Toni Kan becomes the first Nigerian writer to be honoured as a brand ambassador

Great times are indeed here for the Nigerian creative industry as famous writer and poet, and co-founder of popular website www.sabinews.com, Toni Kan, has signed an endorsement deal with Samsung Electronics West Africa to promote their newly launched Samsung Galaxy Note 5.

The former editor of Hints magazine, author of the critically acclaimed ‘Nights of the Creaking Bed, PR executive, blogger and teacher was formally introduced at an interactive event which took place at Nike Art Center in Lekki, Lagos and was hosted by R&B artiste, Banky W.

With the unveiling, Toni Kan becomes the first Nigerian writer to be so honoured in a country where musicians and actors as well as other players in the knowledge economy are routinely favoured over writers.

Speaking at the event, Brovo Kim, the Managing Director of Samsung Electronics West Africa who recommended the high end device to Nigerian creatives said “the Galaxy Note 5 is an enabler of Nigerian dreams…and guarantees you freedom to dream and bring your dream to life.”

Before introducing Toni Kan, Emmanoiul Revematas, Director of Information Technology and Mobile described Toni Kan as “one of Nigeria’s most prominent writers and author of the hugely popular and critically acclaimed “Nights of the Creaking Bed.”

Kan says the recognition from Samsung is endorsement for all Nigerian writers

In his comments at the event, Toni Kan in endorsing the Note 5 said: “With my Note 5, I can never lose an idea or train of thought. It is my notepad, my recorder and my camera and the stylus works on the screen, even when I am running out of battery. This recognition from Samsung is endorsement for all Nigerian writers because it means that writers are finally getting recognition as bona-fide practitioners in the knowledge economy. Our work and our practice as writers lasts the longest unlike movies or music, musicians or actors yet we are usually treated as the poor cousins. This, hopefully, will chart a fresh path thanks to Samsung.”

The news generated massive buzz on Facebook with almost 1,000 comments and likes and shares in under five hours and comments from Nigerian and African writers. Binyavanga Wainana in his comment after sharing the news on his Facebook wall wrote: “Most hard-working space-making freelance writer of our times. Salute Tony Toni Kan.”

Under the terms of the six month agreement, Toni Kan will provide noteworthy quotes and his image for Samsung’s use in promoting the high end product which the company believes is a critical tool for all creative people whether writers or artists, bloggers or architects.