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GLOBAL TOURISM CONFAB: My Regret for Coming to Nigeria Without Family  – UNWTO Boss

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UNWTO proposes Hollywood-Nollywood collaborations to export African culture

Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili, the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO)  Secretary-General has expressed regret in coming to Nigeria for the Organisation’s first Global Conference on Linking Tourism, Culture, and Creative Industries.

Speaking at a Gala Dinner and Command Performance in Lagos, the UNWTO boss said the regret was that he came to Nigeria without his friends and family members to witness the hospitality, music, and top-notch cultural performances he and other participants were treated to.

 One of the activities lined up for the three-day conference aimed at transforming the tourism sector into a preferred sector, and the creative industry into a creative economy.

“I really regret that I did not come here with my family members and friends to witness all these performances, but I will be back

“I want to say that It is really amazing and many thanks you showed us the best of your country, the best of the culture of your country, which is really unique.

“That is why people around the world have to come to Nigeria.

“That is why you need more international visitors to come here to see the beauty and see all these authentic cultures you have,” he said.

Pololikashvili expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for accepting to host the conference and wished the country “peace, prosperity, health, wealth and all the best”.

He commended the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed for his passion for the industry and for his wisdom which he said the Organisation had benefited from immensely.

“Nigeria has one of the best tourism ministers in the world and  I am sure that the ministers here will agree and will not be upset with me.

“Thank you Mr. Minister for your good heart, for your wisdom for your hospitality because tourism is about hospitality and friendship, nothing else.

“You are really the best example of how to be a good boss, and how to be a good friend,” he said.

Earlier while welcoming the guests to the gala night, the minister said he was not ready to bore them with speeches but to allow them to partake in what the country could offer in the area of entertainment.

Mohammed however thanked his colleague’s Ministers from Namibia, Ivory Coast, Congo Kinshasa,

 Gambia, Togo, Benin, and Sierra Leone for honoring him by being at the gala night.

He also thanked all the experts that participated in the workshops as well as everybody who in one way or another other had contributed to making the conference a success.

The highlights of the night were cultural dances and displays by the Nigerian troupe and dance drama on the unity of Nigeria.

There were also cultural dances of the Ashanti from Ghana, Kikuyu from Kenya, and Zulu from South Africa performed by Bolanle Austen-Peters Production.

The Awards were given to individuals, entities, and corporate bodies on culture, tourism,  and creativity categories.

Some of the awardees in the culture category are, the Ofala Festival which was received personally by the Obi of Onitsha, His Majesty Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, and some members of his traditional council.

The award given to Argungu Fishing Festival was received by three Emirs from Argungu Emirate in Kebbi state while the Osun Oshogbo Festival also received award on the culture category.

Some of the awardees in tourism and creativity categories are Goge Africa Productions, Wale Akinboboye, Segun Arinze, Charles Novia, Ali Baba, Ali Nuhu, Bolanle Austen-Peters Chioma Ude, and Dare Art-Alade.

 The high points of the night were the christening of Pololikashvili with three Nigerian names, Danladi, Anaemeka, and Omotunde.

The Secretary-General, his team, Mohammed and other tourism ministers at the gala nite also thrilled the audience when they danced to Nigerian ace musician, Kizz Daniel’s hit song, “Buga’’.

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U.S. strikes 2 targets in Syria in response to ‘continued attacks’

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The U.S. military struck two facilities in eastern Syria used by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Iran-affiliated groups in response to “continued attacks” against U.S. personnel in Iraq and Syria, the Pentagon said on Sunday.

The strikes were conducted against a training facility in Abu Kamal and a safe house in Mayadin in the eastern governorate of Deir Ezzor, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a brief statement.

The U.S. struck similar targets in eastern Syria in October and earlier in November.

Pro-Iranian militias have intensified their attacks on U.S. military bases in Syria and Iraq in recent weeks as a response to the Israeli military campaign in Gaza.

The security situation in the entire region has been particularly tense since Oct. 7, when Hamas militants staged deadly attacks in southern Israel.

Israel is responding with an overwhelming air and ground offensive in Gaza.

As a deterrent, the U.S. has moved more weapons systems, warships and air squadrons to the Eastern Mediterranean, and is deploying several hundred troops to the Middle East to support US units there.

