AMAN as a creative industries platform turned thirty recently. In this interview, the publisher Karifest International Magazine, Lady Karifest Duchess Onyekaah Esq. had a chat with the AMAN president Collins Ifeanyi Onwuneme Ajereh Enebeli a.k.a Mavin Grandpa.
Excerpts:
AMAN AT THIRTY
Karifest: AMAN IS Celebrating 30 Years of its Existence. Can You Tell Us What That Means To You?
The AMAN Essence
Mavin Grandpa: I’m glad that I am alive to witness AMAN celebrate its 30 years of existence, considering that not all of us who started the journey are that lucky to see us achieve this milestone. I am particularly grateful to God for making it possible for AMAN to have achieved most of its desired objectives, for which it was founded. Looking ahead into the future, I believe that AMAN will fulfil its mission of being a springboard to stardom, earning for itself a reputation as a credible creative industries platform with an ecosystem that connects our members globally helping them to achieve their career purpose; this is the very essence of birthing AMAN thirty years ago, to be a major player within the creative industries in Nigeria.
Karifest: How Has the Journey Been Like?
Photo Credit: Mavin Grandpa
Mavin Grandpa: We are not completely there yet because we still have so much we want to achieve, but It’s been a very fulfilling endeavour seeing young ones experience massive transformation from scratch to finding and connecting with a global community of creatives that believes so much in them and supports them to achieve career purpose through talent development programs which we undertake in AMAN periodically to enhance their skillset, creative and focus mindset to be the best they can in an industry that is continually evolving.
Karifest: Looking Back with Hindsight, Will You Say That The Formation of AMAN IS A Step In The Right Direction?
Mavin Grandpa: Yes. We had always envisaged that there would be a need for people to collaborate, network, and interface creatively to achieve a mutually beneficial outcome in their quest for professional success. So, looking back today, I can say that AMAN is gradually filling that role by building a community of creatives that sees the need for these objectives to be achieved.
Karifest: Running An Organisation As AMAN, There’s Bound To Be Challenges. What Are Those Challenges?
Mavin Grandpa: Managing human beings is one of the most difficult tasks in running an organisation of such nature. It is obvious that where people from different backgrounds congregate, there will always be challenges borne out of divergent interests arising from the individual agenda of those who want to use the platform to achieve their personal objectives. The ability to get the individuals to be on the same page to understand the need for discipline, commitment, loyalty and compliance to set rules of engagement is very necessary and essential to achieving an atmosphere of peace where everyone can collaborate effort towards achieving mutual respect and peaceful coexistence of members which will ensure that there’s cooperation which is a basic ingredient for growth and success.
Photo Credit: Mavin Grandpa
Finance is another big challenge. You will agree that running an organisation like AMAN, which is self-funded from the voluntary contributions of our members, can be very daunting. But we have managed to get by all these years and will continue to do our best towards achieving our mission for the collective good of our members. However, support is needed to help us do more.
Karifest: As AMAN Celebrates Thirty Years, What Should Be Our Expectations
Mavin Grandpa: The potential for enhanced professional growth of members will be experienced post-AMAN at thirty. The knowledge derived from our various programs will be deployed as a huge asset in enhancing our members’ growth within the creative industries. Secondly, we will be celebrating excellence in the 2nd edition of the AMAN AWARDS. Beyond this, we have an array of programs, presentations, and performances lined up to celebrate AMAN AT THIRTHY. We are also looking forward to opening up more partnerships and relationships with entities that will support the growth of AMAN within the creative industries ecosystem and beyond.
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