All posts by Abdulrauf Wumi

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    <h2>1. Event Venues for Every Occasion</h2>
    PWC Fairgrounds boasts a diverse range of occasion venues appropriate for each event. From intimate gatherings to large-scale conferences, our venues are equipped with fashionable facilities and customizable spaces to meet your specific needs. Plan your next occasion with us for an unforgettable expertise.
    <h3>1.1 Indoor Spaces</h3>
    Our indoor occasion areas present a climate-controlled surroundings, guaranteeing your occasion is comfortable and gratifying whatever the weather. With versatile layouts and cutting-edge know-how, these areas are perfect for conferences, trade exhibits, and exhibitions.
    <h3>1.2 Outdoor Facilities</h3>
    Host your event underneath the open sky in our spacious outside amenities. Whether it is a wedding ceremony, music festival, or community truthful, our outside venues provide a picturesque setting for any outdoor celebration.
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<section>
    <h2>2. RV Parking for Convenient Accommodation</h2>
    For these traveling in leisure automobiles (RVs), PWC Fairgrounds supplies handy and safe RV parking facilities. Enjoy the flexibleness of bringing your house on wheels and immerse yourself within the occasion atmosphere with out worrying about accommodation logistics.
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<section>
    <h2>3. Performance Centers for Spectacular Shows</h2>
    Experience world-class performances in our state-of-the-art performance facilities. Whether it's a stay live performance, theatrical manufacturing, or dance efficiency, our venues are outfitted with top-notch sound and lighting systems to make sure an immersive and memorable entertainment expertise.
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<section>
    <h2>4. Cultural Festivals: A Celebration of Diversity</h2>
    At PWC Fairgrounds, we take delight in internet hosting cultural festivals that remember the wealthy variety of our neighborhood. Immerse yourself within the vibrant colours, flavors, and traditions of different cultures as we come collectively to appreciate and learn from one another.
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<section>
    <h2>5. Semi Truck Parking for Logistics Convenience</h2>
    For occasions that contain logistics and transportation, our semi-truck parking services guarantee handy entry for vendors and exhibitors. We understand the significance of clean logistics within the success of an occasion and provide devoted areas to accommodate massive vehicles.
</section>
<section>
    <h2>Conclusion</h2>
    Discover the all-encompassing choices of PWC Fairgrounds, the place occasion venues, RV parking, efficiency facilities, cultural festivals, and semi-truck parking come together to create a hub for various celebrations. Explore the probabilities and plan your subsequent event with us for an unparalleled experience.
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<section>
    <h2>Frequently Asked Questions</h2>
    <h3>Q1: How can I guide an event venue at PWC Fairgrounds?</h3>
    A1: Booking an event venue is simple. Simply visit our web site at https://pwcfair.com/ and navigate to the 'Book Your Event' section for detailed instructions.
    <h3>Q2: Is there on-site lodging for event attendees?</h3>
    A2: While we don't present on-site accommodation, we provide convenient RV parking amenities for these traveling in recreational automobiles. Check our RV parking choices for a cushty stay.
    <h3>Q3: Are there restrictions on the type of cultural festivals hosted?</h3>
    A3: We welcome a diverse range of cultural festivals. If you're excited about internet hosting a cultural event, contact our occasions team for extra info on the application process and tips.
    <h3>Q4: What facilities are available within the indoor event spaces?</h3>
    A4: Our indoor event areas are equipped with fashionable facilities, together with audio-visual facilities, seating preparations, and local weather management to ensure a cushty surroundings on your occasion.
    <h3>Q5: How can vendors access semi-truck parking facilities?</h3>
    A5: Vendors and exhibitors requiring semi-truck parking can coordinate with our logistics group. Details on accessing and utilizing semi-truck parking areas can be obtained through our logistics department.
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Elon Musk ends the year with a whopping $92 billion in year-to-date earnings in 2023, indicating a comeback for the world’s wealthiest person.

According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, his puts Elon Musk at the top of the list, leading the pack of the combined net worth of the 500 richest people, which totals $1.5 trillion, a $1.4 trillion gain from the previous year.

