Metro
Otunba Runsewe Promises Stronger, Better INAC EXPO
Plans are in top gear to make this year’s International Arts and Crafts (INAC) Expo bigger and more culture friendly.
This revelation was given by the Director General of National Council for Arts and Culture, Otunba Segun Runsewe in his office when he received in audience, the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of Turkey, His Excellency, Hidayet Bayraktar who visited him in his office.
The Director General, Otunba Segun Runsewe who expressed delight in the visit of the envoy said the diplomatic relationship between Nigeria and the Republic of Turkey dates back to 1962 and has since grown with much strength and friendliness.
Otunba Runsewe in a preamble to this year’s INAC Expo, said the Diplomatic community will be hosted by the Council to a Pre-INAC Dinner where the diplomatic community will unwind and share ideas on their experience and expectation leading to the INAC Expo in August this year.
Runsewe promised to deepen the participation of the Republic of Turkey by providing a media platform where the country will showcase its cultural potentials.
The Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey thanked the Director General for opening his doors to receive them which according to him is a huge sign of hospitality.
The Ambassador said Nigeria and the Republic of Turkey have deep cultural heritage which he hoped could be harnessed.
The Ambassador added that his embassy has facilities for exhibitions and hopes to partner with NCAC to put them into proper use.
Ambassador Hidayet Bayraktar also revealed that the Turkish Embassy has concluded arrangements with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) to be featured in a culture related programme on Saturday to showcase their country’s tea and coffee health benefits.
The envoy revealed that a number of Nigerian students who graduated from schools in Turkey have formed an alumni in Nigeria adding that the alumna will be celebrated by the embassy in April this year.
Also to deepen ties with Nigeria, according to the Ambassador, two universities will be visiting Nigeria to conduct screening exercise for intending Nigerians with a view to offering them scholarships.
The Ambassador opined that the Council should create a platform where there would be a strong collaboration between Nollywood and the Turkish Embassy to showcase both country’s rich cultural heritage through films.
The high point of the courtesy call was the exchange of gifts from the Ambassador and the NCAC Boss.
Friends and family members of a newly wed lady are still perplexed over her tragic demise on her wedding day.
The tragic incident occurred in Douala, Cameroon on October 26, 2024.
The lady, identified as Sorelle Emmanuella Kamga, was joyfully performing at her own wedding reception when suddenly she slumped, and was later declared dead by medics.
News of her sudden death went viral on October 27 when the video of her performing with her bridesmaids and husband spraying money at her circulated on social media platforms.
Invitees were pictured expressing shock as Sorelle, adorned in her beautiful wedding party dress, slumped while singing for her spouse.
A photographer who was covering the event, said the song she was singing is that of Ivorian artiste, Roseline Layo, titled: “Mogo Fariman.”
The celebrant had chosen the song to announce the cutting of the wedding cake, which ceremony did not see the light of day, as her sudden death marred the wedding reception.
The reception hall of Johannesburg Hotel, where the wedding reception was taking place, suddenly went cold after the sad and shocking incident.
The photographer recounted: “When it was time to cut the wedding cake, the bride went out to change her attire with her husband.
“On return to the hall, she took the mic and started singing for her husband.
“She called her husband to join her on stage.
“He moved towards her with a cigar in his mouth and began spraying money on her.
“First, a ten thousand note, a second ten thousand note…when the man threw the third one, that was when she slumped before him, and that was all.
“We saw something really serious at the hotel that Saturday.
“People immediately rushed to rescue the victim.
“She was rushed to the Adlucem Hospital in Akwa-Nord.
“There, the medics on service referred her to the Douala General Hospital.
“It was at the General Hospital that she was clinically declared dead.”
The photographer said immediately the news of the bride’s demise was announced, the atmosphere at the reception turned gloomy.
Those who had come to celebrate the wedding suddenly became mourners.
Three of the guests were said to have collapsed after receiving news of the bride’s sudden death.
A few hours to the sad development, the now late Sorelle was all joyful, feasting and coordinating the decoration details of her wedding.
