Month: August 2026

Xceptional Place Hotel, a new hospitality destination, is set to open at Atiku Junction, Rayfield, Jos, Plateau State, with recruitment already underway ahead of its official unveiling.

The hotel is seeking qualified and experienced applicants for positions across security, kitchen, housekeeping, accounts, spa, food and beverage, front desk, engineering, pool and recreation, sales, human resources, and stores.

The recruitment offers opportunities for hospitality professionals and job seekers to join the new establishment. Interested applicants are required to submit their CVs via gm@xceptionalplace.com.

The hotel’s opening is expected to strengthen Jos’ hospitality industry and create additional employment opportunities.

Members of the creative industry in Jos, Plateau State, have mourned the death of renowned filmmaker Dimbo Atiya, describing him as an astute and resilient creative whose contributions to the growth of Nigeria’s film and entertainment industry will remain an important part of the cultural history of Plateau State.

The creative community, alongside representatives of cultural institutions, government agencies and the Nigerian film industry, paid a condolence visit to the family of the late filmmaker on Sunday at his residence in Rayfield, Jos.

The visit was coordinated by filmmaker Debrah Jalmet, JD Luka and Sibin Benjamin.

The delegation included Manji Diyal, who represented Aisha Augie, Director-General of the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC); Dr. Ephraim Dankyes, Senior Special Assistant on Arts, Culture and Creative Economy to Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang; and Brian Etuk, Director of Public Affairs at the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC), who represented the Managing Director, Dr. Ali Nuhu.

The visitors were received by Plangji Daniel Cishak and other members of the Dumbo family.

Speaking during the condolence visit, Diyal described Dimbo Atiya’s death as a major loss to Nigeria’s creative community.

He said the filmmaker’s passing came at a time when Nigeria’s cultural and film industries were looking towards a new generation of storytellers who could contribute to the development and preservation of the country’s cultural identity.

According to him, Atiya was more than an entertainer, describing him as a creative practitioner who understood the power of arts and storytelling in preserving identity, history and cultural expressions.

“Dimbo was a storyteller and a creative man who believed in the power of the arts to connect people and preserve our identity. His passing is painful because the industry has lost someone who still had much to contribute,” Diyal said.

He added that CBAAC identified with the family because Atiya’s work reflected the wider responsibility of promoting African creativity and cultural expression.

Representing the Plateau State Government, Dr. Ephraim Dankyes described the death of the filmmaker as a painful loss to Plateau’s growing creative community.

Dankyes noted that Plateau State has produced generations of artists, filmmakers, actors and other creative professionals whose contributions have helped place the state on Nigeria’s cultural map.

“Dimbo represented the creative spirit of Plateau. His death is not only a loss to his family but also to the arts and entertainment community. We must ensure that the work of people like him is remembered and that their contributions are not allowed to disappear,” he said.

He assured that the Plateau State Government would continue to support initiatives aimed at strengthening the creative economy and providing opportunities for young and established practitioners to develop and showcase their talents.

The Nigerian Film Corporation also joined other stakeholders in mourning the death of Dimbo Atiya.

Brian Etuk, who represented NFC Managing Director Dr. Ali Nuhu, described Atiya as a committed member of the Nigerian film community whose passion for storytelling was evident throughout his creative career.

Etuk said the filmmaker’s death was a loss not only to Plateau State but to the Nigerian film industry as a whole.

“Dimbo was part of a generation of filmmakers and creative practitioners who understood that Nigerian stories must be told by Nigerians. His work reflected that commitment, and his passing has left a vacuum,” Etuk said.

He stressed that one of the best ways to honour Atiya would be to continue supporting the creative vision and projects he left behind.

One of the unfinished projects generating significant conversation among Atiya’s colleagues is Cock Crow at Dawn, a film project he was developing before his death.

Members of the Jos creative community said the project was expected to further demonstrate Atiya’s ability to use film and storytelling to address issues relevant to Nigerian society.

Following his death, Cock Crow at Dawn has taken on a significance beyond its artistic value.

Colleagues say the project now represents part of Dimbo Atiya’s creative legacy, as well as a reminder of the stories and ideas he was still hoping to share with audiences.

Etuk stressed the importance of preserving projects left behind by deceased filmmakers and other creative practitioners.

He said such projects should not automatically disappear following the death of their creators, adding that efforts should be made to document their work and, where possible, support the completion of projects that genuinely reflect their creative vision.

However, colleagues noted that any decision regarding the completion or preservation of Cock Crow at Dawn should be undertaken with the consent and wishes of the family and relevant production stakeholders.

Responding on behalf of the family, Plangji Daniel Cishak thanked the delegation for visiting the family and recognising Dimbo Atiya’s contributions to the entertainment industry.

He said the family was deeply touched by the support received from Atiya’s colleagues, government representatives and cultural institutions.

“Dimbo loved what he did. He believed in his work and in the people around him. Knowing that his colleagues and institutions within the industry have come to identify with the family means a lot to us,” Cishak said.

He added that the family would welcome constructive efforts aimed at preserving Atiya’s creative legacy and ensuring that the projects and works he left behind continue to receive attention.

The condolence visit brought together individuals from different sections of the creative industry, reflecting the relationships and connections Dimbo Atiya built throughout his career.

From filmmakers and entertainers to cultural institutions and government representatives, the message from the gathering was consistent: Dimbo Atiya’s contributions to the creative industry should not end with his death.

For the Jos entertainment community, Atiya’s legacy extends beyond the films and creative projects he worked on.

His colleagues say his impact can also be measured through the people he inspired, the relationships he established and the stories he believed were worth telling.

As preparations for his final rites continue, members of the creative community hope that unfinished projects, particularly Cock Crow at Dawn, will receive the attention required to preserve the filmmaker’s creative vision.

