President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed the commitment of his administration to positioning the nation’s creative sector as key driver of Nigeria’s global influence.

Mr Tinubu, represented by the Vice-President Kashim Shettima, stated this during the launch of the 2024 Abuja International Carnival at the Eagle Square, Abuja.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Spokesperson of the Vice-President, Stanley Nkwocha, on Sunday in Abuja.

The President identified the creative economy as a cornerstone of his administration’s economic diversification agenda.

He reaffirmed the carnival’s role in strengthening Nigeria’s position in the global creative economy.

”We are not here just to celebrate a carnival but to reaffirm the essence of who we are as Nigerians, a people of culture, a people of art, a people of colour, and a people of shared values.

”Our creativity continues to shine on the global stage, drawing admiration and respect. This heritage is the truest measure of what it means to be Nigerian—proud, resourceful, and innovative.

”The unifying power of art and culture on display here is a reflection of what we can achieve when we work together,” Mr Tinubu said.

The President emphasised the carnival’s economic impact, noting that Nigeria’s creative industries are already contributing significantly to the nation’s GDP.

“Over the years, this carnival has become a stage for showcasing our rich cultural heritage and a driving force behind our growing creative economy.

”It has revitalised local industries, fostered cultural diplomacy, and contributed immensely to Nigeria’s position as a cultural powerhouse on the global stage,” he said.

Mr Tinubu reinforced Nigeria’s commitment to cultural exchange, saying ” the presence of international participants at the event affirms that culture transcends boundaries.

”It is through cultural exchange that we build bridges of understanding, friendship, and shared humanity. In this carnival, we offer not just a spectacle but a home away from home for our guests,” he said.

He called for deeper reflection on the event’s significance, noting that it is more than mere celebration.

According to him, a carnival of this scale is not merely an occasion for festivities; it is a call to action.

”It reminds us of the pledge we owe to our nation to promote peace, preserve our unity, and contribute, in whatever way we can, to the Nigeria of our dreams.”

He commended the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, and the Creative Economy, the Federal Capital Territory Administration and the Abuja International Carnival Secretariat for their role in organising the event.

Mr Tinubu also praised their “dedication and vision in making the carnival a source of pride for our nation.”

“Our diversity is not just a mark of identity but a powerful force that strengthens our unity and inspires us to dream bigger for our country,” he added.

Earlier, the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, explained that the carnival was a brand that binds Nigerians together.

The minister added that the carnival promotes the nation’s beauty and strength in diversity.

Represented by the Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Oraelumo Raphael, Mrs Musawa described the carnival as a unique brand.

”It involves the 36 states and the FCT, and countries from all over the world, with Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy as the Coordinating Ministry and the FCT as the host.

“The unique aspect of Abuja carnival is the fact that it is a platform for artistic expression, innovation, and cultural exchange among local and international participants,” he said.

The event showcased performances from across Nigeria and beyond, demonstrating the administration’s commitment to cultural diplomacy. By Ibrahim Ramaian, Daily Nigerian

Governors have slammed the Office of the Controller of Budget (CoB) over what they term a deliberate attempt to frustrate cash flow in counties and called on senators to defend devolution.

Speaking during the funeral service of Vihiga County Secretary Ezekiel Ayieko in Idaho South Ward, Shinyalu constituency, Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa and his Vihiga counterpart Dr Wilbur Ottichilo blamed Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang’o for the delayed approval of county funds and accused her of alleged attempt to gag governors from voicing their concerns on the matter.

“Three days ago, I asked the COB to change the approval of requests but I was told the request from Kakamega county will not be approved because I have been on the frontline,” claimed Barasa. 

The Kakamega governor who is also the Council of Governors Chair of Finance and Economic Planning said delayed disbursement is caused by long approval process at the CoB.
“We shouldn’t have our Chief Officers persistently travel to Nairobi for that process yet all the 47 counties have a Controller of Budget coordinator who looks at those requests before they come to Nairobi,” he said. 

"There's a systematic attempt to frustrate devolution. Senators, you have an opportunity to save devolution, counties depend on you. We have held mediation talks, and MPs and senators have an opportunity in Parliament to defend devolution. Health, agriculture, and construction of markets are devolved functions and must be transferred to counties," Barasa said.

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  Governors want treasury to release Sh100b to counties

He urged the CoB to automate the approval process so that the officers upload the requests on a website to ensure timely release of funds saying that the persistent delays in disbursement of funds will result in slow absorption of monies towards the transition to a new financial year. 

The Vihiga governor thanked senators for supporting the Sh400 billion allocation to counties even though the proposal was shot down.

Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka said the country is in a mess and Kenyans need a stable economy.

"We respect our President William Ruto but he should stop lying to Kenyans, it's during his tenure that we have borrowed Sh7 trillion. People need food, jobs, and a stable economy. County governments are getting 15 per cent and the national government gets 85 per cent and you want them to develop. We must believe we are going to manage our country if there's fairness and equity in funds distribution," said Onyonka. 

Emuhaya MP Omboko Milemba said there's a need to protect counties by demanding timely disbursement of funds by the national government.

Mumias East MP Peter Salaysa accused President Ruto of seeking to control Parliament which is supposed to oversight the Executive.

"You cannot be executive and again you oversight. We need to go back to the drawing board, MPs must be independent in order for them to play their oversight role," said Salasya.

The CoG and COB clashed following revelation by the National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi that the exchequer had released all monies owed to counties.

However, counties are yet to receive the funds because the process takes two weeks from the Central Bank CRF account to counties’ accounts.

In an update on Monday, November 18, the Ministry of Treasury and Economic Planning said it had fully disbursed the funds to counties except for November.

"A total of Sh158,024,092,590.00 has been disbursed so far for the months of June (arrears), July, August, September, and October. So far, all payments except for the current month of November have been settled," the Ministry said.

According to documents seen by The Standard, the Ministry disbursed Sh30.8 billion in June and Sh32.7 billion in July, Sh30.8 billion and Sh32.7 billion in August and September respectively.By Jackline Inyanji and Benard Lusigi, The Standard

Environment Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale. [Standard, File]

Environment Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has explained why there has been tree cutting in Karura Forest. In a statement on Saturday, November 23, Duale clarified that the removal of Eucalyptus trees is part of a long-term forest conversion plan, which involves replacing these exotic trees with indigenous species.

The initiative, he said, is guided by the Forest Conservation and Management Act of 2016 and aims to restore the forest to its natural state.
Duale's comments followed an online uproar after Kenyans shared videos of Kenya Forest Service (KFS) rangers cutting down trees in the forest and loading logs onto lorries.

Speculation online suggested the deforestation was part of a plot to grab Karura land or develop infrastructure.

He explained that the current activity is in line with the Karura Forest Participatory Forest Management Plan (PFMP), developed with input from a range of stakeholders.
The plan envisions a phased transformation of the forest, including the removal of non-native species and the eventual replacement of Eucalyptus trees with indigenous varieties.

“The forest is being managed in accordance with the provisions of the Forest Conservation and Management Act of 2016,” said Duale. 
“The current activities align with the forest management plan, which aims to restore the forest ecosystem to its indigenous state.”

The conversion process also involves licensed timber industry investors who are clearing the Eucalyptus trees through a procurement process outlined by the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act of 2015.
Duale stressed that the decision to cut down the trees was made in accordance with the law and was not intended to facilitate any land grab or development.

He urged the public to focus on the forest’s long-term conservation goals instead of isolated footage circulating online.

“The various video footage and reactions do not represent the actual reality of the Karura Forest conservation efforts,” he added. By David Njaaga, The Standard