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Tinubu reaffirms commitment to position Nigeria’s creative sector
President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed the commitment of his administration to positioning the nation’s creative sector as key driver of Nigeria’s global influence.
Tinubu, represented by the Vice-President Kashim Shettima, stated this during the launch of the 2024 Abuja International Carnival at the Eagle Square, Abuja.
This is contained in a statement issued by the Spokesperson of the Vice-President, Mr Stanley Nkwocha, on Sunday in Abuja.
The President identified the creative economy as a cornerstone of his administration’s economic diversification agenda.
He reaffirmed the carnival’s role in strengthening Nigeria’s position in the global creative economy.
” We are not here just to celebrate a carnival but to reaffirm the essence of who we are as Nigerians, a people of culture, a people of art, a people of colour, and a people of shared values.
” Our creativity continues to shine on the global stage, drawing admiration and respect. This heritage is the truest measure of what it means to be Nigerian—proud, resourceful, and innovative.
” The unifying power of art and culture on display here is a reflection of what we can achieve when we work together,” Tinubu said.
The President emphasised the carnival’s economic impact, noting that Nigeria’s creative industries are already contributing significantly to the nation’s GDP.
“Over the years, this carnival has become a stage for showcasing our rich cultural heritage and a driving force behind our growing creative economy.
” It has revitalised local industries, fostered cultural diplomacy, and contributed immensely to Nigeria’s position as a cultural powerhouse on the global stage,”he said.
Tinubu reinforced Nigeria’s commitment to cultural exchange, saying ” the presence of international participants at the event affirms that culture transcends boundaries.
” It is through cultural exchange that we build bridges of understanding, friendship, and shared humanity. In this carnival, we offer not just a spectacle but a home away from home for our guests,”he said.
He called for deeper reflection on the event’s significance, noting that it is more than mere celebration.
According to him, a carnival of this scale is not merely an occasion for festivities; it is a call to action.
” It reminds us of the pledge we owe to our nation to promote peace, preserve our unity, and contribute, in whatever way we can, to the Nigeria of our dreams.”
He commended the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, and the Creative Economy, the Federal Capital Territory Administration and the Abuja International Carnival Secretariat for their role in organising the event.
Tinubu also praised their “dedication and vision in making the carnival a source of pride for our nation.”
“Our diversity is not just a mark of identity but a powerful force that strengthens our unity and inspires us to dream bigger for our country,” he added.
Earlier, the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa explained that the carnival was a brand that binds Nigerians together.
The minister added that the carnival promotes the nation’s beauty and strength in diversity.
Represented by the Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr Oraelumo Raphael, Musawa described the carnival as a unique brand.
” It involves the 36 states and the FCT, and countries from all over the world, with Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy as the Coordinating Ministry and the FCT as the host.
“The unique aspect of Abuja carnival is the fact that it is a platform for artistic expression, innovation, and cultural exchange among local and international participants,”he said.
The event showcased performances from across Nigeria and beyond, demonstrating the administration’s commitment to cultural diplomacy. (NAN)
A group of concerned citizens has raised the alarm over an alleged plot to sabotage President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reforms on local refineries.
The group, Concerned Nigerians led by its National Coordinator Obinna Francis, claims to have uncovered a sinister plot to stop the supply of crude oil to domestic refineries.
According to Francis, the plot is being orchestrated by a cabal within the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), in collaboration with importers of fake petrol.
The group alleges that this cabal is seeking to undermine the government’s economic reforms, which have led to a significant reduction in fuel prices and a subsequent decrease in the cost of food items.
The concerned citizens believe that the plot is driven by a desire to return Nigeria to the era of petrol importation and the reintroduction of subsidies.
They argue that cutting off crude oil supply to domestic refineries would create a shortage of refined products, forcing the country to import fuel.
The group claims that the cabal has been manipulating officials in the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) to justify the planned refusal to supply crude oil to local refineries.
They also allege that the cabal has the support of individuals seeking regime change, who hope to capitalize on public anger and protests to bring down the government.
Francis added: “The members of the cabal, working through certain officials of NNPCL, have been manipulating their colleagues in the NUPRC, which has responsibility for overseeing the supply of crude oil to refineries in Nigeria.
“Their plot includes sabotaging exploration and distribution infrastructure to justify the planned refusal to cut off crude supplies. This unholy alliance has the support of individuals who have been angling for a regime change.
“Our suspicion is that while the NNPCL/NUPRC cabal pursue the monetary gains of truncating the steady supply of refined products, their political wing anticipates that a disruption in refining capacity would lead to petrol scarcity, drive fuel prices up and hike food prices with the attendant anger against the government of the day.
“They desire to weaponize such public anger into anti-government protests that would bring the administration down. We are concerned that if not stopped, this plot will undo all the gains that have been made in the implementation of economic reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government and doom us all.
“We are further concerned that such a plot at this critical time of our economic evolution would plunge the country into an abyss from which it may never resurface.”
The concerned citizens are calling on President Tinubu and the Department of State Services (DSS) to intervene and prevent the plot from being executed. They praised the president’s economic reforms, which have driven Nigeria towards energy sustainability and revived the oil industry.
The group warned that if the plot is not stopped, it would undo all the gains made by the government and plunge the country into economic chaos.
They urged the president to ensure that no one in NNPCL, NUPRC, or any other connected agency undermines the achievements recorded in the sector.
Actor-turned-politician Desmond Elliot has become a hot topic online after a video surfaced showing his emotional reaction on Monday, shortly after Mojisola Meranda resigned as Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Earlier, SPEARNEWS reported that Ms Meranda announced her resignation during a plenary session.
Following her resignation, the impeached Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, was reinstated to his former position.
In a viral video, Mr Elliot, who represents Surulere Constituency 1 in the Assembly, was emotional over Ms Meranda’s resignation.
Dressed in a black native outfit, the 51-year-old attempted to deliver a farewell speech but was overcome with emotion and struggled to hold back tears.
At one point in the viral video, he found it difficult to continue speaking and requested that another lawmaker take the floor while he composed himself.
“Madam Speaker, can you allow others to speak first?” he asked.
Ms Meranda responded, “Have your seat,” prompting him to sit down, covering his face with one hand as he wiped away tears.
Seyi Lawal, an All Progressives Congress (APC) representative from Ikeja Constituency 1, was granted permission to speak in place of Mr Elliot, who has served in the House since April 2015.
Kano State government has made arrangements to feed 91,000 people in 91 designated centres during the 2025 Ramadan Feeding Programme.
Flagging off the feeding programme in m Fagge Local Government Area on Sunday evening, the Deputy Governor and Chairman of the programme, Alhaji Aminu Abdulsalam, said that that the initiative would run for 27 days.
He said that the programme was aimed at supporting vulnerable residents and would provide daily iftar meals to fasting Muslims, alleviating the challenges faced during Ramadan.
“Since the assumption of office, Gov. Abba Kabir-Yusuf, has institutionalised this initiative to support vulnerable residents by providing daily iftar meals during the holy month of Ramadan.
“The programme, which is part of the state’s annual humanitarian efforts, aims to alleviate the difficulties faced by fasting Muslims during Ramadan.
“Recognising the needs of the state’s large population of Ramadan observers, the Kano State Government remains committed to ensuring that relief reaches those in need,” he explained.
Abdulsalam expressed satisfaction with the seamless commencement of the initiative.
He further urged the catering companies involved to ensure prompt and efficient delivery of meals to all feeding centers, in order to achieve the programme’s objectives.
Abdulsalam was accompanied by key officials, including the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Waiya, as well as his counterpart in the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Sheikh Tijjani Auwal. (NAN)