Stakeholders from across the country including government agencies met for a one-day interactive session at the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Abuja.
Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Nkechi Ejele who declared the event open said, “with the carnival, themed, ‘The creative industry: Pivot to Economic Growth,’ there is urgent need to develop it to an extent that it will be self-sustaining like other carnivals held successfully in the world.”
Ejele said that the event was renamed ‘Nigeria National Carnival’ from ‘Abuja Carnival’ to attract more patronage and indicate national ownership.
Artistic Director of the carnival, Mr. Abiodun Abe, admitting to the stakeholders that last year’s event suffered a low turnout, advocated their collaborative support as the carnival team presented, “what we have modestly put together to make this year’s carnival a success.”
Abe informed that for the first time, the geo-political zones have coordinators to ensure better participation from states in their regions. He corrected the impression that activities for the Carnival are only just beginning.
“We’ve been contacting states and the responses have been impressive. Also, don’t forget that this is election year and everybody has been waiting for things to stabilize,” he said.
Director, Multilateral and the Head of Abuja Carnival Secretariat, Ms. Grace Gekpe expressed delight over the rebranding of the Carnival because the former name did not allow Nigerians to see it holistically as Nigerian.
“We are expecting that many will key into the Carnival this year and there will be more patronage from all over the world,” she said.
She was optimistic that with the meeting, the stakeholders will be fully involved. This year there will be innovations like the Carnival Queen who will serve as an ambassador for the carnival to promote it.
On complaint of Abuja residents about not being aware of the event, and what alternative means of publicising the street party the Commission has put in place, Abe said there will be pre-carnival activities to sensitize people about it. The activities will include gorilla performances and hoisting of helium balloons among others.
A stakeholder from the Edo State arts and culture bureau, Mosis said: “It is high time that people begin to have a more positive perception of the Carnival. As Abuja Carnival, people related with it as an Abuja affair. But now that it is Nigeria National Carnival the concept will change.”
He added that: “With the theme, if we have technology from the West and don’t develop our own creative ingenuity then we are not growing, we’re only building on what others have started. A lot of our crafts are wasting away and yearning for economic value. I’m optimistic that with the rebranding the Carnival will be bigger and better.”
