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FirstBank Announced as Official Sponsor of CEC 2025
FirstBank of Nigeria Limited has been unveiled as the Official Bank Partner for the Calabar Entertainment Conference (CEC) 2025. Event is a flagship youth and creative industry engagement program organized by Hit FM, Cross River State’s leading radio station.
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The announcement marks a major boost for the event, now in its 9th edition. It has run annually since 2017 and has become a premier platform for creative talent development, funding access, and industry collaboration.
Creative Economy in Focus
CEC 2025 is scheduled for October 17–18, 2025, at Hogis Royale, Calabar, and will gather young talents, industry leaders, investors, and policymakers. Discussions will center on opportunities, challenges, and strategies for sustainable growth within Nigeria’s dynamic creative economy.
Patrick Ugbe, Executive Producer of CEC and CEO of Hit FM, stressed that Nigeria’s creative sector is at a defining moment:
“The sector has never been in more urgent need of interventions that facilitate capacity building, funding, distribution, and thought leadership.”
FirstBank’s Commitment to Creativity and Youth Empowerment
The sponsorship underscores FirstBank’s long-standing commitment to youth empowerment, innovation, and entrepreneurship across Nigeria.
Olayinka Ijabiyi, Acting Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications at FirstBank, highlighted the bank’s vision:
“At FirstBank, we are passionate about platforms that empower young people and nurture talent. Our partnership with CEC reflects our commitment to innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship as key drivers of Nigeria’s future.”
He noted that through the First@Arts initiative, the bank continues to consolidate its support for the creative sector by enabling stakeholders to explore the wealth of opportunities in Nigeria’s booming entertainment and arts industry.
What to Expect at CEC 2025
The two-day conference will feature:
- Keynote addresses from thought leaders in entertainment and business
- Masterclasses and workshops on funding, distribution, and digital opportunities
- Panel discussions with industry stakeholders and policymakers
- Networking sessions to connect investors, entrepreneurs, and creative talents
Ugbe emphasized that FirstBank’s involvement provides “a strong platform for young Nigerians to access resources, knowledge, and networks that will transform their ideas into sustainable ventures.”
