First Bank Nigeria co-sponsors Afro-pop show on US radio

The show highlights “the latest culture trends, topical conversations and music from Africa, including urban fusion sounds from the Western world”, with its first edition airing on the Chicago based Power 92.3 FM on 5 February.

Since then the show has taken two hours weekly, starting from 10pm every Sunday. According to a statement by the programme, its guest line-up will include “top DJs in Chicago, artists of African descent, artist from the US, top international bloggers, key celebrity speakers, industry leaders, celebrities from the movie and film industry as well as record labels”.

The growing global appeal of African pop music has occasioned the interest of corporate Nigeria. By partnering with Zons PR to sponsor AfroZons, First Bank has joined a number of corporate establishments such as MTN and Nigerian Breweries to work actively within the Nigerian pop culture scene.

The group head, marketing and corporate communications at First Bank, Folake Ani-Mumuney, said the bank remained “a vibrant promoter” of culture, as the bank itself had accrued a considerable heritage in the more than 120 years of its existence.

AfroZons is hosted by Sheila Okonji Ashinze, known on air as SheilaO. She doubles as founder of Zons PR. The host station, Power 92.3, has contributed to the launch of several careers, including that of Kanye West and Chance the Rapper.