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NAFEST 2024 To Hold In FCT To Resonate Unity- Asika

By
Koko Lawrence
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The Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Obi Asika, says the 2024 edition of the National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST) will be held in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).


He disclosed this in an interview with newsmen on Sunday in Abuja.


NAFEST, a flagship programme of NCAA, is acclaimed to be a veritable cultural platform for promoting national unity, mutual acceptance and peaceful co-existence among Nigerians, irrespective of ethnic, culture and religious differences.


According to Asika, the 2024 edition of the annual cultural fiesta which is the first under his watch as director-general of NCAC, will be held in the nation’s capital to resonate the call for national unity.


He said the FCT edition was symbolic of the “Renewed Hope Agenda” of President Bola Tinubu’s administration and will chart new trajectory for the cultural fiesta.
He added that NAFEST had come a long way, and it was high time it was improved with new innovations and packaged to attract larger audiences, including the diaspora community.


“This year’s NAFEST will be hosted in the FCT and we are trying to inolve all stakeholders, especially the FCT authority because we need collaborations,.
“Abuja, first of all is a beautiful city, and then is Nigeria’s capital, so, we are set to give it the global media attention it deserves.
“The festival will be revamped with some key elements and initiatives that are brand new, and it will be exciting because it will be another way to showcase incredible things that Nigeria has to offer.
“Nigeria is a melting point of incredible contents and talents, and most of these have just been happening randomly without any real organizational support from the government.
“But all of that have changed and the deliverables and roadmap are being put together and we are just beginning implementation,” he said.
The NCAC helmsman said that culture was a veritable tool for economic transformation, adding that innovations to boost economic activities in the FCT and Nigeria at large would be introduced into the festival.
“Besides its entertainment benefits and what it represents nationally, NAFEST can be a source of national revenue as obtainable in other climes.”
According to him, youth participation shall be encouraged by ensuring that Nigeria music stars from across the country perform at the festival.
“We want expansion of culture, business expansion, economic expansion in the territory and then in every other edition of the festival.


Asika said the seventh edition of the annual International Arts and Crafts Festival (INAC), also a flagship programme of the NCAC, will also be repositioned to have more international participation.


“INAC is going to run for at least two weeks in our arts village toward the end of the year, and that will be after NAFEST, which is holding for a week.


“We really need to get more African countries on board for INAC, we want their participation, as we already have countries outside the continent among participants,” he said.

Stay Calm Super Eagles Are Beatable, Gernot Rohr Tells Upset-Seeking Cheetahs Of Benin

By
Emenike Agu
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What a twist of fate! Gernot Rohr, the former Nigerian manager now leading the Cheetahs of Benin to stay calm as they face the Super Eagles in a 2026 World Cup qualifying duel.

Obviously, he has seen the precarious situations of his former team even as he hopes to exploit the weaknesses he had observed from the players, most of whom had trained under him.

According to La Nation, a newspaper in Benin Republic, Rohr has told the Cheetahs to stay calm as the Super Eagles are beatable.

He told them that a defeat of the Super Eagles will help the current third place Group C team to consolidate while compounding the Super Eagles’ woes.

The Franco-German technician recognizes the strengths of this Nigerian team, unfortunate finalist of the Afcon 2023 but believes in the ability of his Beninous players.

The Benin Republic confidence is further buoyed by their ability to hold African champions, Cote d’Ivoire to 2-2 draw three months ago and their defeat of the Amavubi of Rwanda last Thursday.

  They are however conscious of the fact that the Super Eagles will be determined to regained their esteem after their ego had been brutally bruised by the trio of Lesotho, Zimbabwe and South Africa.

Another Day Of Reckoning For Under-Performing Super Eagles

By
Emenike Agu
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Draw specialists, Super Eagles of Nigeria have another opportunity to get their World Cup qualification back on course as they face the Cheetahs of Benin at the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan.

This is part of the Match Day 4 series of the World Cup qualifying duels in Africa. The Super Eagles are yet to win any match so far.

It is the first time in 64 years that a Nigerian team had gone through three  World Cup qualifying matches without winning any.

