The Ebonyi State Government has denied reports that guest artistes that performed at the Homecoming of Ebonyi stars on August 28 were locked out from their hotel rooms.

Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mrs. Euphemila Nwali, at a news conference in Abakaliki on Tuesday, said “the artistes never at any time spoke with any state official on any matter regarding their accommodation throughout their stay in the state.”

There had been reports that the artistes, Terry G and Grace Ama, as well as On-Air-Personality, Denrele, were ejected from their rooms.

But Nwali, at the news conference attended also by Ms. Ama, said: “Nothing could be farther from the truth. The guest artistes, Terry G., Denrele Edun and their crew were received in Ebonyi on 27th August, 2015 with pomp and pageantry by youths and officials of the State Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

“They were thereafter taken to the hotels reserved for them, where they stayed till the 31st August, 2015 and departed on Tuesday, 1st September, 2015 from the same hotels where they were reported to have been evicted.

“The artistes themselves never spoke to any state official on any matter regarding their accommodation throughout their stay.

“It is not expected that an event in the magnitude of the Homecoming would attract many comments.

“But the truth is that Ebonyi State has demonstrated its resolve to partner with her sons and daughters in the entertainment industry for the development of the sector in the state.

“We appreciate all the guest artistes and our stars who honoured our invitation and we will continue to promote tourism and entertainment industry to open the sector for upcoming ones and create job opportunities.”

Ama, who won the state’s Culture and Tourism Ambassador Award, said: “I got to hear about the news and my name was mentioned. I was really shocked about it. To start with, I was not in the same hotel with the artistes mentioned and also nothing of such happened.”

She wondered why she could be linked to the allegation which was aimed at blackmailing the government of her state.

The popular actress added: “There is no truth in whatever was published. I spoke with some of the artistes who said they were excited being in the state and would like to stay longer.”

•Photo shows Terry G.

Update news