These individuals’ fortunes closely paralleled the performance of technology stocks, which reached historic highs despite fears of an approaching recession, persistent inflation, high interest rates, and geopolitical uncertainty.

The wealth of tech billionaires increased by 48%, totaling $658 billion, fueled by the excitement surrounding artificial intelligence.

Among this select group, Elon Musk reclaimed the title of world’s richest person, edging out French luxury billionaire, Bernard Arnault.

By the end of Thursday, Tesla Inc.’s CEO had amassed an additional $95.4 billion, fueled by the triumphs of both Tesla and SpaceX, effectively recovering from a $138 billion loss in 2022.

Musk’s net worth now exceeds Arnault’s by more than $50 billion, as LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE shares fell due to a global drop in luxury goods demand.

Elon Musk’s notable $92 billion fortune increase year-to-date, reaching a valuation of $229 billion, occurred against the backdrop of controversy surrounding his social media activities, including an antisemitic remark that forced big sponsors such as Walt Disney, Sony, and IBM to sever ties with the platform.

Despite obstacles, Musk’s Tesla reached significant milestones in the first three quarters, tripling its shares and breaking its previous annual sales record.

However, the business suffered setbacks due to lowered prices to encourage demand in the face of increased competition in the electric vehicle sector, placing pressure on Tesla’s profit margins.

Simultaneously, the founder of Amazon.com Inc.,  Jeff Bezos, increased his fortune by more than $70 billion, putting him in a close competition with Arnault for second place.

The CEO of Meta Platforms Inc., Mark Zuckerberg, saw his wealth rise by more than $80 billion.

However, not everyone enjoyed an increase in wealth. Following the devaluation of the Adani Group by short-seller Hindenburg Research, Indian billionaire Gautam Adani had a severe setback, losing $21 billion on January 27 alone and a total of $37.3 billion for the year. Despite this, Adani still controls a sizable 11-figure fortune.

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The Forbes’ Real-Time Billionaires list has revealed that three Nigerian billionaires – Aliko Dangote, Abdulsamad Rabiu, and Mike Adenuga’s combined wealth would fall by $9.3 billion in 2023.

The Forbes’ wealth-tracking tool gives ongoing updates on each individual confirmed to be a billionaire’s net worth and ranking.

When relevant stock markets are open, the value of individuals’ public holdings is updated every five minutes.

Dangote, Rabiu, and Adenuga’s fortunes fell 33.9 percent to $18.1 billion as of 3 p.m. on December 29, 2023, down from $27.4 billion on January 30.

According to the data, Dangote’s fortune has plummeted by $4.1 billion to $9.4 billion, Rabiu’s fortune has dropped by $1.9 billion to $5.7 billion, and Adenuga’s fortune has dropped by $3.3 billion to $3 billion.

“The devaluation of the naira would have affected their wealth because the currency has lost its value against the dollar,” said managing director of Afrinvest Consulting Limited, Abiodun Keripe.

He went on to say that the billionaires have the majority of their enterprises in Nigeria and that converting the worth of their businesses from naira to dollar will result in a loss of value.

The liberalization of the foreign exchange rules in June as part of economic stimulus measures resulted in a significant depreciation of the naira.

The Central Bank of Nigeria consolidated all components of the foreign exchange market into the Investors and Exporters window and reinstated the willing buyer, willing seller model.

Since then, the naira has continued to fall in value versus the US dollar and other major foreign currencies.

As of December 28, the official exchange rate has dropped from N463.38/$ to N1,043.09/$. On the parallel market, the naira fell from 762/$ to 1,210/$.

In June, Forbes claimed that Dangote had lost his position as Africa’s richest person for the first time in 12 years. It was reported that Johann Rupert of South Africa, who amassed a fortune in luxury products and other areas, had surpassed the Nigerian industrialist.

“The decline of Dangote’s fortune came in the wake of the CBN’s decision to float its currency, the naira, on June 14, abandoning the fixed exchange rate with the U.S. dollar,” the report said.

