The government of Ebonyi State has denied reports that guest artistes at the home-coming of Ebonyi Stars on August 28 were locked out of their hotel rooms.
Reports were rife that the artistes, TerryG Grace Amah and Denrele, were evicted from their hotel rooms.
Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mrs. Euphemila Nwali, at a news conference in Abakaliki yesterday, said: “The artistes did not at any time, speak with any state official on any matter regarding their accommodation throughout their stay.”
“Nothing could be farther from the truth. The artistes and their crew were received on August 27, with pomp and pageantry. They were thereafter taken to the hotels, where they stayed till August 31 before they departed yesterday.
“The artistes themselves never spoke to any state official on any matter regarding their accommodation throughout their stay.
“It is expected that an event, in the magnitude of the homecoming, would attract many comments.
But the truth is that Ebonyi had demonstrated its resolve to partner its sons and daughters in the entertainment industry to develop the sector.
“We appreciate the guest artistes and our stars, and we will continue to promote the tourism and entertainment industry to open the sector for upcoming ones and to create jobs.”
Ama, who won the Culture and Tourism Ambassador Award, said: “I heard the news and I was shocked. To start with, I was not in the same hotel with the artistes mentioned, and also, nothing of such happened.
“There is no truth in whatever was published. I spoke with some of the artistes and they were excited being here and would like to stay longer.”