Many could not imagine that the day would end without her.
According to family sources, Manuella Kamga and her spouse, Émile, spent seven years together and had three children.
They had planned their wedding in 2020, but due to COVID-19, it was postponed.
A relative said: “This year, we rescheduled the wedding; the dowry was paid on Friday, then yesterday (Saturday), it was the civil wedding.
“It was during the reception that the tragedy occurred in the middle of the hall.
“My little cousin leaves a husband and three pretty little girls, having worn her wedding ring just for a few hours.
“What we often read on Facebook – that people die on their wedding day, has also hit our family.
“Rest in peace, Sorelle Manuella!”
The recent demolition of homes in the Ruga settlement along Airport Road in Abuja has sparked public outcry, as residents took to the streets on Friday, demanding that Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike be held accountable for the destruction of their community.
The protesters led by lawyer and activist Deji Adeyanju, accused Wike’s task force, known as “Operation Sweep,” of heavy-handed tactics that have left scores of residents homeless.
Adeyanju condemned the demolition, highlighting that homes were burned and property worth millions was destroyed.
“There is no justification for this demolition. We appeal to President Bola Tinubu to consider the plight of the displaced residents, who are barely surviving,” Adeyanju said.
Several of those affected, he explained, have already been forced out of their homes in northern states such as Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe due to insecurity, leaving them in a precarious situation.
“These demolitions are excessive,” he continued, “and Mr. President needs to act to prevent further harassment of the people. We are sounding a warning to those in government that peace is only achievable if the poor are allowed to live peacefully. When the poor cannot sleep, it affects everyone.”
Vincent Martins Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, joined the protests and criticised the government for ignoring the needs of the less fortunate.
“This is strange,” he remarked. “The repercussions of this will have a heavy toll on Abuja. These people have been rendered homeless amid the ongoing hardship in the country. They are evicting these people without compensating them. It is sad that the elite think the poor are not part of society.”
The protesters urged President Tinubu to halt further demolition and prevent land reallocation that would favour the wealthy.
In giving the communities the best they deserve, Nestlé has a comprehensive understanding of where and how the ingredients for their factories are produced, and the challenges farmers and their communities face. These firsthand knowledge enables the brand to support rural development.It is worthy of note that 57% of Nestlé’s ingredients purchased in 2017 were responsibly sourced just as 63% of raw ingredients purchased in 2017 were traceable.
It is also a statement of fact that 431,000 lical farmers were trained in good agricultural practices also in 2017
3. Helping young people
4. Coffee sustainability programs
5. Sustainable agriculture
With a whopping N18 million set aside for the present season, where 90 verified indigenes will benefit, the scholarship covers tuition, accommodation, uniforms, books, and other essential expenses, ensuring the students have the resources they need throughout their education journey.
“These scholarships reflect our unwavering dedication to investing in the future of our youth. At a time when economic challenges place added strain on families nationwide, we’re proud to provide meaningful financial support that eases this burden. By investing in education, we’re not only empowering individual students but also fostering the growth and prosperity of our entire community,” Nestlé enthused.
This investment in the education of young people, is Nestlé’s avenue of seeking to create long-lasting positive impacts in its host communities, helping to shape a more promising future for Nigeria’s next generation of leaders and innovators.
Recently, 65 recipients of the scholarship were produced from schools in Abaji, Agbara and Sagamu, and decorated with the benefits of the scholarship.
In 2023, Nestlé Nigeria launched its Flowergate Technical Training Centre (TTC), a broader technical training initiative, which has been running since 2011. Since its inception, the program has seen over 200 young Nigerians successfully complete the rigorous 18-month curriculum.
It has also invested over six billion naira in this initiative, and continues to prioritize developing the next generation of skilled professionals to drive the country’s industrial future.
Nestlé’s bond with Nigerian communities has necessitated the growth and development of mostly the host communities, and have spiraled into neighbouring communities. This is seen in its attention to education of indigenes, agriculture, empowerment of women and youths in various businesses.
A Nestlé in any community has remained the best thing to happen to that community.