Although Dimbo Atiya’s death has brought an end to his personal creative journey, colleagues and those he impacted believe that his stories, works and contributions will continue to keep his memory alive.

Afrobeats star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has declared that he will seek the attention of United States President Donald Trump if the forthcoming Osun State governorship election is marred by irregularities.

Speaking during a live session with comedian Carter Efe, the singer emphasized the need for a free, fair and credible election, insisting that he would not remain silent if the electoral process was undermined.

“I will involve Trump if anything goes wrong in the Osun election,” Davido said, adding that he would draw international attention to any alleged electoral malpractice.

The comments come ahead of the August 15 Osun State governorship election, where the incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke—who is also Davido’s uncle—is seeking a second term in office.

Davido has been actively campaigning for Governor Adeleke and has consistently called on relevant authorities to ensure that the election is conducted in a transparent, peaceful and credible manner.

Meanwhile, Governor Ademola Adeleke has instituted a ₦2 billion lawsuit against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the restriction placed on the state’s Federal Statutory Allocation Account.

The suit, filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja, challenges the legality of the Post-No-Debit directive reportedly issued by the EFCC to First Bank Nigeria Limited.

Also listed as plaintiffs in the suit are the Attorney-General of Osun State and the state’s Accountant-General.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has announced plans to begin fresh negotiations with the Federal and State Governments for an upward review of workers’ salaries, insisting that the current ₦70,000 minimum wage is no longer adequate.

Speaking at the Rights of Workers Summit in Birnin Kebbi, NLC President Joe Ajaero, represented by the union’s Deputy President, Audu Titus Amba, said the review had become necessary following the expiration of the current minimum wage framework in July.

Ajaero stressed that the ₦70,000 benchmark was only a minimum wage and not a living wage capable of meeting the realities of Nigeria’s rising cost of living. According to him, any minimum wage below ₦500,000 would be insufficient to cater to the basic needs of workers amid the country’s prevailing economic challenges.

He clarified that the NLC was not seeking confrontation with the government but was committed to protecting workers’ welfare and ensuring that salaries reflect current economic realities. He expressed optimism that the union’s demands would receive favourable consideration.

Also speaking at the summit, Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris stated that his administration was the first in the country to implement a ₦75,000 minimum wage. He assured workers in the state that his government would adopt any new minimum wage approved by the Federal Government without delay.

The governor further pledged to champion the issue at the Nigeria Governors’ Forum whenever discussions on a new wage arise, noting that civil servants remain critical to national development and deserve fair remuneration for their contributions.

Participants at the summit also commended Governor Idris for his achievements in education, agriculture, infrastructure development, and security, while acknowledging his efforts in promoting peace and stability across Kebbi State.

The maiden edition of the Jos Women in Coffee Business Conference has ended in Jos, Plateau State, with participants calling for greater investment in the coffee value chain as a tool for women’s empowerment, job creation, and economic development.

Organized by Lingzhi Global Nigeria Limited, the conference brought together women entrepreneurs, coffee farmers, processors, marketers, and industry stakeholders to explore opportunities within the coffee industry while strengthening collaboration across the value chain.

Speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer and Visionary Leader of Lingzhi Global Nigeria Limited, the Apostle of Wealth Mrs. Blessing Nenman, said the conference was designed to create awareness of the immense opportunities available in the coffee industry, particularly for women.

She noted that coffee is a daily consumable product with enormous potential for job creation, community development, and skills acquisition, adding that women account for about 70 percent of the global workforce in the coffee industry but remain largely unaware of their contributions and opportunities.

According to her, Plateau State women need to understand the entire coffee value chain from seed cultivation and harvesting to processing, roasting, marketing, and leadership. She stressed the importance of connecting farmers, processors, off-takers, and marketers to ensure coffee production becomes a sustainable source of income rather than a challenge for producers.

Also speaking, Toyin Wiggins, Project Leader of the Tony Wiggins Centre for Leadership and Mentoring Initiative, described the conference as an eye-opening platform that promotes women’s financial independence through coffee entrepreneurship. Expressing interest in venturing into coffee farming, he praised Mrs. Nenman for her expertise and commitment to developing Nigeria’s coffee industry.

A participant, Regina Pam, commended Lingzhi Global for equipping women with knowledge, leadership skills, and economic opportunities. She described the organization as a platform that has positively impacted her life and encouraged more women to take advantage of its programmes to become financially independent and community leaders.

Sharing her personal experience, beneficiary Helen Gontur Malo said joining Lingzhi Global transformed her life economically and socially. She recounted qualifying for an electric tricycle shortly after registering with the organization and said she has also benefited from business training and improved wellbeing through the company’s coffee products.

Malo urged women and young people to embrace opportunities in the coffee value chain, emphasizing that it has the potential to create jobs, improve livelihoods, and boost local economic development. She further appealed to the Plateau State Government to support coffee production initiatives, noting that Plateau produces some of the finest coffee in the world and has the capacity to become a leading coffee hub if properly harnessed.

A major highlight of the conference was the presentation of the Entrepreneur of the Year Award to Mrs. Blessing Nenman in recognition of her outstanding contributions to entrepreneurship, women’s empowerment, and the development of Nigeria’s coffee industry. The award was conferred by the Change Makers Impact Award and presented by its leader, Toyin Wiggins, who commended Nenman’s visionary leadership and dedication to transforming lives through innovation, mentorship, and economic empowerment.

The conference concluded with renewed calls for stronger collaboration among farmers, processors, marketers, investors, and government agencies to unlock the full potential of Plateau State’s coffee industry while empowering more women to participate in every stage of the value chain.