UNITED Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has signed a major deal to become lead sponsor of the forthcoming African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) scheduled for Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

The agreement is a three-year package reported to be the largest investment by any financial institution in the movie industry till date.

Peace Anyiam Fiberesima, chief executive officer of AMAA, said that the deal would open up the industry and attract other serious investors from within and outside Nigeria to take advantage of an industry that is rapidly expanding.

She noted that AMAA intends to use the event to send a strong message that Africa was ready to take its rightful place on the world stage where the movie industry is a huge revenue earner and a source for creation of hundreds of jobs.

She said details of the agreement would be unveiled publicly soon and that getting UBA as lead sponsor would ensure that this year's awards ceremony meets world class standards.

This year's event will be attended by top stars from around the world and the venue, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State is to show that the Niger Delta is very safe place to conduct business, she added.