The Nation Newspaper

Tag: schedule

  • Lagos unveils schedule for arts and culture

    Over 70 state-sponsored and endorsed arts and culture programmes have been announced by the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture.

    The calendar, consisting an all-year-round events is expected to garner visibility for tourism-oriented art programmes in the state.

    According to a statement signed by the state’s commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, the Lagos State governor, “Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, kick-started the year with his attendance at Ali Baba’s January 1st Comedy concert at Eko Hotel. Other arts and culture events held in January and February so far and included in the calendar are Angel and Muse, an art exhibition by a Lagos-trained world renowned artist; Eebi; a month-long Indigenous Cultural Festival in Epe; Wazobia FM Carnival as well as the Lagos City Marathon amongst others.

    He said the idea of creating a calendar of events for state-sponsored and state-endorsed programmes, is to make event planning, tour bookings and business decisions easier for tour operators and the general public.

    The commissioner said, “The state is forging ahead in expanding the consumption of its tourism products by improving access to tourism information and creating an events guide for the media and tour bloggers”.

    Although not exhaustive, the calendar contains most of the well-known indigenous cultural festivals across the state, entertainment events; concerts; visual and performing arts as well as fashion and culinary events.

    “The administration of Governor Ambode believes that the quantum of cash transactions across the tourism and entertainment value-chain, as tracked in December 2017 when about 50billion was spent on entertainment and leisure alone, is a testimony to the huge economic gain that exists in promoting tourism in Lagos State. This and other economic factors make Lagos one of the most vibrant and culturally significant cities in Africa with potentials to make enormous impact in driving in-bound tourists from across the globe.

    “Major events listed in the calendar include Gidi Fest, Lagos Water Regatta and Fanti Carnival around the Easter Period; the International Jazz Day celebration on April 30 which will be dedicated to the South-African Jazz legend, Huge Masekela; the Lagos Comedy Festival (incorporating Lagos Laughs on World Laughter Day) on May 6 and the Eko Art Expo in the last weekend in May.

    “June will be rich with the first ever Lagos Golf Funfair and the Lagos Cinefest, which is designed to take cinema-going experience to all the five divisions of the state.

    “The Lagos Festival of Plays is a major highlight in the third quarter of the year; so is the Lagos Fishing Festival (Oshoroko) in Ibeju-Lekki; Akwaaba Travel Market and Faaji Agba – a special concert for the elderly to mark World Elders Day.

    “October to December will be the most intense period on the calendar with Olokun Festival; MUSON Festival; AFRIMA, AFRIFF; Kayo-Kayo Festival in Epe; the Lagos Luxury Summit/Fair; Felabration which will be used to celebrate Deal’s 80th birthday posthumously; the Lagos Books & Arts Festival (LABAF) which will be used to welcome Lagos into Africa’s Creative Cities club as well as the phenomenally popular One Lagos Fiesta which will hold between December 24 and 31st across the five divisions of the state in its forth unbroken year.

    “The State is grateful to corporate sponsors that will make many of these events happen” Ayorinde says; adding that  ”our aim is to use the calendar and other strategic initiatives to enrich the entertainment and creative economy as an integral component of tourism promotion.”

  • APC chief sues National Assembly over 2019 elections schedule

    APC chief sues National Assembly over 2019 elections schedule

    The sequence of the 2019 elections has become the subject of a legal battle.

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Anike Nwoga, has filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Enugu, challenging the Bill passed by the National Assembly.

    The Bill changed the sequence of the 2019 elections, earlier adopted and published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Nwoga, who is the Zonal Vice Chairman of APC in Enugu East Senatorial District, filed the suit March 2 through his lawyer, Godwin Onwusi Esq.

    In his motion on notice, supported by 25-paragraph affidavit, Nwoga is praying the court for an interlocutory injunction restraining the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from assenting to the Bill pending the determination of the substantive suit.

    The motion on notice was brought pursuant to orders 26 and 28 of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2009 and under the inherent jurisdiction of the honourable court,

    Aside the National Assembly, which was listed as the 1st defendant/respondent, others listed as 2nd to 4th  defendants/respondents in the suit are INEC, the President and the Honourable Attorney General of the Federaion (AGF).

    Apart from the prayer for interlocutory injunction restraining the President, 3rd defendant, from assenting to the bill, Nwoga is also praying for an order of interlocutory injunction, restraining the National Assembly from overriding the President’s veto, should he decide to veto the bill pending the determination of the substantive suit.

    The plaintiff pleaded for an order of interlocutory injunction restraining INEC from complying with the sequence of elections contained in the bill passed and such further orders as the court may deem fit to make in the circumstance, pending the deterrmination of the substantive suit.

    Specifically, the plaintiff,  is asking the court to, among other things, determine:

    *”whether the National Assembly in exercise of its lawmaking powers can make laws to compel INEC to exercise the powers to organize, undertake and supervise elections conferred on it by the constitution in a particular sequence”;

    *”whether the National Assembly in exercise of her law making powers can make a law to change the sequence of elections, already adopted and published by INEC, pursuant to the powers conferred on it by the constitution”; and

    *”upon the determination of the questions, to make the following orders.

    “A declaration that the National Assembly cannot make laws to compel Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to exercise the powers conferred on it by the constitution to conduct election in a particular order.

    “A declaration that the recent bill adopted by the two chambers of the National Assembly, which altered the sequence of the 2019 elections, already adopted and published by INEC pursuant to the powers conferred on it by the constitution, is a usurpation of the constitutional powers of INEC, hence unconstitutional.