 Will they extend their no-win streak to four this Monday as they face Gernot Rohr’s trained Benin Republic team. Rohr, a Franco-German coach was previously with Nigeria and was the coach when Nigeria knocked out Benin in the qualifying sereis for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.

Now his allegiance has taken a new turn. He is now working to further complicate the precarious situations the under-performing Super Eagles have found themselves.

Rohr’s Knowledge Of Super Eagles Will Confuse Him, Says Ndidi

By
Emenike Agu
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Acting skipper of the Super Eagles, Wilfred Ndidi is positive of his team getting a good result in the World Cup qualifying match with Benin Republic this Monday evening in Abidjan.

In an audio clip of the interview he had with the team’s new media officer, Promise Efoghe, Ndidi remarked that himself and the rest of the squad knew why they are in Abidjan and that they will achieve their objective.

The Super Eagles face the Cheetahs of Benin at 5pm Nigerian time. The Benin team is being handled by Gernot Rohr who managed the Super Eagles for five years – the longest single spell any coach ever had with the team.

 It is therefore expected that he have inside information about the Super Eagles. Ndidi has dispelled the notion that that will offer Benin an advantage.

“Yes, he coached us for five years and we know he is a good coach. Facing him is a motivation for us”, remarked the acting skipper.

“We know he will plan to win based on his information about us, but we are approaching the game with a winning mentality mindset. We are in very high spirit”, the mid-fielder remarked.

Super Eagles Focused On Benin, Says Finidi

By
Emenike Agu
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Super Eagles head coach Finidi George says they have put behind them Friday’s 1-1 draw with Bafana Bafana of South Africa, and focusing on their next opponent Republic of Benin.

Looking for their first win of the FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, Nigeria could only limp to a lame 1-1 draw against the visiting Bafana Bafana.

He said during the post-match interview: “We started sloppy in the first half, we took over the game immediately we scored in the second half. We missed chances; overall it was not a bad second half for us. The players reacted well in the second half, but it was not the best result we wanted, we have to get our heads up and work for the next game (Benin Republic). I am not happy about the point.”

Nigeria will next trade tackles with the Benin Republic on Monday, in what is a reunion with former Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr.

Rohr’s Benin boast four points from three games, one better than Nigeria’s tally from the same number of matches.

In a game of two contrasting halves, South Africa dominated the opening 45 minutes and were unlucky to head to the halftime break with only Themba Zwane’s excellent strike to show for their industry and invention.

The Super Eagles, however, flew out of the blocks after the break and equalized in the 46th minute through Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, who was making

Euro 2024: Haaland, Rashford, 20 Other Big Stars To Miss Out

By
Emenike Agu
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As the UEFA Euro 2024 tournament approaches, anticipation is building for the footballing showpiece set to take place in Germany from June 14 to July 14, 2024.

However, while the competition promises to showcase Europe’s best talent, several high-profile players will be notable absentees due to many factors ranging from being dropped by their coaches to their nations failing to qualify.

Leading the list of star players who will miss out on Euro 2024 is Norwegian sensation Erling Haaland, one of the most prolific strikers in world football. Haaland’s absence, alongside compatriot Martin Odegaard, will undoubtedly disappoint fans eagerly awaiting their potential impact on the grand stage.

England, despite their rich talent pool, will be without the services of Marcus Rashford, Jack Grealish, Reece James, Harry Maguire, James Maddison, Jadon Sancho and Ben White, as head coach Gareth Southgate named his final team omitting them.

Germany, the host nation, will also be missing some key figures, with Mats Hummels and Serge Gnabry absent.

Other notable absentees include Belgium’s Thibaut Courtois, France’s Lucas Hernandez and Christopher Nkunku, Spain’s Pablo Gavi, Austria’s David Alaba, Italy’s Sandro Tonali, Portugal’s Raphael Guerreiro, and Sweden’s Alexander Isak.

Despite the absence of these stars, the Euro 2024 tournament is set to be a thrilling spectacle.

As the host nation, Germany will be eager to impress on home soil, having secured the right to host the prestigious event in 2018, beating out a rival bid from Turkey in a decision seen as favouring a “safer” option.

