Connect with us

News

Cross River moves to restructure Calabar Carnival after 20 years

Published

2 months ago

on

Cross River State Government has put plans in motion to restructure the annual Calabar Carnival after 20 years of existence.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Nsa Gill, said this in a statement to newsmen in Calabar on Sunday.

He said that the Governor Bassey Otu-led government had setup a 13-member carnival review committee headed by Chief Edem Duke, a former Minister of Culture.

Gill said that the review committee had a 10-point terms of reference, and that its report would be delivered within two weeks.

According to him, the essence of the review is to improve the standard of the carnival, and to align it with global trends in tourism product development and repackaging.

“The review is aimed at restructuring the carnival, which showcases one of the world’s finest display of arts, culture, and tradition.

“The committee is also to review the past 20 years of the carnival in order to identify the high points and the low points.

“The committee is to identify the success factors of the last 20 years, restructure the bands as a creative entity, and explore organic ways of improving the carnival,” the statement read in parts.

The governor’s aide further said that the committee would advise the government on how to improve regulations and the organisation of the event to align with world best practices.

“Another task of the committee is to harness marketing opportunities in order to improve funding, and to give the event its deserved international visibility.

It would be recalled that the Calabar Carnival was initiated in 2005 by the administration of Donald Duke, a former governor of the state.(NAN)

ALSO READ:  North-West Youth Hail Tinubu For Nominating Matawalle
Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

Wike summons Julius Berger, AIC, FCDA, over contract discrepancy

Published

7 hours ago

on

April 23, 2025

By

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has expressed displeasure over contract discrepancy in the execution of the rehabilitation of the Abuja International Conference Centre (AICC).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the contract for the total rehabilitation of the AICC was awarded to Julius Berger in April 2024.

Wike, while inspecting the project in Abuja on Wednesday, however expressed surprise that the supply of furniture for the conference hall had been given to another company.

The minister, thereafter, summoned the heads of Julius Berger, Abuja Investment Company Ltd (AICL), and the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) to explain what happened.

Wike, who commended Julius Berger for the quality of job so far, however, queried how the contract for the furnishing of the conference hall was taken away from it.

“The work was going as expected, the only problem we identified this afternoon has to do with the furniture that will be in the conference hall.

“I was surprised to hear that there is a different contractor for that which is unacceptable to us. The job was given to Julius Berger entirely. I cannot have different qualities.

“That is why I summoned the officials to come and tell us who did that, and on whose approval; because I approved the contract, I know the amount of money involved.

“So, when they say Abuja investment is the one, who is going to pay for it?

“I am not going to accept that, and of course, you know, if anything shoddy went on, you will hear that I have applied the big stick. Nobody will be a sacred cow,” he said.

ALSO READ:  Police detain man with fresh human head in Edo

Wike stressed that he would not have two different contractors furnishing the same edifice.

This, he said, could affect the quality of the delivery.

“We cannot say that the gallery was furnished by Julius Berger and the conference hall furnished by another company. It is unacceptable to me.

“Nobody should do something that he knows is not in tandem with what we have agreed,” Wike said.

The minister also inspected the ongoing construction of Interchange at NICON Junction and the construction of Shehu Shagari Way (N16) to connect with Wole Soyinka Way.

He expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of the project, stressing that the project would be ready for inauguration in May.

Wike assured the people living in the area that the FCTA would continue to do all it can to make sure that the projects were completed on schedule.(NAN)

Continue Reading

News

Matawalle Receives Bosnian Prime Minister , Strengthens Defence Ties

Published

8 hours ago

on

April 23, 2025

By

In a diplomatic engagement aimed at bolstering international cooperation, the Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammad Matawalle, MON, welcomed a high-level delegation from Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday.

The delegation, led by the Prime Minister of the Goražde Region, Mr. Edin Ćulov, was received at the Ministry of Defence headquarters in Abuja.

The visit, as confirmed by Matawalle’s media aide Ahmad Dan-Wudil, marks a significant step in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to deepen bilateral ties with global partners who share its commitment to security and sustainable development.

Representatives from Rain Integrated Nigeria Ltd, headed by Alhaji Alhassan, were also present at the meeting, underscoring the involvement of private sector stakeholders in driving international cooperation.

During the engagement, Dr. Matawalle conveyed the unwavering support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for international partnerships that enhance Nigeria’s defence infrastructure and contribute to peace and stability on a regional and global scale.

“Nigeria remains open to strategic collaborations that fortify our national security and promote lasting peace,” the Minister stated, highlighting the government’s intent to foster meaningful alliances with like-minded nations.

ALSO READ:  Cholera: FCT schools take precautionary measures
Continue Reading

National

Nigeria Commits to Homegrown Military Solutions, Says Matawalle

Published

14 hours ago

on

April 23, 2025

By

The honorable Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Muhammad Matawalle, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to advancing local defence production and military innovation through strategic partnerships with the private sector.

Speaking during a meeting with the leadership of Homeland Protectors and Supplies Ltd, led by Chairman Muhammad Ali bin Aadi, at the Ministry of Defence in Abuja, Matawalle outlined plans for a long-term joint venture between the company and the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON).

The discussions, held at Ship House, focused on capacity-building training and the deployment of advanced technological solutions to strengthen Nigeria’s defence and security framework.

In a statement issued by his Personal Assistant on Media, Ahmad Dan-Wudil, Matawalle emphasised that such collaborations align with the newly enacted DICON Act, signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The legislation mandates that all military procurement be channelled through DICON, cementing its pivotal role in Nigeria’s defence industrial ecosystem.

“The Federal Government is dedicated to enhancing indigenous capabilities in defence production,” Matawalle said, underscoring the importance of private sector involvement in achieving these goals.

The partnership is expected to bolster Nigeria’s ability to address security challenges through homegrown solutions, reducing reliance on foreign military imports.

ALSO READ:  President Weah Kicks Off Reelection Campaign Amid Growing Hopes for Consolidation
Continue Reading