Hit FM, the leading radio station in Cross River State and organizer of the Calabar Entertainment Conference (CEC), confirmed First Bank of Nigeria Limited as the official bank partner for the flagship youth engagement program in the creative sector.

Conference Legacy and Urgency

CEC has held every year since 2017, and now in its ninth year, executive producer and CEO of Hit FM, Patrick Ugbe, said the creative sector has never been in more urgent need of interventions that facilitate capacity building, funding, distribution, and thought leadership.

Event Date and Participation

This year’s event will hold on the 17th and 18th of October at Hogis Royale in Calabar, Cross River State.

It will bring together young talents, industry leaders, investors, and policymakers to explore opportunities, tackle challenges, and chart pathways for sustainable growth within Nigeria’s dynamic creative economy.

FirstBank’s Commitment

FirstBank’s partnership demonstrates the bank’s long-standing commitment to supporting youth empowerment, innovation, and entrepreneurship across diverse sectors.

Organizers Commend Partnership

Ugbe emphasized that by coming on board as the Official Bank, FirstBank further demonstrates its role as a catalyst for growth, providing financial inclusion and fostering creativity among young Nigerians.

He added that the organizers feel thrilled to welcome FirstBank as the Official Bank of the Calabar Entertainment Conference.

He noted that the bank’s support validates the importance of the creative sector in driving national development while also providing a strong platform for youth to access resources, knowledge, and networks that will help transform their ideas into sustainable ventures.

FirstBank Speaks on Partnership

Olayinka Ijabiyi, the Acting Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications at FirstBank, stated that the bank remains passionate about supporting platforms that empower young people and nurture talent.

She explained that the partnership with the Calabar Entertainment Conference aligns with the bank’s drive to promote innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship as key drivers of Nigeria’s future.

First@Arts Initiative

She added that through the First@Arts initiative, which consolidates support for the creative arts, the bank leverages platforms like the Calabar Entertainment Conference to enable stakeholders to explore the wealth of opportunities that the creative industry offers.

Program Highlights

The two-day event will feature keynote addresses, masterclasses, panel discussions, and networking sessions designed to inspire and equip participants to maximize the opportunities in the creative industry.

 

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