The tournament is set to kick off in Munich on June 14 and culminate with the final in Berlin on July 14.

Full List of absentee include;

1. Erling Haaland (Norway)
2. Marcus Rashford (England)
3. Jack Grealish (England)
4. Reece James (England)
5. Mats Hummels (Germany)
6. Martin Odegaard (Norway)
7. Thibaut Courtois (Belgium)
8. Harry Maguire (England)
9. Lucas Hernandez (France)
10. James Maddison (England)
11. Pablo Gavi (Spain)
12. Serge Gnabry (Germany)
13. David Alaba (Austria)
14. Jadon Sancho (England)
15. Christopher Nkunku (France)
16. Leon Goretzka (Germany)
17. Sandro Tonali (ltaly)
18. Ben White (England)
19. Raphael Guerreiro (Portugal)
20. Alexander lsak (Sweden)

Olympic Day Celebrations Hold June 29, Says NOC Scribe

By
Emenike Agu
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The Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), on Sunday, said the annual Olympic Day celebration would be held on June 29 across the country.

The Olympic Day is a global event that commemorates the birth of the modern Olympic Movement, founded by Pierre de Coubertin in 1894.

Secretary-General of the NOC, Babatunde Popoola, said this year’s celebration holds special significance as it precedes the highly anticipated Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

”It’s where Nigerian athletes will compete and inspire the world with their achievements.

”Olympic Day is a chance for people of all ages and abilities to experience the magic of the Olympic Games in their own communities.

”It’s an ideal platform to highlight the benefits of physical activity and the Olympic values of excellence, friendship, and respect,” Popoola said.

Popoola said that NOC had received positive responses from various states and stakeholders, and preparations were well underway for the nationwide celebration.

He added that no fewer than 21 states and the Federal Capital Territory have indicated their plans to organise activities for the event.

The states are: Abia; Anambra; Bayelsa; Delta; Edo; Enugu; Ebonyi; Lagos; Kogi; Gombe; Jigawa; Kebbi; Kano; Kwara; Taraba; Imo; Ondo; Plateau; Rivers; Nasarawa; and Osun

Also speaking, the Chairman of the NOC Sport For All Commission, Abdul Ibrahim, said that Olympic Day was a special day to come together, move together, and learn about the Olympic values.

”We encourage everyone to participate and experience the joy that only sport can bring,” he said.

According to him, a series of activities have been lined up in Lagos, with fitness clubs at the National Stadium Complex and the general public gearing up to take part in the global event.

”The celebration will conclude with the presentation of diplomas signed by the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Thomas Bach.

”The President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Engr. Habu Ahmed Gumel and other dignitaries will officially flag off the event in Abuja,” he added.

Ibrahim said that the NOC also encouraged corporate and philanthropic individuals to support the celebration through financial or product donations, as it would provide valuable exposure for their companies.

IPOB Threatens to Sue If Labelled As Terrorist Group

By
Rhoda Onuzulike
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The lead counsel of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Aloy Ejimakor, on Friday warned the Presidency, Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police, and Nigerians to desist from referring to the group as a terrorist organization.

Ejimakor warned that such a defamatory and prejudicial label attached to IPOB would be “met and countervailed with muscular litigation and other lawful measures.”

He based this warning on a subsisting judgment of a High Court in Nigeria, which ruled that the proscription/declaration of IPOB as a terrorist group by the past administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari is illegal, discriminatory, and unconstitutional.

IPOB attacks Army base in Imo

In a statement he signed, Ejimakor said: “Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s Legal Team is under firm instructions from our client to issue this final warning to all persons and institutions still referring to IPOB as a terrorist organization.

“Henceforth, any further reference to IPOB as a terrorist organization will be met and countervailed with muscular litigation and other lawful measures, regardless of the entity involved. This is because there is a subsisting judgment of a competent High Court in Nigeria (attached herewith) which ruled that IPOB’s proscription/declaration as a terrorist group by Buhari is illegal, discriminatory, and unconstitutional. Compliance with this judgment strictly demands that IPOB should no longer be referred to as a terrorist organization.

