Enugu Christmas Fest: Omu Resort Unveils 25-day Spectacle

Sahara Weekly Reports That Omu Resort, a prominent organization known for promoting tourism initiatives in Africa, has announced the debut edition of the Enugu Christmas Fest.

The event, organized in partnership with the Enugu State Government, will be a 25-day spectacle of daily activities, offering unmatched entertainment. Scheduled to run from December 7th to December 31st, 2024, the festival promises a diverse range of entertainment options for residents of Enugu State and neighbouring areas, providing the perfect opportunity to unwind with family and friends.

The inaugural event will kick off with a ceremony led by the state governor, Peter Mbah, who will officially light the Christmas tree.

Expected to attract thousands of visitors, the Enugu Christmas Fest will feature a variety of programs including “African Praise Night”, an “Afrobeat Concert”, a “Highlife Concert”, and a “Food Bazaar”.

Others include a “Street Carnival”, a “Cultural Parade”, an “Art Exhibition”, a Phone Exhibition”, and a grand “Fireworks Show, all designed to captivate audiences from near and far.

In addition, the festival will include “Enugu Christmas Yadah”, and the highly anticipated “Santa Street Storm”‘ where over 100 Santa Claus figures on tricycles will parade through the state, bearing gifts for orphanages and the less privileged. The “Governor’s Red Ball”, a prestigious red-tie event, will also be part of the lineup. This gala will bring together investors, business leaders, political figures, and Enugu’s diaspora to celebrate with the governor at a dinner and awards night. Thrown into the mix is the small resort built in the heart of the city – Naira Triangle – that features a waterpark, mini golf, blade skating and more.

Speaking about the event, Daniel Eguyenga expressed excitement, stating that the Enugu Christmas Fest combines entertainment with commercial opportunities aimed at boosting the state’s economy.

In his words: “There is a location called Naira Triangle, a massive roundabout where we will be installing 500,000 Christmas lights, creating a glowing ball of light. The governor will officially launch this on December 7th. It’s going to be a spectacular sight. We also have a 300-member orchestra, led by Dr. Festus Dokubo, which will perform during the festival.

“On December 14th, we will host the Governor’s Ball, but earlier in the day, we will showcase 50 export ready businesses from Enugu. Representatives from intra-African trade, the World Bank, SMIDAN, and the Central Bank of Nigeria’s export desk will be present to facilitate matchmaking between these businesses and the banking sector, with the hope of scaling them up.

“That evening, prominent guests will attend the Governor’s Ball, and we’ll also launch a commemorative coffee table book about Enugu State. Additionally, we plan to break ground for a historical and wax museum in the state. Other highlights include a carnival, fireworks, and the Santa Storm, where 100 colorful Santas on tricycles will deliver gifts to the less privileged and orphanage homes across all local governments. It’s our way of giving back—Christmas is all about generosity.

“I assure you that we’ve made every effort to ensure that guests attending the Enugu Christmas Fest will enjoy an array of exciting activities and experiences,” Eguyenga said.

Lagos Assembly Intervenes in Model College Fee Hike

– as parents protest

Following a protest by some Lagos parents over the increase in the boarding fees of the state’s model colleges, the Lagos State House of Assembly has directed the Chairman of its House Committee on Education, Hon. Mosunmola Sangodara, to invite all the concerned stakeholders and report back within a week.

This directive came after the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, met with the protesters at the Assembly gate.

The fees were hiked from N35,000 to N100,000 for the 2024/2025 session which commenced on September 15, 2024.

During plenary on Monday, Obasa said that he had to intervene when he heard the crowd chanting protest songs at the entrance to the Assembly.

He advised the parents to remain calm, assuring them that the matter would be addressed.

Hon. Sangodara (Surulere II) informed the House that the committee had already engaged the Ministry of Education and other stakeholders.

Hon. Shabi Adekola (Lagos Mainland II) also explained that during a meeting with the officials of the Ministry of Education and others, it was agreed that the parents should continue paying N35,000 pending further review of the fees.

Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu (Eti-Osa Constituency II) pointed out that the increment was primarily related to students’ feeding costs. He, however, urged the government to explore ways to ease the financial burden on parents and offer assistance where necessary.

In his contribution, Hon. Bonu Solomon (Badagry I) added that parents had raised concerns that students unable to pay the new fee were not allowed to purchase food within the school premises adding that this had further complicated the situation.

The House is expected to await the report from the education committee before taking further steps.

Eromosele Ebhomele
Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

Stop blackmailing the Supreme Court
-Group Condemns CD, TAN for accusing FG of interference in suit against EFCC

A non-governmental organisation, Vanguard for Credible Representation (VCR), has taken a swipe at the Campaign for Democracy (CD) and Transparency and Accountability Network for accusing the Federal Government of interference in the suit filed by the Kogi State Government and 14 other States against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Recall that the Kogi State government and 18 other states filed a suit at the Supreme Court to challenge the legality of the EFCC.

The statement, which was reportedly signed by CD’s Ifeanyi Odili and TAN’s Dapo Oluwole, alleged that the Federal Government was interfering with the hearing of the suit slated for hearing at the Supreme Court.

However, in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday by VCR’s Head of Mission, Onche Ugbabe, the group said it was saddening that some supposed civil society organisations could make such a wild allegation without any proof or details.

The statement reads: “It is baffling, saddening and indeed worrisome that an organisation that was co-founded by the late patriot, Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti could join forces with those seeking to frustrate and emasculate the anti-corruption fight of the present administration. Indeed, Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti would be turning in his grave to see what has become of the Campaign for Democracy (CD) today.

“All their sophistry did not do much in hiding the real import of their ill-thought press statement. If CD and TAN were really civil society organisations worth the appellation, how come they never spoke against the antics of the Kogi State government and its officials; both serving and past, in frustrating the anti-graft war? Why have they suddenly woken up from their slumber only to weigh in on the side of those seeking to literally kill the EFCC?

“The only reason that they gave as the premise for the wild claim about the alleged interference and pressure was that the Federal Government filed some preliminary objections to the suit. How does that amount to pressure or intimidation of any sort? If their sponsors have a good legal team, they should reply on points of law to the preliminary objection and let the Supreme Court decide instead of the resort to cheap blackmail of the Federal Government and the apex court. Or how would a plaintiff think that once he makes a claim, the Defendant should not respond?

“The point that has been made very eloquently by an erudite lawyer and one of the fathers of the civil society movement in Nigeria, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN) is that the Supreme Court had in the past severally decided on the legality of the EFCC. If that is the case, then it is a very good strategy for the Federal Government to make past decisions of the apex court the basis of its preliminary objection.”

The group urged all well-meaning Nigerians to rally round the EFCC and support the Federal Government in its efforts to rid the country of corruption and engender development.