THE third edition of Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards recorded huge success that came with a huge budget as well, here is the breakdown of how much it really gulped.
THE 26 MILLION VENUE
Sources squealed to ENCOMIUM Weekly that about N26 million was paid by the organizers for a period of two days in order to use the prestigious Expo Centre, Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
N12 MILLION STAGE AND SOUND EQUIPMENT
The state-of-the-art sound system and equipment, alongside the stage lighting and big screen cost the organizers a fortune. According to our source, all of N12 million went into it to make the show a huge success.
THE N1.5 MILLION RED CARPET
The red carpet kicked off at 6 p.m. Guests were ushered onto the long red carpet by ushers in lacy black gown. It was rumoured that the organizers spent N1.5 million on the red carpet.
USHERS –N950,000
Numbering about 20, fair-skinned delectable ushers in different garbs, two were on stage, some on the red carpet, some at the waiting room and some inside the event hall. Each usher was paid N30,000. 20 ushers got N600,000, while the modeling agency handling them collected N150,000. They were lodged at Best Western Hotel for a night. They took four rooms and each room cost N50,000 making N200,000. A total of N950,000 was spent on ushers.
THE N1.3 MILLION TROPHIES
The trophies made of wood and bronze mounted on a base of glossy mahogany aside the gigantic trophy at the entrance of Eko Hotel & Suites and the smaller one within the roundabout, insiders squealed were made in South Africa. Each trophy cost a hundred thousand, while the huge one at the entrance cost N500,000. The smaller one cost N250,000. The remaining N250,000 accounts for logistics, making a total of N1.5 million.
N500,000 WARDROBE ALLOWANCE FOR HOSTS
The duo of I. K. Osakioduwa and Vimbai Muntinhiri shared in the largesse of the awards. They were compensated with N250,000 each as wardrobe allowance. No wonder they changed their attires about three times before the show ended.
They were also paid N1.5 million each for hosting the event.
GUESTS, PRESENTERS, HOSTS, NOMINEES WERE LODGED AT N2.4 MILLION
The organizers spared no cost in making sure they had a grand event. Some of the guests were lodged at Eko Hotel & Suites. Presenters, artistes, hosts and nominees were not left behind, foreigners, nominees and guests were lodged as well as Nigerians. Lodging per night cost N60,000. About 200 guests were lodged for two days making a total of N2.4 million.
N19 MILLION ARTISTE FEE
Mavin Crew were the first on stage. They kept guests singing cheerfully. They were paid N10 million. 2Face was paid N5 million while P-Square got N4 million.
N5 MILLION ADVERTISEMENTS
The media were not left out on MNET’s bill. We learnt the advertisement gulped N5 million. They covered television, radio, billboards and print media. It also included posters.
HOW MUCH AMSTEL GAVE AS SPONSORS
Amstel Malta, producer of low sugar malt drink donated hugely to the success of the show. Sources squealed that they gave a total of N20 million, prize money for winners inclusive.
N500,000 FOR DJ SWITCH
Talented DJ Switch was on standby, thrilling guests with melodious tunes from her archives. She got all of N500,000.
N6.4 MILLION FOR THOSE THAT FLEW IN FOR AMVCA
Some guests came from other countries, men in charge of sound and track, some nominees and crew were all brought to Nigeria on the organiser’s bill. Sources claim some came via Arik flight and South African Airways. We gathered that a total of 50 people were brought from neighbouring countries. Arik’s return ticket cost a total of N138,000 while a return ticket on South African Airways cost N121,000. 30 guests came through South African Airways, 20 guests came through Arik. Making a total of N6.4 million.
N5.2 MILLION MISCELLANEOUS SPENDING
Our sources revealed that about N2 million miscellaneous went to AMVCA.
TABLE OF EXPENSES
Venue (two days) – N26 million
Stage & Sound – N12 million
Trophies – N1.3 million
What the host got – N3 million
Host Wardrobe Allowance – N500,000
Red carpet – N1.5 million
Ushers – N950,000
Lodging (2 days) – N2.4 million
Artiste fee – N19 million
Advert – N5 million
Flight for foreigners – N6.4 million
DJ – N500,000
Miscellaneous – N2 million
N80.55 million
– SHADE WESLEY-METIBOGUN and DOLAPO AMODENI