• N5b sales drive speaks volumes about LASG commitment to economic growth, prosperity – Idris Aregbe

Demonstrating a commendable departure from the conventional approach to governance, Mr. Idris Aregbe, the Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tourism, Arts, and Culture, has taken the initiative to reach out and forge a ground-breaking partnership with Naija Brand Chick (NBC).

Speaking during a press conference held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, on Thursday to unveil Lagos value-driven partnership with Naija Brand Chick, Aregbe said the alliance between the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, and Naija Brand Chick is designed to significantly amplify the impact of the Lagos Tourism NBC Trade Fair, an event that will serve as a catalyst for the entrepreneurial community in Lagos.

The CEO of Naija Brand Chick, Ms. Nelly Agbogu; CEO, Council of Arts and Culture, Mr. Idowu Johnson; Nollywood producer and actress, Mrs. Toyin Abraham-Ajewole; Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), Feyisayo Alayande, who was represented by Ms. Sherifat Balogun, and other speakers during the press conference expressed their commitment and readiness to partner with the Ministry of Tourism Arts and Culture for the success of the Lagos Tourism NBC Trade Fair, taking place from June 14 to 16 at Whitestone Event, Ikeja.

CEO, Council of Arts and Culture, Mr. Idowu Johnson; Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Idris Aregbe; CEO of Naija Brand Chick (NBC), Ms Nelly Agbogu and Nollywood producer and actress, Mrs. Toyin Abraham-Ajewole, during a press conference on Lagos Tourism NBC Trade Fair held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja, on Thursday, April 25, 2024.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Idris Aregbe, said the partnership is about taking the Lagos Tourism NBC Trade to unprecedented heights, adding that the historic event will mark the beginning of a new era in hospitality and trade fair in the State.

He said: “This alliance is not just about cooperation; it’s about amplification. It is about taking the Lagos Tourism NBC Trade Fair to unprecedented heights, where it serves as a pivotal catalyst for our entrepreneurial community.

“Under the visionary leadership of Mr. Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, and with the steadfast support of the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, we aim for nothing short of excellence.

“Our ambitious goal of N5 billion in sales speaks volumes about our commitment to driving economic growth and prosperity.

“This year’s fair will be a convergence of diverse sectors, spanning Lifestyle and Home, Fashion and Personal Care, Services and Innovation, Arts and Craft, Adventure and Recreation, Travel and Hospitality, Cultural and Recreational Attractions. It is a testament to our unwavering dedication to inclusivity and diversity.

“With an anticipated influx of participants and visitors, the fair will provide an unparalleled platform for vendors and entrepreneurs to showcase their offerings, connect with a wider audience, and contribute to the vibrant economic landscape of Lagos.”

Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Idris Aregbe (middle); flanked by CEO, Council of Arts and Culture, Mr. Idowu Johnson (left); and CEO of Naija Brand Chick (NBC), Ms Nelly Agbogu(right); Nollywood producer and actress, Mrs. Toyin Abraham-Ajewole (4th right) and others, during a press conference on Lagos Tourism NBC Trade Fair held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja, on Thursday, April 25, 2024.

Speaking further, Aregbe said: “The Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture stands firm in its mission to nurture our rich cultural heritage, promote artistic endeavors, and propel the tourism sector forward as a cornerstone of economic development.

“Together, let us embark on this transformative journey towards a brighter, more prosperous future for Lagos State.”

In her comment, Ms. Nelly Agbogu recalled the past edition of the trade fair in the State, which, according to her, took place at Lekki.

The CEO of NBC, who disclosed that entry is free for all Lagos residents for the trade fair, assured traders of adequate security of lives and property during the event.

“We started the programme at Lekki. Today, I am excited, and I am certain it will grow businesses in Lagos. There will be a lot of sales for our business owners. I appreciate Lagos for partnering with us,” she said.

Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture is dedicated to nurturing the diverse cultural heritage of Lagos, fostering the arts, and championing the growth of the tourism sector as a pivotal element for economic progress.

A man identified as naetochukwu01 on X has recounted how his mother’s action changed the course of his life when she burnt his travel documents two weeks before he was due to travel to Australia to play soccer.

Naetochukwu01 posted this on his X handle on Thursday in response to a post about the father of Nigerian chess master Tunde Onakoya, revealing he initially opposed his son’s passion for chess.

In his post, Naetochukwu01 explained that at the age of 15, he was scouted to go to Melbourne, Australia, to play soccer; however, the incident that occurred two weeks before he travelled “changed the trajectory of his life.”

He wrote, “I no been wan talk but e no spoil😂. When I was 15, I got scouted to play for a team in Melbourne, Australia. Two weeks to leave for Melbourne. One faithful Sunday, my mom came home from church and was yelling at me, so I hissed at her, and, she became furious (typical African mother).

