Low Turnout at Abuja International Carnival
Abuja International Carnival opened on Saturday with low turnout of participants with 19 of the 36 States of the federation absent at the opening ceremony, while only five of the 15 countries that indicated interest were present.
The foreign countries represented in the carnival which will end on Tuesday are China, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Trinidad and Tobago and Egypt.
Minister for Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke in his address said that national unity and cohesion are winners at this year’s Abuja International Carnival, adding that culture has in the country’s 100 years continued to grow from strength to strength.
He identified culture as one of the enduring elements of nation-building and national cohesion, which continue to “strengthen intra and inter-communal relations, help to build bridges, forge sustainable partnerships and provide the foundation for our distinct identity as a people with a proud heritage and a future that is laden with hope and confidence.”
He said the carnival provides a platform for the projection of Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage.
“It is always a delight to see our people from various states of the federation resplendent in their carnival costumes display Nigeria’s diverse cultural forms in a kaleidoscope of colours. The beauty of these cultural forms is firmly rooted in their diversity which has been the source of our strength as a nation in the past 100 years,” he said.
He stressed that beyond the celebrations and display of cultural forms, carnivals have become mega businesses around the world describing it as the catalyst and backbone of a multifaceted economy.
In order to grow the carnival, he said that Federal Government was building partnerships with countries where carnivals have truly become a big enterprise.
“The Federal Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation remains committed to the development of the creative sector. We are paying particular attention to this area as we believe that it has a great role to play in the organization of carnivals and other cultural events. To this end, the new Cultural Policy of Nigeria has designated Carnivals as an important cultural and economic activity and has made adequate provision for its enhancement. The Federal Government also partners with States where Carnivals are gaining grounds as an important cultural and economic activity. This is with a view to developing carnivals across the country and turn them into unique brands and enterprise,” he said.
Trinidad and Tobago’s Minster of the Arts and Multiculturalism, Dr. Lincoln Douglas, said his country awarded scholarships to 10 qualified Nigerians wishing to study carnival art and management at two of the country’s universities.
He said details of the scholarship to be offered at the University of Trinidad and Tobago and University of West Indies would soon be worked out.
The foreign countries represented in the carnival which will end on Tuesday are China, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Trinidad and Tobago and Egypt.
Minister for Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke in his address said that national unity and cohesion are winners at this year’s Abuja International Carnival, adding that culture has in the country’s 100 years continued to grow from strength to strength.
He identified culture as one of the enduring elements of nation-building and national cohesion, which continue to “strengthen intra and inter-communal relations, help to build bridges, forge sustainable partnerships and provide the foundation for our distinct identity as a people with a proud heritage and a future that is laden with hope and confidence.”
He said the carnival provides a platform for the projection of Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage.
“It is always a delight to see our people from various states of the federation resplendent in their carnival costumes display Nigeria’s diverse cultural forms in a kaleidoscope of colours. The beauty of these cultural forms is firmly rooted in their diversity which has been the source of our strength as a nation in the past 100 years,” he said.
He stressed that beyond the celebrations and display of cultural forms, carnivals have become mega businesses around the world describing it as the catalyst and backbone of a multifaceted economy.
In order to grow the carnival, he said that Federal Government was building partnerships with countries where carnivals have truly become a big enterprise.
“The Federal Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation remains committed to the development of the creative sector. We are paying particular attention to this area as we believe that it has a great role to play in the organization of carnivals and other cultural events. To this end, the new Cultural Policy of Nigeria has designated Carnivals as an important cultural and economic activity and has made adequate provision for its enhancement. The Federal Government also partners with States where Carnivals are gaining grounds as an important cultural and economic activity. This is with a view to developing carnivals across the country and turn them into unique brands and enterprise,” he said.
Trinidad and Tobago’s Minster of the Arts and Multiculturalism, Dr. Lincoln Douglas, said his country awarded scholarships to 10 qualified Nigerians wishing to study carnival art and management at two of the country’s universities.
He said details of the scholarship to be offered at the University of Trinidad and Tobago and University of West Indies would soon be worked out.
Low Turnout at Abuja International Carnival
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Reviewed by Msl
on
21:49
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