The eyes of arts and culture community will be on Hannatu Musawa, the first Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, writes GREGORY AUSTIN NWAKUNOR. DESPITE challenges facing the economy, most especially, unemployment, many believe the creative industry has potential to tackle them. The Culture, Creative Industry (CCI) has been described as the untapped goldmine of the Nigerian economy, and if well harnessed, can transform it. Musawa is expected to take the creative industry to new heights. Currently, the country’s culture policy is outdated and its content needs o be fine-tuned to meet up with modern demands.

The Lagos State Government has declared Monday, August 21, as a work-free day for all public servants in the state in commemoration of the 2023 Isese Day celebration which will be held on Sunday, August 20. This is contained in a circular dated August 18 and obtained by The PUNCH on Saturday. Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has graciously declared Monday, 21st August 2023, a work-free day for public servants in the state. The PUNCH reported that the Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs had in July urged the Lagos State Government to officially recognise and declare August 20 as Isese Day holiday in the state. The traditional rulers, who spoke at the inauguration of the state Council of Obas and Chiefs for another tenure of five years, said it had become important for the state government to recognise August 20 as Isese Day in the spirit of democracy and freedom of religion.

Energy-efficient appliances are your best bet as they are not only eco-friendly but consume less energy. For instance, there is no reason to turn on the television set if nobody is watching despite being energy saving. There is no reason to leave a frozen deep-freezer on non-stop if you’re not running a frozen business. There is no reason to leave the Air Conditioner in the rooms that are nonfunctional on, etc. • Pay attention to appliances that consume more power and if they are not a necessity to use, keep them aside till when you need to use them.

There is an Igbó shirt, Igbó powder, Igbó babe, Igbó boss, Igbó cake, and orísirísi amugbó. Well, you don’t smoke Igbó; you don’t inhale it, but you have probably danced to Igbó songs. shayoI need igbó and shayo (shayo)I need igbó and shayo (shayo)I need igbó and shayo (shayo)Shayo (shayo) shayo (shayo)”and it goes on and on. Igbó heats consciousness and captures the social music trends that probably meet the market demands in contemporary Nigeria or, in fact, the world. His first words, “shayo oh” and “Igbó oh,” both generic street names for marijuana and other intoxicating substances, were the perfect intro for the eventual chorus: “I need Igbó and shayo oh.”In the song, Damini narrates a recent heartbreak experience for which he takes solace in Igbó (marijuana) from the breakfast he was served.

Bitrus (by SMS)Many of the warning signs for cancer are also the same warning signs for any kind of illness. One of the first signs many lung cancer patients remember noticing is the inability to catch their breath. In addition, cancer cells thrive in an acidic environment but cease to exist in Alkaline environments.Frequent fevers or infections can be signs of leukemia, a cancer of the blood cells that starts in the bone marrow. Trouble swallowing is most commonly associated with esophageal or throat cancer, and is sometimes one of the first signs of lung cancer, too. Feeling full and unable to eat is another warning sign for cancer.

Ajax new signing, Chuba Akpom, will miss Saturday’s (today) Eredivisie clash against Excelsior at the Van Donge & De Roo Stadion in Rotterdam, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. The four-time European champions finished third in the Dutch Eredivisie in 2022/23, 13 points behind champions and fierce rivals Feyenoord, but started this campaign with a 4-1 win over Heracles Almelo last weekend. According to Dutch daily newspaper, Algemeen Dagblad, the former Middlesbrough striker is yet to be granted a work permit in Holland. It was the ex-Arsenal striker’s best career return, with a total of 106 goals in 309 senior matches. Everyone knows what I think of (Middlesbrough boss) Michael Carrick, and I’m sure success is just around the corner.

The Pan Niger Delta Forum has expressed fear that the administration of President Bola Tinubu may have sidelined the affairs of the Niger Delta following the exclusion of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs during the recently designation of portfolios to ministers-designates. “The government has over the years squandered the resources of the Niger Delta, and of course, the dedication of infrastructure, particularly rural infrastructure in the Niger Delta is worse. “As we speak, major federal roads in the Niger Delta are almost not motorable. So, there is nothing to show that we earn so much money from oil, particularly in the Niger Delta. Of course, you can recite a recent statement by the President concerning powerful individuals, unelected powerful individuals who control the oil scam, importation scam,” he added.

Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen. Note: This feature currently requires accessing the site using the built-in Safari browser.

Professor Lai Oso’s death has robbed me of a respectable scholar and friend. From the messages, it was evident that Lai Oso was a truly good man who meant many things to many people. My relationship with Professor Lai Oso was a long and fruitful one, which blossomed to that of a senior brother and transcended family and professional lines. Without doubt, Lai Oso was a thoroughbred scholar who understood and promoted high quality communication scholarship in Nigeria. Social relevance and public interest must be the main criteria in news selection and editorial judgement.”We shall continue to remember Lai Oso.

I love Fast food a lot. However, I have read of how Fast food can damage a person’s health. Greg (by SMS)Consuming fast food regularly can lead to various health risks, including obesity, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and an increased risk of stroke. These foods are often high in calories, unhealthy fats, sodium, and added sugars, while lacking essential nutrients. Regular fast food consumption can also contribute to poor digestion, inflammation, and negatively impact overall health in the long run.

The Netherlands’ ruling liberal conservatives of outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte declared Friday they would be ready to govern alongside Geert Wilders’ far right movement after an early general election in November. Dutch voters will elect a new parliament on November 22 after last week’s collapse of Rutte’s four-party coalition led by his centre-right VVD over a bitter argument about asylum seeker policy. He said last month he would quit politics altogether after 13 years at the helm which made him his country’s longest-serving prime minister. Wilders dubbed the development “good news” in a post to X, formerly Twitter, as Dutch voters go to the polls some 15 months earlier than scheduled. Rutte’s government imploded after the policy highlighted what he conceded were “insurmountable” differences between coalition partners.

Director-General of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr Mustapha Ahmed, on Friday, disclosed that the Agency did not receive any $1 million donation from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), for the support of flood victims in 2022. Mr Ahmed gave the clarification in Abuja during the visit of Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara. Recall that the US Embassy had via a statement issued by the US Ambassador, Mary Beth Leonard in October 2022 announced the donation. The US had explained that the unusually heavy rainfall, which resulted in flooding, had affected nearly 2.8 million people across the country. It added that many homes had been damaged or completely destroyed, displacing millions of persons.

During a candid discussion among BBNaija housemates Ike, Doyin, and Kiddwaya, the topic of relationships within the season emerged. Kiddwaya initiated the conversation by asking Ike about his stance on his former flame, Mercy. In response, Ike made it clear that he’s not inclined to pursue any romantic interests this season. Ike went on to express his strong emotions regarding his past experience with Mercy. Ike even went as far as stating that Mercy took the money from his mouth, therefore, he can never forgive her and he’ll sabotage Mercy till the end as he’ll rather die than have her win the money.

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) operatives have arrested 28 suspected internet fraudsters in a sting operation in Enugu. EFCC spokesperson Wilson Uwujaren said this in a statement on Friday in Abuja. According to him, items recovered from the suspects include nine exotic cars, 44 mobile phones, seven personal computers, and one international passport. He said the suspects had made useful statements and would be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations. “Also arrested are: Kenechukwu Barry, Ibe Chisom, Felix Nwaeze, Daniel John, Somtochukwu Zadok, Ugochukwu Amoke and Chukwudi Charles,” he said.

Photo by STEFANO RELLANDINI / AFP via Getty ImagesReligious leaders and politicians in northern Nigeria have opened back-door channels in a frantic attempt to stave off military intervention in coup-stricken Niger. The crisis has sparked fears for ancient cultural, social and commercial links that bind southern Niger with seven border states in northern Nigeria — Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, Jigawa, Borno and Yobe. But visits by representatives from northern Nigeria have also helped swing the pendulum back towards diplomacy. But concern in northern Nigeria of a potentially catastrophic intervention is heaping pressure on him to exercise restraint. On 5 August, all 58 Nigerian senators across party lines from the north denounced planned military intervention in Niger, warning of dire consequences for seven border states.