“Additionally, those labeling IPOB as a terrorist organization have not provided any evidence that IPOB has engaged in any terrorist activity. This is underscored by the fact that since the so-called proscription of IPOB in 2017, no single alleged IPOB member has been convicted of any terrorist act, despite thousands of arrests, abductions, torture, false flags, and extrajudicial killings levied against its alleged members.

“Accordingly, we hereby demand that the general public, the Presidency, the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police, and any erring media houses should forthwith cease and desist from attaching such defamatory and prejudicial labels to IPOB led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”

MultiChoice Rejects Court’s Ruling, Set To Appeal Verdict

By
Rhoda Onuzulike
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MultiChoice Nigeria has rejected the ruling of the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal (CCPT) regarding its jurisdiction to entertain a price regulation matter.

The CCPT had on Friday fined MultiChoice N150 million for disobeying its order on subscription rates hike for DStv and Gotv packages.

The tribunal, sitting in Abuja, also ordered the PayTv operator to give a one-month free subscription to all its Nigerian subscribers on the DStv and Gotv platforms, for flouting its order.

Multichoice Raises DStv, GOtv Subscription Prices

The three-member tribunal chaired by Thomas Okosun in a ruling, found Multichoice culpable of contempt, by flouting its earlier order restraining the PayTv operator from implementing hike in its subscription rates for DStv and GOtv.

The Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal (CCPT) had, on April 29, restrained MultiChoice from increasing its tariffs and cost of products and services scheduled to begin on May 1.

The tribunal gave the interim order following an ex-parte motion moved by Ejiro Awaritoma, counsel for the applicant, Festus Onifade.

But MultiChoice, in a statement on Friday disagreed with the ruling, saying it would file an appeal against the ruling.

“MultiChoice Nigeria is aware of the recent ruling by the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal (CCPT) regarding its jurisdiction to entertain a price regulation matter.

“We disagree with the ruling and will therefore file an appeal against said ruling. As the matter is currently sub Judice, we are restrained from making further comments,” the company said.

Fed. Govt. Offers Labour N62,000 As New Minimum Wage

By
Rhoda Onuzulike
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The Federal Government said it has offered Organised Labour N62, 000 as the new national minimum wage for workers in the country.

Imo state Governor, Hope Uzodimma made this known while addressing journalists at at end of the Tripartite Committee negotiation meeting on Friday in Abuja.

Uzodimma who spoke on behalf of the governors, said there was progress in the negotiation of the new minimum wage.

Labour Rejects Fg’s Fresh N60,000 Minimum Wage Offer, Insists On N494,000

“We are almost there because are just about to sign the dot and there will be a complete closure. Every other thing will follow.”

“The committee has worked so hard, and the committee has reached an agreement. The tripartite committee is made up of three parties -the government, the Organised Private Sector (OPS) and the organised labour.

“In the wisdom of the committee, it has put together a recommendation that will be forwarded to Mr President for further action.

“The organised private sector and the Federal Government have agreed on N62, 000 while the organised labour is asking for N250, 000.

“At the end of the day what is important is that we are talking. There is no hostility anymore. And the national anxiety is going to be relaxed as soon as this is made public,” he added.

Speaking, Chairman of the Tripartite Committee on the National Minimum Wage, Goni Aji said the recommendation that they had was as a result of a deep dialogue and consensus reached at the Tripartite level.

According to him, the situation that “we are recommending to Mr President, somehow, is repeating itself because it happened in the 2018 exercise.

“In 2018, it was the other way. The organised private sector and the organised labour recommended N30, 000 as minimum wage while the government side recommended N24, 000.

“Two figures were recommended to the then President for his consideration and onward transmission to the National Assembly for it to become a law. That is exactly where we are,” he said.

He added that the mandate of the tripartite committee is to recommend and “has no powers to approve but to recommend.”

Aji said that the recommendation reached came as a result of deeper understanding and studies of all the economic indices and current inflation, state of the economy.

“At the end of the day what is important is that we are still talking,” he noted.

This comes after the organized labour dropped its demand from N494,000 to N250,000.

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