U.S. President Joe Biden had ordered Sunday’s action to make it clear that the U.S. was defending itself, its personnel, and its interests, Austin stressed.

The U.S. is prepared to take further necessary measures to protect its own people and interests.

  • dpa
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Russia writes off $23bn debt for Africa – Putin

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Russia sends almost 12m tons of grain to Africa says Putin

…Pledges additional $90 million***

Vladimir Putin, the Russian President, says the Russian Government has written off $23 billion debt burden of African countries.

Putin spoke at the plenary session of the ongoing second Russia–Africa Summit 2023 held from July 27 to July 28.

He said Moscow would allocate an additional $90 million for these purposes.

Putin said Russia was advocating the expansion of representation of African countries in the UN Security Council and other UN structures.

“Russia and Africa strive to develop cooperation in all areas and strengthen ‘honest, open, constructive’ partnership.

“Russia will also assist in opening new African embassies and consulates in Russia,” he said.

According to him, the reopening of embassies in Burkina Faso and Equatorial Guinea is going as planned.

He said sovereignty was “not a one-time achieved state,” and it must be constantly protected.

Putin also offered assistance to Africa in countering threats such as terrorism, piracy, and transnational crimes adding that it would continue to train personnel from African countries.

He assured that Russian businesses have a lot to offer partners from Africa.

Putin said transition to national currencies and the establishment of transport and logistics chains would contribute to the increase in mutual trade turnover.

“Russia is ready to provide trade preferences to Africa, support the creation of modern production sectors, agricultural sector, and provide assistance through relevant international structures and agencies.

“Russia will always be a responsible international supplier of agricultural products,” he said.

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U.S. Coastguard Finds ‘debris field’ Near Missing Vessel

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A “debris field” has been discovered within the search area for the missing Titan submersible, the U.S. Coastguard (USCG) said on Thursday.

The agency said a remotely-operated vehicle made the discovery near the wreckage of the Titanic on Thursday.

The hunt for the missing deep-sea vessel is still an “active search and rescue” mission after it lost communication on Sunday.

The vessel was about 700 kilometres south of St John’s, Newfoundland, during a voyage to the Titanic shipwreck off the coast of Canada.

Coastguard officials said they were “evaluating the information” following Thursday’s debris discovery.

A press conference will be held at the Coastguard base in Boston to “discuss the findings” at 8pm (1900 GMT).

Rear Admiral John Mauger, the first Coastguard district commander, and Captain Jamie Frederick, first Coastguard district response coordinator, will lead the press conference.

Founding member of the Board of Trustees of The Explorers Club, Hamish Harding, was on board the undersea craft, alongside UK-based businessman Shahzada Dawood, his son Suleman Dawood, and OceanGate’s chief executive and founder Stockton Rush, as well as French submersible pilot Paul-Henri Nargeolet.

The USCG said the ROV that made the discovery was from the Canadian Horizon Arctic ship – with the debris being found on the sea floor near the Titanic wreckage.

Assistance from the Royal Air Force (RAF) is due to arrive in St John’s on Thursday after it confirmed a request was received overnight for help with the movement of additional commercial equipment.

Two RAF planes, a C-17 Globemaster and A400 Atlas, departed RAF Lossiemouth in north-east Scotland on Thursday.

A British submariner and equipment from a UK firm have been sent to help the search at the request of the U.S. Coastguard, Downing Street said.

Royal Navy submariner Lieutenant Commander Richard Kantharia, who was on exchange with the U.S. Navy, has been seconded to the search and rescue team.

OceanGate Expeditions estimated the oxygen supply on the 6.7 metre-long vessel would last 96 hours, giving rescuers a deadline of around midday on Thursday.

Experts said the chances of finding the sub and rescuing those inside were diminishing.

Former Royal Navy submarine captain Ryan Ramsey told the PA news agency: “The outlook is bleak, that’s the only word for it as this tragic event unfolds and almost the closing stages of where this changes from rescue to a salvage mission.”

The Titan is believed to be about 900 miles east and 400 miles south of Newfoundland.

It is not known how deep the vessel is, with the seabed being around 3,800 metres from the surface. 

– dpa

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