According to the newest 2023 Billionaires Ambitious report, billionaires in Nigeria raised the country’s wealth by 19.7 percent in one year, three weeks ago.

According to a research by a major investment bank and financial services firm, UBS, their total worth increased to $28.5 billion in April 2023 from $23.8 billion the previous year.

“An obvious reason for the uptick in wealth would be the benefit of the stronger oil price, given that Nigeria is usually Africa’s biggest oil producer,” according to analysts at UBS.

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The Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market, the official FX window, saw a 11.4 per cent depreciation of the Naira against the Dollar on Friday, December 1, closing at N927.19/$1, from Thursday’s exchange rate of N832.32/$1.

This depreciation put the Naira on the back burner for the first trading session of the final month of 2023.

The domestic currency declined in the spot market on Sunday as a result of the December rush for foreign exchange, as the supply of foreign currency could not keep up with demand.

According to data, the value of FX transactions that were recorded at the market during the trading day was $110.14 million, down from $115.41 million the day before, indicating a decline of 4.6 per cent or $5.27 million.

The unregulated foreign exchange market experienced pressure on Friday due to the official market’s incapacity to meet the demand of customers. The local currency lost N5 in value against the US dollar in the parallel market, closing at N1,165/$1, as opposed to N1,160/$1, on Thursday.

However on Sunday, in the Peer-to-Peer window, the value of the Nigerian Naira increased by N8 relative to that of the US dollar, selling for N1,148/$1 as opposed to N1,156/$1.

During the session at NAFEM, the Naira fell N158.01 against the Pound Sterling to settle at N1,204.10/£1, down from N1,046.09/£1 the day before. Against the Euro, it fell N95.37 to sell at N1,036.06/€1, down from N940.69/€1 on Thursday.

The cryptocurrency market, meanwhile, saw mixed results, with Bitcoin rising by 1.9% to $38,112.80, and Dogecoin gained 3.1 per cent to sell at $0.0839.

Additionally, Litecoin gained 0.4% to $70.09, Binance Coin gained 0.4% to $228.88, Cardano expanded by 0.1% to $0.378 and Ethereum increased by 2.7% to $2,090.27. Ripple saw an increase of 0.8% to $0.6105.

Solana saw a slight decline of less than 0.3 percent to close at $60.34, whereas US Dollar Coin and US Dollar Tether ended the day unchanged at $1.00 each.

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North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un wrapped the year with fresh threats of a nuclear attack on Seoul and orders for a military arsenal build-up to prepare for a war that can “break out at any time” on the peninsula, state media reported Sunday.

Kim lambasted the United States during a lengthy speech at the end of five days of year-end party meetings that set his country’s military, political, and economic policy decisions for 2024.

The meeting announced plans for further military development in the coming year, including launching three more spy satellites, building unmanned drones and developing electronic warfare capabilities, as well as strengthening nuclear and missile forces, according to the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

Pyongyang this year successfully launched a reconnaissance satellite, enshrined its status as a nuclear power in its constitution, and test-fired the most advanced intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in its arsenal.

At the meeting that ended Saturday, Kim accused the United States of posing “various types of military threat” and ordered his armed forces to maintain “overwhelming war response capability”, according to KCNA.

It is a “fait accompli that a war can break out at any time on the Korean peninsula due to reckless moves by the enemies to invade us”, Kim said.

In an effort to deter Pyongyang, Washington earlier this month deployed a nuclear-powered submarine in the South Korean port city of Busan, and flew its long-range bombers in drills with Seoul and Tokyo.

The North has previously described the deployment of Washington’s strategic weapons — such as B-52 bombers — in joint drills on the Korean peninsula as the “intentional nuclear war provocative moves”.

“We must respond quickly to a possible nuclear crisis and continue to accelerate preparations to pacify the entire territory of South Korea by mobilising all physical means and forces, including nuclear force, in case of emergency,” Kim said.

– ‘Uncontrollable crisis situation’ –

At the meeting, Kim said he would no longer seek reconciliation and reunification with South Korea, noting the “persisting uncontrollable crisis situation” which he said was triggered by Seoul and Washington.

