Top Show Promoter, Romaric Boco Cries Out Over Visa Denial By French Embassy
After weeks of planning and massive investment including logistics and publicity, there appears a cloud of uncertainty over the highly-anticipated “Afrobeat Night With LYTA”, a concert slated to hold on December 8th, 2024, in France. The reason behind the sudden change of fortune is not unconnected with the French Embassy refusal to issue entry visa to LYTA who is the headline artist for the December 8th show. According to Romaric Boco, the show organizer, the French Embassy in its letter stated that the reason for the rejection is because “there are reasonable doubts as to your intention to leave the territory of the Member states before the visa expires”.
Describing the reason as laughable, Boco, who is a household name in the entertainment community in France wondered why a well-traveled artist like LYTA who has toured many cities in Europe without any issues would now suddenly turn France to escape route from Nigeria. The show promoter expressed his disappointment over the excuse given by the Embassy to deny his artist an entry visa to France. Explaining further, Boco said he has organized different shows in France this year including the One Benin Fiesta which was headlined by Small Doctor and there were no reports of any of his artistes absconding after the shows. Described as one of Africa’s prides in the entertainment industry in France, Boco has carved a niche for himself as one of the leading show promoters in France. And for years, Boco has continued to contribute his own quota to the economic prosperity of France by bringing top African talents to France in order to promote the entertainment and tourism markets in France. To thank him for his service, Boco is one of the few African show promoters licensed by the French government to operate in France. He has duly paid his dues.
In addition, it’s a well-known fact that December is the peak period for people in the entertainment industry. December is the month where most of the events promoters smile to the bank. It is said that it’s the month where they generate 35% to 45% of their annual turnover. And this is what Boco is about to lose if something is not done urgently to reverse the visa rejection. Already, the rejection has forced Boco to postpone the event originally scheduled for December 8th, 2024, to December 14th in order to give the Embassy the chance to do the needful. To save his investment, Boco has appealed to the French Embassy to consider his track record and travel history of his artist and issue the visa that would enable them to thrill thousands of showbiz lovers in France.
