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Local Festivals To Attend In Nigeria During December Holidays

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The wheel of 2023 is about to turn full circle and thus many Nigerians are making plans to unwind in the coming days after about 345 days of hustling and bustling.

The December festive period is also a time that Nigerians come together to celebrate, and party with friends, family, and loved ones.

Also, the festive period is the time that top entertainers in the country stage their concerts to showcase their talents and entertain their fans while ensuring fun seekers have an unforgettable experience.

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In this report, The PUNCH highlights seven must-attend events during the festive season in Nigeria.

READ ALSO: JUST IN: PDP Rejects Suspension Of Imo Chairman

Calabar Carnival: The Calabar Carnival takes place in the city of Calabar, Cross River State. The festival, which runs for two weeks, features colorful parades, music, and dance. The quality of the festival has grown over the years making it Nigeria’s biggest carnival and an internationally recognised festival. It used to be a month-long event that began on the 1st of December until the administration of Governor Benedict Ayade reduced it to two weeks.

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The Experience: The Experience is an annual, free gospel music concert held at the Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos Island, Nigeria. The concert features local and international artists such as Kirk Franklin, CeCe Winans, Donnie McClurkin, Don Moen, Frank Edwards, Nathaniel Bassey, and Chioma Jesus. The Experience is recognised as one of Africa’s largest musical events.

Lagos Countdown: This annual event is held at the Eko Atlantic City in Lagos and features fireworks, live music, and a carnival atmosphere. The countdown to the New Year is a highlight of the night, with crowds gathering to watch the spectacular display.

Ogwashi-Uku Carnival: This is one of Nigeria’s oldest and most colourful carnivals that attracts thousands of people to Delta State. It is a three-day carnival that begins December 24 and ends December 26 featuring a carnival float procession, cultural dances, musical concerts, fashion shows, dinner parties, quizzes, competitions, talent hunts and displays targeted at the progress and development of the community.

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READ ALSO: Why I Visited Kuje Prison – Ooni Of Ife

Lekki Sun Splash: Organised at Maiyegun Beach on Lekki Peninsula in Lagos on December 25 and 26, Lekki Sun Splash is a music festival with different artistes showcasing their talents. Renowned artistes from all genres of local music such as juju, fuji, gospel, reggae, disco, and high life among others attend the event.

Igue/Ewere festival: The Igue or Ewere festival is an annual cultural event in Benin, Edo State. The festival which takes place in December in Benin City boasts of acrobatic displays, costumed dancing and a procession to the Oba of Benin Palace. It is a festival showcasing the rich Benin culture.

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CARNIRIV: This is one of the biggest festivals in Nigeria that is annually held in Rivers State. It is a free 7-day funfair with an abundance of seafood. The carnival is a blend of culture, tradition, fashion and lifestyle fused to showcase the rich heritage of Africa. The carnival is used to display the rich cultural heritage and glamour of the Rivers people.
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Insecurity: Former NYSC Director Tasks Corps Members On Self, Environmental Consciousness

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A retired Director, Information and Public Relations, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Directorate Headquarters, Eddy Megwa, has called on all corps members serving in the country to take their personal security seriously, always be self and environmental conscious.

The former Director made the call at the Bauchi NYSC permanent orientation camp, Wailo, Ganjuwa Local Government Area of the state on Monday.

He warned that the times were evil, therefore vigilance, self consciousness and consciousness of the environment were of paramount importance.

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He also called on them to serve the nation with loyalty, commitment and zeal for patriotism, adding that no nation grew without the selfless service of the citizens and called on the corps members to rise up and make the desired change.

READ ALSO:FG Enlists NYSC Members In Campaign To Fight Small Arms, Light Weapons Proliferation In Northeast

I want to urge you all to deliberately work towards building a great nation of our collective dreams.

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“This is because if we have a country that is working very well, the youths will not be desperate about relocating to other countries of the world for greener pastures,” he said.

Megwa further discouraged the youth from illegal migration, describing it as a suicide mission as many of such ‘desperate people’ ended up losing their lives in the Sahara desert in the most gruesome manner.

The former NYSC Spokesman encouraged the corps members to strive for excellence in all they do and achieve even what their forebears could not achieve.

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“There are a whole lot of opportunities you have now and can leverage on which the older generation never had.”

