Top Nollywood Actor and Movie Producer, Yomi Fash-Lanso, recently had a chat with PorscheClassy Media where he took time out to talk extensively on the importance of the Afro-Heritage Broadcasting and Entertainment Award (AHBEA) and the challenges related with the annual ceremonial event.

Yomi Fash-Lanso who doubles as the African Coordinator of the event says the award was borne out of the necessity to celebrate and honour entertainers in film, music, broadcasting and all other arms of entertainment in Africa.

In his words, Yomi Fash said “Though the award was created solely for those who have spent 20 years and above in the industry but there are cases of exception for those who have equally performed very well as entertainment practitioners and good role model void of scandalous reputation.

He spoke further on one of the aim of the award, which is to use the AHBEA award platform to educate and sensitive young African descents in diaspora, so they will know that back in Africa, good things are happening in contrast to what they’ve been taught over the years.

Excerpts of the interview below:

1. Tell us more about the AHBEA award Initiave?

Ans- Afro-Heritage Broadcasting & & Entertainment Award ( AHBEA) idea was borne out of the necessity to celebrate and honor and celebrate entertainers in the film, music, broadcasting and all other arms of entertainment in africa. AHBEA is put together solely for those who’ve spent 20 years and above in the industry. But there are exceptions for those who’ve equally perform very well as an entertainer and a good role model void of scandalous reputation. Equally AHBEA will be using these great African entertainers platform to educate and sensitize young Africans in diaspora so they’ll know that back in africa good things are happening in contrast to what they’ve been taught over the years.

2. What is in store for the 2017 Edition?

Ans – Because of the success we’ve been able to achieve in a short while we’re left with no choice than to explore all available avenues to make 2017 edition classical. We’ve been able to seal partnership deals with ‎some US based entertainment company and energy generating company which I know will further expand and promote AHBEA and what’s it stands for. Equally we’re in discussion with some african companies that wants to expand and promote their products beyond africa using AHBEA platform. By 3rd month in 2017 we’ll be rolling out our line up programs for AHBEA 2017

3. Who will your awardees be for 2017?

Ans – Like it is and it’ll be every year , AHBEA 2017 award recipients will be drawn from all over african countries. The committee saddled with that job are already working on possible recipients as we talk.

4. What were the challenges you experienced during the last edition?

Ans – We give thanks to Almighty Olodumare (God) that made 2016 Edition a success despite the sudden down fall of naira which hike up travel tickets from #350k to #850 – #750k for economy class. And to say we had to ferry more than 50 passengers not to talk of securing 4 night accommodation at 3 different 5***** hotel. Let me say a big thank you to those that came to our rescue in terms of finance, mobility and support. As I speak we’re owing well over $50,000. But like every passion driven idea, No Retreat No Surrender

5. You recorded a high success at the last edition, what are your plans to make the 2017 edition differ to the previous ones?

Ans – When you do any business‎ event like what we’re doing you’re bound to record some lapses which may not be known to your guests and we’ve recorded where short comings came from despite the huge success achieved thus our determination to improve better. To further see that all issues concerning lapses were addressed I as the AHBEA Coordinator for Africa stayed back to have a meeting where everything was analyzed and painstakingly addressed. We promise to make AHBEA 2017 record another huge success with guest having more fun and entertainment than before.

6. Most of the guests at the 2016 edition were extremely excited to see some of their adored celebrities like Odunlade Adekola, Dayo D1 Adeneye, Kunle Afolayan, Ella Mensah e.t.c hope you also have the plans to bring more of their celebrities to them in 2017, without recycling?

Ans – What we do with AHBEA is not bringing known faces alone but stars that have been in the industry for 20 – 30years above. Some of them this generation have forgotten their immense contribution to the growth of the industry before the birth of Videotape Movies which is so so sad. We celebrate and honor them so that the new generation of entertainers will know them, discuss with them and tap from their fountain of knowledge and craft. People were head over heels to see Sadiq Daba, Pete Edochie, Liz Benson, Bimbo Manuel in flesh when their pictures came up for AHBEA 2016. That is to tell you the magnetic feel AHBEA has generated.

7. Any challenge the project is experiencing at the moment?

Ans – ‎With the present situation of nigeria economy and global financial dullness one cannot expect not to suffer some impacts but we’re grateful that we enjoy immeasurable support from IDCL, Lagos state ministry of culture and tourism, IBD Investment, Ajilesoro Investment, Socopao Investment, AdronHomes and Prosperities etc. But with a lot of partnership proposals we’ve received so far, we believe the sky will be the beginning for AHBEA.

8. What is your criteria for choosing the recipients?

Ans – AHBEA is not by Vote nor by nomination. It’s strictly by careful selection of names of entertainers who’ve been in the industry from 20years above. But exception for those who’ve perfect their trade with pure excellence and commitment.

9. Is AHBEA award only meant for Nigerians? Because i noticed a Ghanaian writer addressed it as such during the last edition.

Ans – Maybe the writer was not at the press conference months before the event or he/she wasn’t really following the news about AHBEA well enough. We got a recipient from Ghana who was present at the event and we equally got a recipient from south Africa who couldn’t make it because of his very tight schedule. Let me state here that it’s a herculean task getting intouch with our target entertainers because it’s not by vote or nomination. Some of the entertainers managers or agents are difficult to deal with thus making it very difficult to get penned recipients contact and details for further discussions on time. And in that kind of situation we use our initiative. ‎Next year we’ll be covering Cameroon, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Kenya, South Africa aside Nigerian to mention but few.

10. Would there be more added categories at the forthcoming edition of AHBEA awards?

Ans – We have the Legends & Icons category for now with the posthumous to honor our late colleagues in the industry which happens to be the first of it’s kind in any award event put together outside africa. So maybe in few years to come we’ll infuse Lifetime Achievement Category which will come maybe once in 5years or as deemed fit by the committee.