to the rest of the world, the outcome of that historic  media launch was no less a realization of the flourishing dream that gave birth to the awards 10 year ago. KORA remains Africa’s most prestigious Music Awards and since inception in 1996, has continued to enjoy global acclamation and coverage. Apart from undertaking to reward excellence among  musicians from all over the continent, the event over the years  has metamorphosed into a uniting force to advance the cause of the black man music across the world. As part of the efforts towards realizing the dream of  hosting the event in Nigeria, the media launch turned out to become a glamorous gathering of  musicians, promoters, politicians and all those involved in the continental music industry.The main KORA Awards ceremony, sponsored by the First Bank Plc, will be hosted by the Cross River State, where it will run till 2012, and staged at Tinapa, the nation’s premium business resort.President of KORA, Mr. Ernest Ajovi, a native of French speaking Benin Republic, at the gathering said that the event was being re-launched in Nigeria, in response to an invitation by the Nigerian government and a recommendation by the African Union Commission that the ceremony rotates among countries in the continent, to give it a true African image.According to him, while South Africa had played host to the music fiesta since 1996,when the event started, relocating it to Nigeria however became necessary as the years rolled by and certain logistic issues confronted the success of the show.He said, “South Africa took great care in nurturing the KORA Awards. My dream is for Nigeria to take the awards to greater heights. We are sure that by bringing the Awards to Nigeria, the event will soar above its current limits and reach new levels of success.This hugely popular show is going to be bigger and better and promises to meet Africa’s expectations. We have been rejuvenated by the excitement that Nigeria have shown towards hosting the event.” Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State, who was formally presented with the award plague in Calabar by  KORA President, the previous week, was among the dignitaries that graced the occasion. Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Chief Kayode Adetokunbo, US ambassador to Nigeria , Mrs. Robin Sander were also in attendance.Others were highly placed Nigerians and diplomats.  Governor Imoke, speaking at the occasion described the event as “an occasion in season.”saying that  KORA is coming to Nigeria at last, having come a long way in 11 years.According to him, relocating the hosting of the event to Nigeria will not only help to boost the branding of the country, but more importantly, it will help to enhance the tourism potential of the state often described as “the flagship of tourism in Nigeria.” The Cross River State Governor, therefore tasked the organizers of the continental music awards to use the event to tackle the increasing effects of the deadly diseases such as AIDS/HIV, malaria and other life-threatening diseases.Speaking in the same vein, Culture, Tourism and National Orientation Minister, Chief Kayode Adetokunbo  reiterated the readiness of the Federal Government to collaborate with any state of the federation, that desires to develop its tourism potential. Aside featuring the likes of Zairean makosa exponent, Awilo Longomba, VIP from Ghana, 2005 KORA award winner, Sam Okposo, D’banj, the highlight of the event was the showcasing of Eedris and 50 Cent on the same stage.Right after the American rap star’s performance, the compere announced to 50 Cent and the audience that “An African brother is going to come on stage and show you some African love.” Soon,  Eedris emerged from the blue, causing a thunderous ovation from the audience, who did not fail to appreciate the effort of the organizers to use the stage to settle the lingering scores between the two superstars.The face-off between Eedris and 50 Cent was caused by seating arrangements on a plane taking the stars to Port-Harcourt from Abuja two years ago.   The coming of KORA Awards to Nigeria is believed to help uplift the face of African music with the next five editions of this spectacular event holding in the country.</blockquote>

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