Inter-Korean relations have deteriorated to a low point this year, with Pyongyang’s spy satellite launch prompting Seoul to partially suspend a 2018 military agreement aimed at defusing tensions.

“I believe that it is a mistake that we should no longer make to consider the people who declare us as the ‘main enemy’… as a counterpart for reconciliation and unification,” KCNA cited Kim as saying.

Kim ordered the drawing-up of measures for reorganising departments handling cross-border affairs, to “fundamentally shift the direction”.

Leif Easley, a professor of international relations at Ewha University in Seoul, said the emphasis on North Korea’s “significant military capabilities” was likely aimed at hiding the country’s poor economic achievements this year.

“Much of what state-controlled media publishes is recycled propaganda,” he said, adding: “Pyongyang’s bellicose rhetoric suggests its military moves are not only about deterrence but also domestic politics and international coercion.”

Pyongyang declared itself an “irreversible” nuclear power last year and has repeatedly said it will never give up its nukes programme, which the regime views as essential for its survival.

The United Nations Security Council has adopted many resolutions calling on North Korea to halt its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes since it first conducted a nuclear test in 2006.

(AFP)

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The General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor Williams Kumuyi, has called on Christians to intensify support for the poor.

The preacher made the call, according to Church Times News Online, in a recent message titled, “Emmanuel, Jesus the Healer,” monitored by our correspondent.

Kumuyi said, “I learnt of a preacher somewhere. He told his congregation now, we are going to collect offerings. He asked those who had N10,000 to give to raise their hands, and he asked those who had N20,000 to give to raise their hands.

“He asked those who had N50,000, they raised their hands. And he said all the money they wanted to give to the church, they should go and give to the poor in their neighbourhood rather than bringing it to the church.

“All the offerings are not just for church. There are poor and unemployed people around. There are indigent people around, but we must build our campground. I understand, we are going to build. But while you are building your neighbours are dying. Those who do not have anything to feed are there. Your fellow brother, your fellow sister have nothing to send children to school.”

(Punch)

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The Bayelsa Government has invited the parents of a four-year-old girl and the 54-year-old man allegedly involved in a marriage in Akeddei community, Sagbama Local Government Area of the state, Sunday PUNCH has learnt.

The government’s intervention is coming on the heels of media reports of a marriage between the child bride and the 54-year-old.

In a statement on Saturday, sighted by our correspondent, the government frowned at the development, terming the ‘union’ illegal.

The statement was jointly signed by the Chairman, Gender Response Initiative Team, Dr. Dise Ogbise-Goddy, and the Director, Child Development at the state Ministry of Women Affairs, Children and Social Development, Mr Paniebi Jacob.

The government said the “illegal marriage” was not based on tradition and customs, adding that it was repugnant to natural justice, equity and good conscience.

It added that it would not support child marriage under any guise.

The government also noted that it had received a formal complaint from a child rights advocacy group, DO Foundation, on the controversial marriage.

Also, the state Human Rights Commission said the traditional ruler of the Akeddei community honoured the government’s invitation and promised to produce the child, her parents, the groom, the youth leader and the chairman of the Community Development Committee.

“The Bayelsa State government did not hesitate to assent to the passage of the Bayelsa State Child Rights Law.

“We are taking steps to rescue the child from all the key actors in this illegal ceremony that they tagged a ‘mere spiritual’ affair.

“The law is clear on issues of tradition and customs that are repugnant to natural justice, equity and good conscience. Working with the Bayelsa State Police Command, we shall ensure incidents like this do not occur in the state again.

“On behalf of the governor of Bayelsa State, we express our gratitude to all the non-governmental organisations, including the International Federation of Women Lawyers and DO Foundation, that have risen to the rescue of this innocent child.

“Bayelsa State is children-friendly and this case will be pursued to a logical conclusion,” it added.

However, several media reports have alleged that the marriage involving the man, simply identified as Elder Akpos, was at the instant of the girl’s parents.

