‘Naija To The World’ showcase to debut at New York’s iconic theatre

Buckwyld Media Network and BHM have partnered to develop and execute a range of international showcases exploring the culture and creativity of Nigeria, the home of Nollywood and Afrobeats.

According to a statement co-signed by Efe Omorogbe, CEO of Buckwyld Media Network, and Ayeni Adekunle, founder of BHM, the cultural project is targeted at providing an alternative narrative to “the stories out there about Nigeria and Nigerians”.

They said the project is to provide a platform for other aspects of the Nigerian lore, culture, and experiences to travel and thrive, “as Nigerian music and film continue to go mainstream”.

The statement said the exhibition, tagged ‘Naija To The World’, will debut at the iconic Apollo Theatre in New York City on September 16, 2023.

“Naija To The World, as the exhibition will be called, will debut at the world-famous Apollo Theatre in New York City on September 16, 2023 after traversing several Nigerian cities from Lagos to Port Harcourt, Benin, Abuja, Jos,” the statement reads in part.

“An initial event will focus on telling cultural stories and providing music and related experiences from the Niger Delta region of Nigeria where at least 10 out of 20 talents in the creative industry have emerged over the past 25 years.

“The region was selected because of its rich cultural history as well as its struggles to achieve creative and economic success and stability despite providing over 80 % of Nigeria’s GDP.

“Apart from live curated concerts, the series will also produce themed biographies, biopics, and documentaries in partnership with select platforms.”

Ayeni said: “We’re beyond excited for the opportunity to co-host this new series of cultural showcases around the US and later other parts of the world.

“The plan is to tell original African stories through live concerts, exhibitions, films, documentaries, and so on. And the first instalment will focus on the Niger Delta region of Nigeria where most of Nigeria’s crude oil comes from but which continues to be troubled, abandoned, and impoverished.

“The world already knows this and many have had cause to use the oil directly or indirectly. But what many do not know is that most of the African pop music dominating the world right now also comes from there (Burna Boy For example).

“So we want to showcase the music, the food, the fashion, and the literature from a place many only previously associated with oil and violence.”

The organisers added that a documentary is in the making which includes pop-up events around Nigeria and parts of New York City.

Omorogbe, on his part, added that: “Against a backdrop of multi-billion dollar operations and squalid communities, confounding extremes that seem to leave the polity constantly tethering on the brink of crisis, the Niger Delta region remains the premiere incubator for talent in Nigeria.

“Talent who have continually shaped the course of creative enterprise in Nigeria; talent who are driving the redefinition of Nigeria’s national identity and burgeoning soft power; talent who are primed for world domination and seem unwilling to let anything deter them from reaching their goal.’’

It is expected that at least 10 million fans will participate through pop-up events and talent shows and a series of community events around historic African communities in America.

It is also anticipated that 1,500 fans will witness history and watch live at the Apollo, while at least 10 million more will listen and watch through broadcast partners across North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa.