News

Runsewe, Culture Ambassador of Our Time, Says Gov Lalong

Published

4 years ago

October 14, 2020

Eric

Impressed with the doggedness, organisation, perseverance and innovations brought to bear on Nigeria’s Cultural economy despite the challenges of COVID-19 pandemic, Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has described otunba segun Runsewe DG, NCAC as the authentic Cultural ambassador of Nigeria.

Governor Lalong disclosed that Runsewe’s innovative spirit and determination placed Culture in the front burner of national discourse, ensuring that Nafest, Nigeria’s Cultural festival holds despite the pandemic.

“I can’t but salute the courage and perseverance of the DG of NCAC and President, World Craft Council Africa region and everyone of you for trying to help us to activate the new normal as the pandemic will be with us for a while” the governor stated

Speaking at opening ceremony of the stakeholders meeting on Nafest 2020 slated for Jos in November from 21to28, governor Simon lalong noted that plateau state has put in place necessary machinery to ensure Nafest 2020 in Jos will be more than successful.

“We shall leave no stone unturned to guarantee the safety of the delegates and visitors, most importantly, at the end, share our dream of friendship, partnership and national unity with participants willing ambassadors of plateau tourism and hospitality.” Governor Lalong explained.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Plateau State Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Hospitality, Mrs Martha Joseph Azi, Governor Lalong explained that Plateau hosted NAFEST 24 years ago, adding that the 2020 edition will help birth and show case the rich Cultural heritage the people and the giant stride of his administration to ensure the peaceful coexistence the Plateau nation and the enthronement of enabling environment for Cultural tourism businesses to thrive.

“We are aware that hosting events such as Nafest can bring about improvement in the socioeconomic engagement of our people, boost Cultural tourism which is the main component of our God given endowment” he further explained.

While urging participants to adhere strictly to the COVID-19 protocols, governor Simon lalong reiterated that plateau state government will ensure that Nafest 2020 celebrations in Jos will comply with all directives and advice the Presidential Task force on covid 19 and that of NCDC to guide the spread of the COVID-19.

“We shall deploy all relevant health services providers, provide adequate health information to guide participants and visitors and the emplacement of necessary measures to ensure total compliance.”

The theme for the 33rd edition of Nafest, Jos 2020 is “Post COVID-19 And Cultural Dynamism”. Nafest hosting under the watch of otunba segun Runsewe DG NCAC, is bidded for and rotated among the 36 states of the federation.

News

National Grid Collapses Again, Nigeria in Total Blackout

Published

17 hours ago

April 15, 2024

Eric

The electricity national grid has collapsed again throwing the entire country into total blackout.

Some electricity distribution companies (DisCos), on Monday, confirmed the fresh collapse of the national grid, resulting in loss of power supply to their customers.

The grid experienced a fresh shutdown, and generation fell to 64.70 megawatts at 2:42 am on Monday, which was confirmed by officials of some of the DisCos.

According to an earlier report, the latest data from the Independent System Operator showed that the grid was generating 266.50mw of electricity from Okpai, Geregu and Ibom power.

Confirming the collapse in a statement, Jos DisCo said: “The current outage being experienced within our franchise States is a result of loss of power supply from the national grid. The loss of power supply from the national grid occurred in the early hours at about 0242 hours today, Monday, 15th April 2024, hence the loss of power supply on all our feeders.”

The company’s Head of Corporate Affairs, Dr Friday Adakole Elijah, expressed hope that the grid will be restored for normal power supply to its esteemed customers.

The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), also confirmed the collapse in a statement titled “NOTICE OF TOTAL SYSTEM COLLAPSE”.

“The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company PLC (EEDC) wishes to inform her esteemed customers of a total system collapse which occurred at 2:41 am today, 15th April 2024.

“This resulted in the loss of supply to all our interface TCN stations. Consequently, we were unable to provide service to our customers in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo States.

“However, the situation is gradually being resolved as we received the supply at Awada TCN station, Onitsha, at 7:30 am.

“We are in constant communication with the relevant authorities awaiting the full restoration of supply by the National Control Centre, NCC, Oshogbo. Thank you for your usual understanding and cooperation,”

A statement by Head, of Corporate Communications, EEDC, Emeka Ezeh said.

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) is yet to confirm the collapse as of press time.

News

Gunmen Abduct Channels TV Reporter in Rivers, Demand N30m

Published

4 days ago

April 12, 2024

Eric

Gunmen have kidnapped a journalist and reporter with Channels Television, Mr Joshua Rogers, at his residence in Rumuosi in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State on Thursday night.

Rogers, who covers the Rivers State Government House for his organisation, was reportedly trailed after he closed from work to his residence.

The miscreants accosted him before he alighted from his car, pointed a gun at him and whisked him along with his vehicle off to an unknown destination at about 9 pm.

A source who said he doesn’t want his name mentioned said the reporter had earlier covered an event in Ndoni in the Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area of the state where Governor Siminalayi Fubara, inaugurated a Primary Healthcare Centre.

The facility was built and donated to the state by the PAMO Educational Foundation, founded by former Rivers governor, Dr Peter Odili, on Thursday.

The source said, “Yes, he was kidnapped last night at his residence in Rumuosi and taken away in his car by some unknown gunmen.

“We are appealing to the kidnappers to release him immediately and unhurt. He is just a journalist doing his job and not a moneybags. So I don’t know the purpose of his kidnap.”

It was also gathered that the hoodlums had contacted his wife and demanded N30m as ransom before releasing him.

Efforts to reach the spokesperson for the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, for confirmation, were unsuccessful as she did not pick up several calls put across to her by The Punch.

Iringe-Koko has also yet to reply to a text message sent to her as of publication on Friday morning.

The Punch

News

Bobrisky Goes to Jail! Sentenced to Six months Term, with No Fine Option

Published

4 days ago

April 12, 2024

Eric

Cross-dresser, Idris Olanrewaju Okuneye popularly known as Bobrisky, has been sentenced to six months imprisonment without any option fine for abusing the Nigeria currency – naira.

Justice Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court, Lagos, in her sentence, said the judgment will serve as a deterrent to others who are fond of abusing and mutilating the naira.