Festival of Arts and Cultural Expo Africa, 2014 Press Conference was held at the Consulate General of Nigeria, 8060 Roswell Rd, Atlanta, GA 30350 on Friday 28th at 4:00 pm, hosted by AfriQtalk, PAN African Chambers of Commerce and the organizing team of FACE, in collaboration with the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Atlanta.

Ambassador Geoffrey I. Teneilabe. Amb./Consul-General also, gave an opening remarks at the event on Culture, and Tourism Investment Opportunities. Theme; “Harnessing Culture for Competitive Advantage” Other speakers were CEO of AfriQtalk “Culture Beyond Borders” Princess Asha Okojie-Osazuwa, Mr. Toks Onabanjo, Chairman of Pan Africa Chamber of Commerce, and William Stewart, Chairman of Embrace Music Foundation, Miami, Florida.

The objective of the event was to celebrate African and African-American influences on global cultures, promote culture, and tourism investment opportunities for exchange of information to enhance bilateral trade, create awareness, bridge the cultural gap in education, technology, research, business, entertainment.

This event showcased Nigeria’s cultural heritage and tourism, aptly described as the ‘Giant of Africa’ and the heart of Africa for a good reason. It is richly endowed with ecological and cultural resources, which are of universal recognition from threads of history, diversity, legend and conquest. With Nigeria’s booming tourism industry, its development and growth must meet international standards, awareness must be created, other cultures must be made sufficiently known not only because the world has become a global village but because people appreciate what they understand, according to Princess Asha Okojie-Osazuwa, one of the organizers of FACE 2014.

The platform created an environment to network, do business and capitalize on the fast growing hospitality and tourism sector in Nigeria. There were live performances from artists, and entertainers, including; cultural dance groups, beauty contest pageantry, and activities.

Endorsed by Mayor Kasim Reed of Atlanta and Nigeria Ministry of Culture & Tourism National Orientation, Abuja, Nigeria. The two day culture and tourism investment expo & award is expected to attract more over one thousand attendees, dignitaries, delegates and people from all walks of life to the city of Atlanta from around the world.

2014 RECIPIENTS OF FACE 2014 AWARD 

1. DISTINGUISHED AWARD
Andrew Jackson Young, Atlanta GA

2. IMAGE AWARD
Mayor, Kasim Reed of Atlanta, GA

3. BEST CULTURAL CONTRIBUTION
Chief Edem Duke, Hon. Minister of Culture,Tourism and National Orientation

4. OUTSTANDING ORGANIZATION/NETWORK
Alliance of Nigeria Organization in Georgia (ANOG), USA

5. OUTSTANDING ENTREPRENEUR/EXECUTIVE
Robert Brunner, Arik Airlines

6. PUBLIC INTERGRITY AWARD
Hon. Mike Onolememen, Minister of Works, Abuja, Nigeria

7. LIFE TIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Barrister Oladipo Okpeseyi, Senior Advocate of Nigeria
Ambassador Geoffrey Teneilabe, Nigeria Consulate Office, Atlanta GA