In a touching celebration of World Wish Day, Eurovision sensation Sam Ryder teamed up with four critically ill children for a performance at Disneyland Paris that was nothing short of magical. The event, held in front of the iconic Sleeping Beauty Castle, showcased the power of music to bring joy and unity, featuring a rendition of the uplifting song 'Viva La Musique'. The performance was a culmination of dreams come true for the young participants, who had the unique opportunity to rehearse with Ryder at the prestigious AIR Studios in London, a venue known for hosting music legends.
The children, each battling serious health challenges, shared the stage with Ryder, creating a moment of pure joy and inspiration. Among them were Jax Morris, a brave nine-year-old from North Ayrshire with a rare genetic blood disease, and Molly Townsend-Blazier, also nine, from Kent, who is fighting lymphoblastic leukaemia. They were joined by Habiba Konate Naim, 13, from Greater London, living with Williams Syndrome, and Eve Wilson, 16, from the south coast of England, undergoing treatment for a brain tumour. Their performance was a testament to their courage and the transformative power of music.
Ryder, deeply moved by the experience, described it as one of the most meaningful and heartwarming moments of his career. 'Singing with these amazing kids was honestly one of the most meaningful and heartwarming things I've ever done,' he shared. The Eurovision star praised the Make-A-Wish UK charity for its incredible work, calling it 'the best of humanity' for bringing together children and artists in such a positive and uplifting way.
The event not only highlighted the resilience and spirit of the children but also underscored the importance of charities like Make-A-Wish in creating moments of happiness and hope for those facing life's toughest challenges. As the notes of 'Viva La Musique' echoed through Disneyland Paris, it was clear that this performance would be cherished by all involved, serving as a reminder of the joy and unity that music can bring to people's lives, regardless of their circumstances.
The ongoing trial involving the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) and Arik Air has taken a dramatic turn as Muhammed Abbas Jega, a former Executive Director of Credits at AMCON, contradicted his earlier testimony regarding the performance of Arik Air's loan. Initially, Jega had stated that the loan was performing, but during cross-examination, he admitted that the loan had been non-performing since its inception, shedding light on the complexities of the case.
Jega's revelation came during the trial of former AMCON MD/CEO Ahmed Kuru and others, who are facing charges related to the alleged mismanagement of N76 billion and $31.5 million. The case, which has drawn significant attention, highlights the challenges faced by AMCON in managing non-performing loans acquired from Nigerian banks under the Eligible Bank Asset (EBA) programme.
Further complicating the matter, Jega disclosed that despite AMCON's injection of N85 billion to purchase Arik's debt from Union Bank and Bank PHB, and an additional N11 billion extended as working capital, Arik Air failed to meet its financial obligations. This admission raises questions about the due diligence processes at AMCON and the viability of the airline's financial restructuring efforts.
The trial also took an unexpected turn when Jega questioned the authenticity of the Loan Purchase Agreement presented in court, pointing out discrepancies in signatures and document structure. This development adds another layer of intrigue to the case, as it challenges the integrity of the documents underpinning the financial transactions between AMCON and Arik Air. The court's decision on these matters could have far-reaching implications for corporate governance and financial accountability in Nigeria's banking and aviation sectors.