Plans to hold 60th Havana on course

Olamide, one of the artiste who have graced the Havana stage

Preparations are in top gear for the 60th edition of Havana, the prestigious annual carnival hosted by the Sigma Club, University of Ibadan. Towards this end, G’ENNIE Leisure Inc, the event organisers, are plotting on selling the Havana brand to corporate sponsors.
Mr. Akin Olaiya, the CEO of Ambitus, one of Havana’s marketing partners told journalists in Lagos on Wednesday that they are considering how sponsors can gain economically as publicity alone does not bring in sponsors these days.
After a meeting in Surulere, Lagos, which had six agency representatives and the CEO of a popular musical network present, it was agreed that a shot be taken at activating an event that could allow sponsors six weeks of exclusive marketing opportunity pre-Havana finale so that products and services would be successfully marketed by intending sponsors.
“We know that it will be a grand event once we are able to get sponsors,” said Sigma Chief, Loyalist Damilola Oyebayo, expressing confidence in holding a landmark Havana sometime this year.
“For the companies that have showed interest in sponsoring Havana, we thank them. We shall hold a successful event when it eventually happens.”
Though the venue and date of the carnival as well as the expected artistes are yet to be disclosed, Corporate Affairs Manager of G’ENNIE Leisure Inc, Ms Kemi Onojobi, said that only six musicians will be featured at this 60th edition of Havana for six hours of non-stop music.
Sigma Club was founded by six undergraduates in 1950, two years after the University of Ibadan came into existence. In order to fund the charitable causes of the club, it birthed the Havana Musical Carnival in 1955.