Hit FM has announced FirstBank as the official partner for Calabar Entertainment Conference 2025.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that Hit FM, the leading radio station in Cross River State and convener of the Calabar Entertainment Conference (CEC), has announced First Bank of Nigeria Limited as the official banking partner for its flagship youth engagement initiative in the creative sector.
Now in its ninth edition since its launch in 2017, CEC has grown into a major platform for dialogue, innovation, and collaboration within Nigeria’s creative economy. This year’s event is scheduled for October 17–18, 2025, at Hogis Royale, Calabar, and will bring together young talents, industry leaders, investors, and policymakers to explore opportunities, address challenges, and chart new pathways for sustainable growth.
Speaking on the upcoming conference, Patrick Ugbe, CEO of Hit FM and Executive Producer of CEC, stressed the importance of deliberate support for the creative sector.
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“The sector has not been in more urgent need of interventions that facilitate capacity building, funding, distribution, and thought leadership,” he said.
FirstBank’s Commitment to Youth and Creativity
The partnership underscores FirstBank’s continued investment in youth empowerment, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
Ugbe noted:
“By coming on board as the Official Bank, FirstBank further demonstrates its role as a catalyst for growth, fostering financial inclusion and nurturing creativity among young Nigerians.”
Also speaking on the collaboration, Olayinka Ijabiyi, Acting Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications at FirstBank, said the initiative aligns with the bank’s long-standing support for platforms that empower young people.
“Through our First@Arts initiative, we are leveraging platforms like the Calabar Entertainment Conference to unlock opportunities in the creative industry while promoting innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship as key drivers of Nigeria’s future.”
Conference Highlights
The two-day event will feature keynote speeches, masterclasses, panel discussions, and networking sessions, offering participants practical insights and resources to transform their creative ideas into sustainable ventures.