“Then she started yelling, ‘Is it because you want to go abroad now that you are hissing at me? Come and go now, let me see you. I have to tame you before you become untamable.”

He added that in fury, she stormed his room, seized his travel documents, soccer jerseys, boots, and belongings, and set them ablaze in the backyard using kerosene and matches.

He added, “She stormed my room and took my travel documents, my jerseys and boots I had bought in Nigeria, and my boxes.

“She took kerosene and matches, went to the backyard, and set everything ablaze. Immediately, she lit the fire and threw it in, her eyes cleared.

“I was only able to recover my international passport. Idk if she regrets it, but my life could have changed for good if not for her anger.”

He further stated that his mother later apologised for her actions, but he still acknowledges the impact her actions had on his life.

“I’m not saying this to pile on my Ma or anything, but it changed the trajectory of my life; she has apologised and is still apologising, and I don’t think I love her any less.

“I just hope I win big with something else because the suffering that act has put me through can’t be explained,” he concluded.

PUNCH Online reports that the father of Nigerian chess master, Tunde Onakoya, Pa Onakoya, revealed that he was never in support of his son playing chess, stating that he never knew that Chess would make him popular.

Pa Onakoya stated that when Tunde was a child, whenever he saw him playing chess, he would pack everything away because he wanted him to focus on his academics.

The detained Binance Holdings Limited executive, Tigran Gambaryan, has attempted to escape from Kuje Correctional Facility, The PUNCH has learnt.

Investigations by our correspondent revealed how Mr Gambaryan who is currently remanded in Kuje Correctional Facility, applied for a new United States of America passport, under the pretence that his seized passport was missing.

The Armenian-born Binance executive, Gambaryan who has both American and Armenian passports, told the US Embassy in Abuja that he lost his passport which is currently being held by the EFCC, impeccable anti-graft sources privy to the development but not authorised to speak, told The PUNCH on Wednesday.

Following the development, the EFCC has urged the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja to disregard Gambaryan’s bail application, while noting that the Armenian-American could flee from Nigeria like his Kenyan-British colleague, Nadeem Anjarwalla who fled to Kenya.

A source, who is privy to the investigations, revealed that “The second Binance executive, Tigran Gambaryan, who is currently remanded in Kuje prison, has planned to escape from the facility. He applied to the US embassy in Abuja to issue him a new Visa while lying that he lost his passport which was seized by the EFCC.”

Another source, who insisted on anonymity, noted that “Gambaryan could have escaped from Kuje if not for the fact that the US embassy flagged his request for a new passport. Fortunately, the US embassy immediately reached out to the EFFC, and the embassy was informed that he’s a criminal suspect whose case is currently in court for alleged money laundering – concealing the source of the $35,400, 000 generated as revenue by Binance in Nigeria knowing that the funds constituted proceeds of unlawful activity.”

Meanwhile, the EFCC had on Tuesday, urged Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court Abuja to deny Gambaryan’s bail application.

The anti-graft agency said it was too risky to admit the foreigner to bail, noting the escape of his co-defendant, Nadeem Anjarwalla, from the custody of the National Security Adviser and his escape to Kenya.

Besides, the prosecuting counsel for the EFCC, Ekele Iheanacho, told the court that the anti-graft agency uncovered an alleged plot by Gambaryan to obtain a new passport to facilitate his escape from Nigeria after the EFCC had seized his passport.

Gambaryan, his fleeing colleague, Anjarwalla, and Binance Holdings Limited are being prosecuted by the EFCC on money laundering charges.

The anti-graft agency accused them of concealing the source of the $35,400, 000 generated as revenue by Binance in Nigeria knowing that the funds constituted proceeds of unlawful activity.

Opposing Gambaryan’s bail application on Tuesday, the EFCC prosecutor said, “There was an attempt by this defendant to procure another travelling document even when he was aware that his passport was in the custody of the state. He pretended as if the said passport was stolen.”

Iheanacho told the court that within the same period that Anjarwalla fled the custody, Gambaryan also allegedly made moves to escape from custody and flee the country but was intercepted by the operatives of the commission.

“This court will be taking a grave risk to grant the defendant bail. This is also because he has no attachment to any community in Nigeria.
“The experience we have had with the man who escaped to Kenya while his United Kingdom passport is in Nigeria will certainly repeat itself if this defendant is granted bail.

“The 1st defendant (Binance) is operating virtually. The only thing we have to hold on to is this defendant. So, we pray My Lord to refuse bail to the defendant.”

Iheanacho said with the intelligence information at the EFCC’s disposal it was not safe to release the foreigner on bail.