(Punch)

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Bishop of Sokoto Catholic Diocese, Bishop Mathew Kukah, has joined numerous of Nigerians in condemning recent killings in Plateau, asserting that citizens of Nigeria are gradually losing hope in their government’s ability to protect them.

Bishop Kukah in a statement he signed personally and made available to newsmen in the state of Saturday evening said religious leaders; both Muslim and Christians, had continued to use moral authority to encourage their people not to take laws into their hands.

Kukah’s states came on the heels of the killing of over 150 persons in Plateau State on Christmas Eve by suspected terrorists.

According to the statement titled, ‘Blood and Crucifixion on the Plateau’, he said the invisible men came to the Plateau again, bearing their gifts of death and destruction.

He said, “They came from the deepest pit of hell, the habitat of the devils that they are. They are children of darkness, sons of Satan. They opted to extinguish and snatch the light of the joy of Christmas from thousands of people on the Plateau.

(Punch)

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Persistent insecurity, armed conflict, and deteriorating livelihoods will continue to affect local government areas in Borno, Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, Yobe, Zamfara states, and the far north of Adamawa State in Nigeria until May 2024, the World Bank has predicted.

This is as it disclosed that poor macroeconomic conditions are restricting access to agricultural inputs in the country.

This is set to affect cereal production in the country. The global bank revealed this in its latest ‘Food Security Update.’

Estimated cereal production for the 2023/24 crop year is expected to be 76.5 million tons in West and Central Africa, which is a two per cent decrease from the previous season, but a three per cent rise from the average for the last five years.

Chad, Mali, Niger, and Nigeria are expected to contribute the most to this decline.

The Bretton Woods institution said, “Projections indicate a decline in production from last year in Chad, Mali, Niger, and Nigeria. This decrease is attributed to dry spells during the growing season and insecurity that limited access to cropland in Chad, Mali, and Niger and to poor macroeconomic conditions that have restricted access to agricultural inputs in Nigeria.”

While overall, most of the sub-region’s areas will remain in the minimally food insecure (category from November to May 2024, some areas are classified as stressed and some in crisis.

It added, “Over the same period (November to May 2024), Crisis (IPC Phase 3) conditions, mainly caused by persistent insecurity and armed conflict, and deteriorating livelihoods, are projected to affect the following regions:

“Nigeria: Local government areas in Borno, Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, Yobe, Zamfara states, and the far north of Adamawa state.”

The other places this will affect include places in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Mali, and Niger.

In its latest update, the World Bank noted that between August and November, many low- and middle-income countries were battling with high inflation.

It stated, “Information from the latest month between August and November 2023 for which food price inflation data are available shows high inflation in many low- and middle-income countries, with inflation higher than 5 per cent in 61.9 per cent of low-income countries (no change since the last update two weeks ago), 76.1 per cent of lower-middle-income countries (3.9-percentage-point decrease), 50.0 per cent of upper-middle-income countries (no change), and 57.4 per cent of high-income countries (2.6-percentage point decrease).”

It noted that the most-affected countries are in Africa, North America, Latin America, South Asia, Europe, and Central Asia. It further highlighted that in real terms, food price inflation has exceeded overall inflation 74 per cent in 167 countries.

In November, Nigeria’s headline inflation rose to 28.20 per cent while food inflation soared to 32.84 per cent.

(Punch)

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Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Na’Abba, is dead.

Born on September 27, 1958, the 8th Speaker of the House of Representatives died in Abuja on Wednesday morning.

According to family sources, late Na’Abba battled with ailment for a long time before passing away.

He was once flown abroad for medical treatment and stayed there for some months before he recovered and returned to Nigeria.

According to the sources, the remains of the former Speaker would be buried in Abuja today according to Islamic rites.

Late Na’Abba joined the Peoples Democratic Party, and became the party’s candidate for Kano Municipal Federal Constituency, a position he  won during the April 1999 general elections.

He subsequently emerged Speaker of the House of Representatives after the political crisis that led to exit of the first Speaker of the Fourth Republic,  Salisu Buhari.

He attended Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he studied political science and graduated in 1979.

(Punch)

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