Economic Confidential, June 27, 2009

NEWS

12 Ambassadors: Unity Bank doles out 12 Picantos

Fast-growing banking group, Unity Bank Plc, is set to host the eagerly-awaited award ceremony for winners of The 12 Ambassadors TV reality show aimed at discovering new movie stars in Nigeria.

A statement issued by the Corporate Affairs Department of the bank said that the award ceremony would be held at Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja on Monday July 22, 2009.

The statement, which was signed by Ahmed Shekarau, Head, Corporate Communications, also said the Minister of Information and Communications, Professor Dora Akunyili, will be the special guest at the occasion.

After many months of hard work and gruelling tasks, the successful housemates of The 12 Ambassadors will savour the taste of victory as they take possession of their prizes.  

In keeping with its vision and philosophy of Succeeding Together, Unity Bank, sole sponsor of the talent hunt show, will be giving out 12 brand new Kia Picanto cars to the winners of the show at what promises to be a colourful ceremony.

Already, preparations are in top gear to ensure that the event goes smoothly from start to finish. Also, Paul Obazele, actor and managing director of Royal Pictures who spearheaded The 12 Ambassadors project, will be on hand during the presentation of the cars to the winners, alongside Nollywood great minds like Zack Orji and others.

Meanwhile, Unity Bank has since taken delivery of the cars to be given to the awardees and, in keeping with the terms of the sponsorship agreement, the cars have all been branded in Unity Bank’s colours and logo.

The 12 Ambassadors reality show, a one-of-its-kind programme, set new qualitative standards in the screening, selection and judging of new talents in the art of acting.  Thousands of young people in the 18-25 year-old bracket indicated interest in becoming one of the 12 chosen ones through the purchase of a special Nollywood scratch card. This number was gradually whittled down to 20 from where the final12 emerged.