Lai Mohammed gives tourism credits to Wizkid, Burna Boy, Davido, Tiwa Savage

 

They have shown the world that Nigeria is a hub of the creative industry – Lai Mohammed. 

The Federal Government acknowledged the contribution of Wizkid, Burna Boy, Davido, and Tiwa Savage, to cultural tourism, while declaring that the country is safe to host the first Global Conference on Cultural Tourism and Creative Industry scheduled for November 14 to 17 in Lagos. 

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, said this when he featured on a phone-in programme of the Radio Nigeria monitored by newsmen in Abuja.

Newsmen report that Nigeria was given the hosting right for the maiden global event by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) at a meeting held at the organisation’s headquarters in Madrid Spain on April 19.

“The Wiz Kid of this world, the Burna Boy, Davido and Tiwa Savage have really shown the world that Nigeria is a hub of the creative industry", he said. Mohammed said the insinuation in certain quarters that participants and tourists would not attend the conference because of stories of killings and kidnappings in the country are erroneous.

“The security challenges Nigeria is facing did not start today and I must say the Federal Government is rising very stoutly to it.

“We cannot say just because we have insecurity challenge, other sectors of the economy should not be developed.

“The entire world is aware of the challenges we are facing, yet we were singled out for the hosting of the very first global conference and that speaks volumes.

“That is why Nigerians should get out the negativity and look at the positive aspect of it,’’ he said. The minister said that insecurity is a global challenge and countries with worse situations than Nigeria were developing their tourism potential.

“During our meeting in Spain, there was no issue raised on insecurity in Nigeria as a barrier.

“That is why Nigerians should get out the negativity and look at the positive aspect of it,’’ he said. The minister said that insecurity is a global challenge and countries with worse situations than Nigeria were developing their tourism potential.

“Britain for instance, for more than 40 years, was in the grip of the IRA and that did not prevent the country from hosting global events.

“I recalled that even before the call for a peace process in June 1997, Britain bided for the world cup 1996 which, though they lost.

“During our meeting in Spain, there was no issue raised on insecurity in Nigeria as a barrier.

“On the contrary, the UNWTO was even expanding the scope of the conference and they did not make a mistake in choosing Nigeria to host the maiden conference,’’ he said.

https://www.pulse.ng/news/local/lai-mohammed-gives-tourism-credits-to-wizkid-burna-boy-davido-tiwa-savage/kqxzekr

Johnny Depp (Captain Jack Sparrow) on Trial

 

Johnny Depp’s United States defamation trial against his ex-wife Amber Heard started on April 16. The trial is supposed to last six weeks and, just like a movie, is already full of twists, turns, suspense and drama.

In 2012, Depp, who acted as Jack Sparrow in the famous movie, Pirates of the Carribean and started dating actress Heard. In 2014 they were engaged, and in 2015 were married. But by 2016, Heard filed for divorce stating irreconcilable differences. Soon after, Heard filed an order of protection saying Depp emotionally, verbally and physically abused her. Heard wrote an op-ed for “The Washington Post” speaking out against violence against women and the price they pay for speaking up against men. Depp claims these allegations led to Depp being dropped by Disney from the “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise and axed from Warner Brothers’ “Fantastic Beasts” franchise.

The Trial Goes On

After 13 days of testimony, attorneys for Johnny Depp rested their case in their defamation trial against Amber Heard on Tuesday.

Depp is suing Heard, his ex-wife, alleging that a 2018 op-ed she penned defamed him and caused him to lose work in Hollywood.

Jurors have heard from more than two dozen witnesses called by Depp's attorneys, including Depp himself. Many testified about explosive fights between the two.

Minutes after Depp's legal team rested its case, Heard's attorneys presented a motion to strike the entire case, arguing that Depp did not prove his defamation case. The motion to strike is a common tactic and asked the judge to make a summary judgment.

Judge Penny Azcarate partially denied the motion based on two arguments but said she would continue to consider one other argument if the evidence is presented relating to it when Heard's team presents its case.

Heard's legal team began presenting its case on Tuesday with testimony from psychologist Dawn Hughes.

Who is Johnny Depp?

John Christopher Depp II was born on June 9, 1963. He is an American actor, producer, and musician. He is the recipient of multiple accolades, including a Golden Globe Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award, in addition to nominations for three Academy Awards and two British Academy Film Awards.