For sometime, Nigeria’s Image had nosedived with various government efforts to resuscitate it. A clear example was Nigeria’s former Minister of Information and Communication Prof. Dora Akunyili, who threw up the rebranding Nigeria project that gathered momentum during her era, but fizzled out after her exit.

However, despite the repositioning of  Nigeria through various economic and political reforms, including NEEDS and the laudable Heart of Africa project, copied from Malawi, Nigeria continued to be branded  a nation of criminals and fraudsters, instead of a nation of accomplished, decorated and honoured athletes; renowned award –winning artists, writers (including Nobel laureate), scientists, scholars, and diplomats; with vibrant cultures, and a proud heritage

Today, the Nigeria film industry and Nigeria’s, Chioma Ude,  Project Director/ C.E.O  of AFRIFF  is spear heading the  Africa International Film Festival (AFRIF) to be hosted in Lagos, stands to achieve certain set of objectives. To an average onlooker, it is just another festival like others before it. But to a discerning mind this is far from ordinary festival.

This festival, like the last Under 17 World cup, will once again serve as a kind of Lacanian mirror through which the state and Nigeria will be viewed across the world.

Besides, the festival also will showcase the hitherto under-utilised and under-focused eco-tourism of the state and Nigeria

Speaking  over  the  weekend  in Lagos  at  the signing of  an  Memoradum of Understanding (Mo U)  between  AFRIF organizers and  Arik  Air  to air lift guest to the festival, Ude said the synergy between  both organizations will  bring seamlessness  to travel  and  comfort  of  several  key  guests  and  stars and  participants  coming  into  Nigeria  to  grace  the festival  in  November this year.  .

The partnership according  to  Ude , is  that,  Arik Air  will  be  providing  for  AFRIFF, tickets  for  all guests  to travel to  the  festival  at  half  the  price.

Also,  free  business class tickets  would  be  given  out  as  prices in a  draw  to   some  winners  at  the  upcoming  event.

Also speaking, Mr. Bert Van der Stege  Vice President,  Planning and Marketing of Arik Air, at the  signing of  the MoU,  pointed out  that  the  air is the avant-garde in providing quality aviation services.