FirstBank Partners Hit FM as Official Bank Sponsor of Calabar Entertainment Conference

FirstBank Partners Hit FM as Official Bank Sponsor of Calabar Entertainment Conference

First Bank of Nigeria Limited has been unveiled as the official bank partner of the Calabar Entertainment Conference (CEC), an annual flagship youth engagement program organized by Hit FM, Cross River State’s leading radio station.

Now in its ninth year, the conference—slated for October 17 and 18 at Hogis Royale, Calabar—is designed to bring together young talents, industry leaders, investors, and policymakers to explore opportunities, tackle challenges, and chart a sustainable growth path for Nigeria’s creative economy.

Speaking on the significance of this year’s edition, Hit FM’s CEO and Executive Producer of CEC, Patrick Ugbe, stressed that the creative sector has “never been in more urgent need of interventions that facilitate capacity building, funding, distribution, and thought leadership.”

Ugbe praised FirstBank for its involvement, noting that the bank’s support would strengthen access to financial inclusion and creativity among Nigerian youth.

> “By coming on board as the Official Bank, FirstBank further demonstrates its role as a catalyst for growth, providing financial inclusion and fostering creativity among young Nigerians,” he said.

FirstBank, which has a track record of backing innovation and entrepreneurship, said its partnership underscores the bank’s commitment to empowering young people across sectors.

Olayinka Ijabiyi, Acting Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications at FirstBank, remarked:

> “At FirstBank, we are passionate about supporting platforms that empower young people and nurture talent. Our partnership with the Calabar Entertainment Conference aligns with our drive to promote innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship as key drivers of Nigeria’s future.”

Ijabiyi further highlighted the bank’s First@Arts initiative, aimed at consolidating support for the creative industry, adding that the Calabar Entertainment Conference provides a vital platform for stakeholders to explore the sector’s vast opportunities.

The two-day event will feature keynote addresses, panel discussions, masterclasses, and networking sessions, all curated to inspire and equip participants to fully harness the potentials of Nigeria’s creative economy.