First Bank of Nigeria Limited announces its lead sponsorship of the movie titled ‘Ayinla’, billed to premiere on Sunday, 13 June 2021.
The suspense-driven movie narrates the life of Ayinla Yusuf, popularly known as Ayinla Omowura (an Apala musician). The movie details his rise to fame, his identity, and the depth of his craft and music. It also explains the basis for his relevance after his tragic death forty years ago.
Ayinla was stabbed by his manager, Bayewu, during a bar fight on the 6th of May, 1980 in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Ayinla is directed by multiple award-winning and globally acclaimed Nigerian filmmaker and director, Tunde Kelani, and produced by Jadesola Osiberu.
According to Tunde Kelani, filmmaker and founder, Mainframe Opomulero Productions,
”The making of Ayinla allows us to throw a glance over our shoulders to our often-neglected intangible heritage. Nigeria is blessed with huge cultural diversity and locked away are thousands of stories we can share with a global audience. FirstBank’s partnership with us at this stage is not a mere coincidence, owing to its over hundred years of historical contribution in unlocking the huge potentials in Nigeria which can offer continental and global audiences”.
The Bank’s sponsorship of ‘Ayinla‘ affirms its support for the development of arts in Nigeria under its First Arts initiative. The bank also sponsors similar socio-cultural initiatives in the creative arts industry like Moremi, Makaliki, Oba Esugbayi stage drama, October 1st (a movie), and the Calabar Festival.
Check out the official teaser below
First Arts is First Bank’s platform for consolidating all its efforts in the arts. The initiative supports the entire value chain of the creative arts. It also provides much-needed financing and advisory support, showcases and facilitates the success of the industry, and enables customers to explore and access the wealth of opportunities the creative industry has to offer.
These have all been achieved and implemented through strategic partnerships with organizations like the British Council, Duke of Shomolu Productions, Live Theatre Lagos, Freedom Park, Terra Kulture, and the Cross Rivers State Government (Calabar Festival), amongst many others.
Ayinla appeals to a multifaceted audience that cuts across fans of highlife and afrobeat music, the youth, and the elite Yoruba demography. It features some of Nollywood’s favorite stars including Adedimeji Lateef who plays the role of Ayinla Omowura. Ayinla also boasts the prominent names like Kunle Afolayan, Bimbo Ademoye, Mr. Macaroni, Omowunmi Dada, Ade Laoye, Jumoke Otedola, and Bimbo Manuel.
Speaking on the movie, Jadesola Osiberu, Movie Producer & Founder, Greoh Studios said,
“Working with the great Tunde Kelani is something I have wanted to do for a long time. I am so glad that we were able to do it on a project like Ayinla. This collaboration was an interesting experience. I‘m glad everyone finally gets to see the film we made in cinemas nationwide from 18 June 2021. I’d like to thank the management of First Bank of Nigeria for choosing to come on this journey with us.”
Expressing her delight on the movie, Folake Ani-Mumuney, Group Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications, FirstBank said,
“For over 127 years, FirstBank has been at the forefront of nation-building; enabling Nigeria and Nigerians through resourceful partnerships to build the Nigerian creative industry value chain, especially the arts and entertainment sub-sectors. We remain proud of this sponsorship that creates an excellent platform to showcase Nigeria to the world as being part of a collective goal to continually keep dreams and hope alive; holding strong to our commitment to reignite cultural heritage. Without a doubt, the movie industry remains part of the creative and entertainment industry value-chain across the globe and indeed a powerful channel to drive our heritage and culture, which resonates with our legacy of being woven into the fabric of society.”
The signs look good for the future of the Nigerian entertainment industry. PWC reports that the industry is expected to rise from $4.46 billion in 2018 to a $10.5 billion market by the end of 2023. In addition, with this initiative and other sponsored events, First Bank is committed to strengthening its contribution to the development of the entertainment industry in the country.