    “An order of perpetual injunction restraining the 3rd defendant from assenting to the bill changing the sequence of elections, already adopted and published by the 2nd defendant, when it is presented to him for assent.

    “An order restraining the 2nd defendant from complying with the sequence contained in the bill or the Law, if assented to by the 2nd respondent.

    “Any further or other orders or consequential Orders that the Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances of the case.

    No date has been fixed for the hearing.

  • ‘Isiokpo roads will be delivered on schedule’

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has said Isiokpo internal roads would be completed on schedule, to boost the town’s economy.

    In an interview with reporters after inspection yesterday, the governor hailed the contractor for doing a good job.

    He advised him to ensure that the roads are constructed in line with designs laid out by his administration.

    According to Wike, the internal roads are key to development of the area.

    He said: “The inspection of Isiokpo roads shows the contractor is doing a great job.

    “We will supervise him to ensure he delivers on schedule and in line with approved specifications.”

    The governor was accompanied by ex-Rivers State Governor Sir Celestine Omehia, Works Commissioner Mr. Dum Dekor, Sports Commissioner Mr. Boma Iyaye, former Ikwerre Caretaker Committee Chairman Mr. Eloka Tasie-Amadi and Samuel Nwanosike.

    A representative of the contractor and Area Manager of Lubrik, Mr. Rabih, assured Wike that the project will progress as planned.

    The governor, on December 22, launched 22 roads, measuring 22.6kilometres in Isiokpo.

    He inspected the judges’ quarters, under construction, in Port Harcourt, on Tuesday.

  • BEDC to publish supply schedule

    Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) Plc is to publish power availability schedule for customers in its franchise areas of Edo and Delta states soon.

    This is coming on the heels of the prevailing electricity generation limitations affecting many Nigerians.

    Its Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Funke Osibodu, said the power availability schedule became necessary to enable customers predict when electricity would be supplied or interrupted and restored and, thus, enable them plan their activities.

    She said: “It has become necessary to undertake programming for customers of BEDC in order to improve our services to them. They, however, should note that load shedding time may sometimes vary due to changes in generation, technical challenges and other unforeseen events beyond our control. This will first be published for Edo and Delta states and after perfecting this, similar publication will be done for Ondo and Ekiti states.”

    Mrs. Osibodu at a media briefing in Benin, Edo state capital,  said the firm was fine-tuning the schedule, with a view to starting its implementation soon.

    According to her, the load management schedule was prepared based on the roaster submitted by each of the company’s 24 business units, while codes have been assigned to each 11KV feeder emanating from injection substations that feed specific areas in the four states.

    She said in Edo,  for instance, the BEDC was creating conducive environment for companies to grow by balancing the power given to both residential, communities and industrial locations, adding that the idea would enable industrial concerns reduce cost of production, drive economic growth and create jobs for the unemployed youths in the area.

    This, she said, is in addition to the efforts of the firm to subsidise electricity being supplied to customers in the state.

    On Concept Route Marshall, she said the initiative was borne out of the need to enhance customer relations and improve the company’s commercial field operations.

    “A route is defined as collection of customers in certain transformers in some particular route(s) which the assigned officers will be expected to manage and ensure customers on it are properly managed/served.

  • BEDC to publish supply schedule

    Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) Plc is to publish power availability schedule for customers in its franchise areas of Edo and Delta states soon.

    This is coming on the heels of the prevailing electricity generation limitations, which is affecting many Nigerians.

    Its Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Funke Osibodu, said the power availability schedule became necessary to enable customers predict when electricity would be supplied or interrupted and restored and, thus, enable them plan their activities around the schedule.

    She said: “It has become necessary to undertake programme for customers of BEDC in order to improve our services to them. They however should note that load shedding time may sometimes vary due to changes in generation, technical challenges and other unforeseen events beyond our control. This will first be published for Edo and Delta states and after perfecting this, similar publication will be done for Ondo and Ekiti states”.

    At a media briefing in Benin, Edo state capital, Mrs. Osibodu said the firm was fine-tuning the schedule, with a view to starting its implementation soon.

    According to her, the load management schedule was prepared based on the roaster submitted by each of the company’s 24 business units, while codes have been assigned to each 11KV feeder emanating from injection substations that feed specific areas in the four states.

    She said in Edo  for instance, BEDC was creating conducive environment for companies to grow by balancing power given to both residential, communities and industrial locations, adding that the idea would enable industrial concerns reduce cost of production, drive economic growth and also create jobs for the unemployed youths in the area.

    This, she said, is in addition to the efforts of the firm to subsidise electricity it  is supplying  residential customers in the state.

    On Concept Route Marshall, she said the initiative was borne out of the need to enhance customer relations and improve the company’s commercial field operations.

    “A route is defined as collection of customers in certain transformers in some particular route(s) which the assigned officers will be expected to manage and ensure customers on it are properly managed/served. This includes bringing into the company records of all consumers that may have been connected illegally to the company’s network.

    Also, the Executive Director, Commercial, Mr. Abu Ejoor, said since take-over on November 1, 2013, BEDC had metered over 150,000 customers, increased injection sub-stations from 38 to 64, added several distribution transformers into its network and also upgraded its 33KV feeders. He assured customers of improved power supply through off-grid arrangement with Independent Power Plants (IPPs).

    On vandalism, BEDC Safety Manager, Mr. Gilbert Nweke said BEDC has commenced fencing of its distribution sub stations with transparent wire gauze, fixing signage to warn people against trespass and giving support to Police and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to arrest and prosecute vandals. To curtail meter bypass, hanging of wires and tampering with BEDC equipment/installations, Nweke said pole-mounted meters and High Voltage Distribution System (HVDS) and constant monitoring of meters were being done.