Tag Archives: Carnival

Group sues RunTown for N14m over failure to perform at carnival

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An Anambra youth association, Dynamic Minds League (DML), has sued a recording artist, Douglas Jack Agu (popularly known as Runtown) at the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja over an alleged breach of contract. DML is claiming N14.3 million damages from the musician.

The group, through its president, Chizuo Anetoh, said it agreed with Runtown to perform at the popular harmattan carnival held last January 1 in Adazi-Nnukwu town.

The claimant, through its counsel, Raphael Anagbado, said it contacted the musician’s management company, Eric Many Entertainment, and after a meeting with the manager, Armani Henshaw, a fee of N800,000 was agreed, which was fully paid.

Based on the agreement, the group said it printed fliers to advertise the show’s ticket prices of N3,000 for VIP and N1,000 regular, which were posted across the state. The association said it also booked for two hotel rooms for the musician and his manager, and paid for their flight tickets to Port Harcourt, from where they would head for Anambra by road.

The claimant said Henshaw demanded that four armed mobile policemen be provided to escort them to the venue, but the group was only able to provide two.

According to the claimant, when the artiste and his manager arrived Port Harcourt, they refused to be escorted by the two armed policemen, and eventually refused to attend the event on the basis that it was already late.

“The carnival took place without the attendance of Runtown, who was billed to perform between 1:00a.m. to 2:00a.m. Cash refunds were made to many people who demanded a refund because Runtown was the high point and attraction, which justified the ticket prices. Due to the absence of Runtown, the association lost millions of naira in expected profit and severe damage to its reputation,” the claimant said.

The association is, therefore, praying the court to order Runtown to refund the N800,000, pay it N2 million as special damages, which covers cash refunds to guests, cost of fliers, radio jingles and hotel reservation; as well as N10 million as general damages for loss of revenue; N1 million as exemplary damages, and N500,000 as cost of the suit.

During hearing before Justice Josephine Oyefeso, Anagbado said his client called the musician several times to demand a refund without a response. He said he sent a letter proposing settlement, which was not accepted.

In his response, Runtown, through his counsel, E. O. Ekeocha filed a preliminary objection. He also said he would not make any reimbursements or pay damages as demanded by the claimant. He accused the claimant of breach of contract for alleged late provision of armed security personnel as escort to the venue.

Justice Oyefeso adjourned until January 25, 2017 for ruling on the preliminary objection.

Street Carnival: Lagos Government to shut major roads on Victoria Island

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The Lagos State Government yesterday said it would shut down Ahmadu Bello Way, Tiamiyu Savage, Akin Adesola and Bishop Oluwole as it holds the maiden edition of its street party next Saturday and Sunday.

 

The state government, therefore, urged all residents and visitors to use alternative roads it had already provided to avoid traffic congestion and gridlock on Victoria Island and its adjoining neighborhoods.

 

The acting state Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Olarenwaju Elegushi, disclosed this at a news conference he addressed alongside his information and strategy counterpart, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, and Special Adviser on Arts and Culture, Mrs. Adebimpe Akinsola, among others.

 

Elegushi said the whole stretch of Ahmadu Bello Way would be closed to vehicular movement between December 3 and 4 and would lead to Tiamiyu Savage, Akin Adesola and Bishop Oluwole and Ahmadu Bello Way being condoned off as a result.

 

He added that all traffic into the venue of Lagos Street party would be condoned off at Bishop Oluwole, noting that all with participants parking at Eko Atlantic premises and traffic within Victoria Island would be diverted.

 

On traffic diversion, the commissioner urged the motorists “to connect to Karimu Kotun and further to Oloosa Street with that journey terminating at the Ocean View end by Eko Hotels. Those coming from Ligali Ayorinde and Ajose Adeogun will also terminate their journey at Eko Hotels.

 

“Even those from Civic Centre and Ozumba Mbadiwe will also terminate the journey at Eko Hotels. For those existing Eko Hotels, they will travel through the Roundabout to connect Sanusi Fafunwa through Akin Adesola.”

 

He explained that those returning to Ahmadu Bello “will use Akin Adesola from where they could connect to Falomo, while those going to Falomo would use Akin Adesola to connect Falomo Bridge through Saka Tinubu through Karimu Kotun and Olosa Street.

 

“Since we are taking this route and restricting movement we feel duty bound to provide information on alternative routes that people can take on the two days of the party. It is our plan to mount and deploy adequate traffic diversion signs and personnel to monitor and montage traffic.”

 

Also at the conference, Ayorinde said the state government had provided alternative routes for motorists, saying businesses in Victoria Island would not have to close down because of the street party.

 

He said about 500,000 participants were expected on each day of the Lagos State Street Party, adding that adequate security had been put in place for safety of lives and property.

Over 50,000 tourists expected during Calabar Carnival

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The Cross River Government says on Thursday it expects over 50,000 tourists from across the world to visit the new Calasvegas tourism city during this year’s Calabar Carnival.

Mr George Ekpungu, the Commissioner for New Cities Development, said this while on advocacy visit to traditional rulers and elders of Nsutan community in Calabar South Local Government.

He told the traditional leaders that the government would transform the Twins island located in the area into a city, to boost tourism.

Ekpungu, accompanied by Mr Oliver Orok, the Commissioner for Social Welfare and Sustainable Development, said the city would be completed before the 2016 Calabar carnival.

“My chiefs and traditional rulers, I am here today to solicit your supports and cooperation in view of the state government plan to transform the Twin island into Calasvegas city.

“Every community belongs to the owners; this city cannot come into limelight without your supports.

“Tourism is one of the most essential commodities that Cross River has.

“Governor Ben Ayade is determined to develop the state with a view to attract more investors for business and leisure. I appeal to you to support the development of this city.

“When fully developed, over 50,000 tourists that will be in Calabar for the carnival and will be taken on a boat ride to visit the city.

“This will generate revenue for the state and the host community will also get royalties.

“We are also putting in place adequate security for tourists that will visit the city’’, he said.

Responding, Etubom Macah-Archibong, Clan Head of Nsutan community, expressed happiness over the project.

According to him, the Marina beach was the home of tourism in Calabar, as it is natural and friendly to visitors.

Another traditional ruler, Mr Ekpeyong Effiong-Iyamba, said that the new city would further develop the community and boost economic activities in the area.

Other traditional rulers, who spoke during the visit, also pledged their support for the project.