READ ALSO: FG Approves New NYSC Mandatory Regulations

He told his audience not to put their names and their families into disrepute by getting themselves involved in crimes and other unwholesome activities.

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“The Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme of the NYSC is the panacea to graduate unemployment.

“I want to, therefore, advise you to take advantage of the programme by learning skills that will be useful to you in the future.”

Earlier, Mr Umoren Kufre, the state’s Coordinator of NYSC, appreciated the retired Director for the visit and words of motivation to both camp officials and corps members.

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He described the former Director as a living legend that shaped the NYSC Public Relations Unit to what it is today and left his footprints boldly.

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NiMet Predicts Three-day Sunshine, Cloudiness From Monday

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The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted sunshine and haziness from Monday to Wednesday across the country.‎

NiMet’s weather outlook released on Sunday in Abuja envisaged sunny skies over the entire northern region throughout the forecast period on Monday.‎

It envisaged ‎sunny skies with patches of clouds over the entire central region.‎”For the southern region, ‎cloudy atmosphere with sunshine intervals is anticipated over the region with slim chances of isolated thunderstorms over parts of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, and Cross River during the afternoon to evening hours,” it said‎According to NiMet, dust haze is anticipated over Kebbi, Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, Kano, Jigawa, Borno, and Yobe on Tuesday throughout the forecast period.‎It anticipated sunny skies with cloud patches over the entire central region.

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READ ALSO:NiMet Forecasts Rain, Flash Floods Nationwide

“For ‎southern region, ‎cloudy skies are expected over the region with slim prospects of isolated thunderstorms over parts of ‎Cross River during morning hours.‎” Isolated thunderstorms are anticipated over parts of Delta, Ogun, Ondo, Lagos, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River later in the day,” it said.‎

The agency predicted dust haze over the northern region throughout the forecast period on Wednesday.‎NiMet anticipated a sunny and hazy atmosphere over the entire central region.‎”For the southern region, cloudy atmosphere are over the region in the morning hours.‎

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“Later in the day, isolated thunderstorms with moderate rains are anticipated over parts of Lagos, Ondo, Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ekiti, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers ” it said.

READ ALSO:NiMet Forecasts Rain, Flash Floods Nationwide

NiMet urged the public to drive under the rain with caution and to take necessary precautions as ‎dust particles would be in suspension over the northern region.

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NiMet advised people with asthmatic health conditions and other respiratory issues to be cautious of the present weather ‎conditions.

‎”Airline operators are advised to get airport-specific weather reports (flight documentation) from NiMet for effective planning in their operations.‎” Residents are advised to stay informed through weather updates from NiMet – visit our website – www.nimet.gov.ng.

 

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MOWAA: Why I Will Not Appear Before Edo Assembly Panel — Obaseki

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The immediate past governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has given reasons he would not appear before the Edo State House of Assembly Ad-hoc Committee set up to investigate funding and ownership of the Museum of West African Arts (MOWAA) and the Radisson Blu Hotel.

The Edo Assembly set up the panel following a request by Governor Monday Okpebholo that the Assembly should probe funding and ownership of the projects.

Amongst what the governor requested the Assembly to investigate is the state government’s N3.8bn investment in the MOWAA and N28bn in Radisson Hotel.

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Former Governor Obaseki is scheduled to appear before the Committee on Thursday, December 4th, 2025.

READ ALSO:Edo Assembly Invites Obaseki, Others For Questioning Over MOWAA

The Committee, had in a letter signed by its Secretary, Bekisu Oshone Wilson, said attendance by Obaseki and others were required as part of the committee’s investigation.

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Obaseki, who spoke through his media adviser, Crusoe Osagie, said it was offensive and laughable for the Assembly to invite him over a matter that was already in court.

He said the Edo Assembly should learn to know how the law works.

The former Edo Governor said he could not be subjected to answering separately on the same issue.

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READ ALSO:MOWAA Authorities Shun Edo Assembly Committee, Give Reason

It is subjudice for the former Governor to appear before the Edo Assembly in a matter already in court.

“Why subject him to another round of questioning on the same issues?”

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Management of MOWAA had also refused to appear before the Edo Assembly Ad Hoc Committee.

Its Counsel, Olayiwola Afolabi, said the Assembly could only make recommendations but that the Court would make the final decision on the issues.

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