Since its inception in 2017, the Calabar Entertainment Conference (CEC) has been a beacon of excellence in Nigeria’s culturally diverse Niger Delta region. On Friday, October 6, 2023, the seventh edition of CEC took centre stage at the Cultural Centre Complex in Calabar, Cross River State. Under the theme “Uniting Creativity and Business in Entertainment,” this year’s conference aimed to reshape the entertainment landscape in Cross River State, drawing the participation of prominent figures from Nigeria’s entertainment industry.
Notable speakers and panelists who graced the occasion include multifaceted actor and media personality Denrele Edun, Executive Director of Media Investments at OMG WeCa Yinka Adebayo, Ex-BBNaija’s Tega Dominic, award-winning actor Efa Iwara, entertainment lawyer Amanda Uzoagba, and US-based Nigerian musician Challex D Boss.
Patrick Ugbe, CEO of Hit FM 95.9 and the organiser of the conference recognises CEC’s pivotal role in harnessing the vast opportunities within the entertainment industry to combat youth unemployment, particularly as the sector is projected to generate $14.8 billion in revenue by 2025 according to research by PwC’s Global Entertainment and Media Outlook.
“We have undertaken this programme several years now, with the understanding and strong belief that the creative industry is the fastest to get our young people out of poverty into gainful engagement. Therefore, we bring industry experts and professionals annually who come to provide mentorship and guidance with the hope that a good number would learn and grow,” Ugbe stated.
Here are five reasons why CEC 2023 was a special occasion.
A Gathering of Industry Titans
CEC has long been known for attracting some of the entertainment industry’s biggest names and brightest minds. This year, however, the conference reached new heights by bringing together a diverse panel of revolutionary leaders to deliberate on the future of the industry. Denrele Edun, Yinka Adebayo, Tega Dominic, Ifa Iwara, Amanda Uzoagba, Challex D Boss, among others, engaged in insightful discussions, covering topics ranging from advertising and event management in the industry to managing fame and fortune and the essential aspects of music contracts.
Thought-Provoking Panel Discussions
Despite the remarkable strides made by Nigeria’s entertainment industry over the past decade, many challenges persist. CEC addressed these issues through thought-provoking questions. How should celebrities manage sudden fame? What should young artistes know about contracts before signing with a record label? How should newfound fortune be wisely invested? Panelists like Amanda Uzoagba, Tega Dominic, and Challex D Boss shared their experiences and offered valuable insights into these challenges.
L:R: Entertainment Lawyer, Amanda Uzoagba; Radio Personality Bisong Fortune; and Nigerian US-based Musician Challex D Boss
Amanda Uzoagba emphasized the importance of understanding contract terms: “The importance of signing a contract is to stipulate the nature of the relationship an artiste will have with a record label. But in many cases, artistes are so moved by the number of digits that they see that they don’t care to go through all the terms of the contract.”
Entertainment lawyer Amanda Uzoagba discussing what artistes should know before signing a contract.
Tega Dominic, discussing fame and fortune management, advised, “When you have fortune after fame, try to invest. Invest in something that you know can create more fortune for you.”
Ex-BBNaija Housemate Tega Dominic on stage at Calabar Cultural Centre. Tega spoke on how she managed the fame that came for being part of BB Naija Housemates in 2021.
Performances from Music Stars and Comedians
CEC began with a bang as Calabar’s emerging artiste, Anyi-Vee, made her live debut performance. Her Regga-pop-infused style and vibrant stage presence had the audience on their feet, underscoring her potential to become a leading force not only in Calabar but also nationwide. The event featured a variety of performances, including soulful renditions by Rex Coded, electrifying energy from Shenkex, thought-provoking spoken word poetry by Worden Enya, and side-splitting humor courtesy of comedian Koboko.
Calabar’s upcoming artiste, Anyi-Vee, made her debut live performance at Calabar Entertainment Conference.
Government Presence
For the first time in CEC’s history, the seventh edition garnered the attention of the government. His Excellency, the Governor of Cross River State, Bassey Otu, represented by the Deputy Governor, Peter Odey, pledged government support for the entertainment industry’s growth and job creation efforts.
“We are proud to associate with Hit FM and the Calabar Entertainment Conference. This marks the government’s inaugural presence at this remarkable event, but let it be known that we are committed to becoming sponsors in the upcoming year,” Peter Odey noted.
His Excellency, the Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Peter Odey, pledged government support for the Cross River’s entertainment industry growth.
CEC to Become a Three-Day Event with a Food and Drink Festival
After seven successful years as a one-day event, CEC is set to expand into a three-day festival. This extended format will not only promote entertainment and youth participation but also serve as a platform for showcasing Calabar’s rich culinary traditions.
“Your excellence, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, from next year, we plan to make it a three-day event which will include a food and drink festival. As we are known for our wonderful cuisine, we hope to be showcasing that to the world,” announced Patrick Ugbe, CEO of Hit FM and organiser of the conference.