Tag Archives: Abuja Carnival

Abuja Carnival Providing Credible Platform For National Unity– Buhari

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President Muhammadu Buhari says that the Abuja Carnival has continued to provide a credible platform for national unity, peaceful co-existence and understanding of our ethnically and culturally diverse nation.

Buhari said this at the opening of the 2016 Abuja Carnival, with the theme; “The Creative Industry: A Pivot to Economic Growth” in Abuja on Saturday.

According to him, the present quest for authentic and homegrown approach to national security, peace and harmony, as well as the lessons of cultural carnival cannot be ignored.

“The 11th edition of the Abuja Carnival is not just another theme, but a declaration of one of the cardinal principles that we have consciously identified to bail out our nation from the grim of economic challenges that we face today.

“The robust contribution of the creative sector, particularly the performing musicians and Nollywood extraction to the Nation’s GDP are not only heart-warming but phenomenal.’’

Buhari said the sector was fast transforming the Nation into a cultural capital of the Sub-Saharan Africa.

“In this era of search for non-oil alternative, creativity no doubt is key and this government will accord it the priority it deserves.

“This is in line with the UNESCO dictum, since wars began in the heart of men, it is the hearts of men that the defences of peace would begin’’.

The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello said that the Abuja Carnival, a multi-cultural event, started 11 years ago with the aim of preserving and promoting the rich cultural heritage of Nigeria to the International community.

According to him, the Abuja Carnival has in the last decade emerged as a very viable and practical means of building bridges across borders, tribes, religion and enhancing friendship.

Bello said that this year’s team demonstrated government’s determination to use the creative ingenuity of Nigerians to boost the nation’s economy at this period of economic downturn.

Read More:

http://guardian.ng/news/abuja-carnival-providing-a-credible-platform-for-national-unity-buhari/

Abuja Carnival records poor turnout

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The Abuja Carnival which began on Saturday recorded poor turnout of FCT residents.

Some of the residents who spoke with the ?News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said the carnival should not be the priority of the Federal Government, and that measures should be taken to alleviate the sufferings of Nigerians.

NAN reports that this year’s carnival was devoid of the usual funfare that used to characterise the event.

NAN also observed that some designated streets of the FCT that were usually decorated for the carnival were left bare as they were not decorated.

Samuel Olawale, who was at a newspaper vendor’s stand while the street procession was going on, said that though there was a bit of awareness on the carnival, “but the citizens are hungry’’.

“I am aware of the carnival, flyers were distributed, but it is not masquerade dance that people want to hear.

“The president should know ?that people are hungry and are more interested in putting food on their table,’’ he said.

Afolabi Alade, a taxi driver around Area ?One, however disagreed with the respondent above, saying there was no public awareness.

“Other years when the carnival held, you would have seen the obvious signs on the road? that carnival is holding.

“This time around, we did not see the signs compared to other years where the Police would have barricaded the roads and vacate us from our parks,’’ Mr. Alade said.

According to him, the low awareness can be attributed to lack of interest from the Presidency to project the carnival.

Naeema Abduraman, a spectator also agreed that the turnout was low and not really eventful considering the insecurity in the country?.

“The carnival does not look eventful and people did not come out that much unlike the previous years.

“There is also insecurity in the country which will discourage people from participating.

“The most of it all is that the economic situation of the country is so bad and people will prefer to satisfy hunger before coming for carnival,’’ Mr. Abduraman said.

Blessing Ayiba-Dusa, the Head Research, Documentation and Publication?, Bayelsa State Council for Arts and Culture, also agreed that the turnout of participants was poor, compared to previous years.

Mrs. Ayiba-Dusa noted that celebrating the heritage and culture of the country was the common goal of the carnival.

“People didn’t really come out for the carnival and for sure it is due to the hardship in the country,” she said.

“Whatever the situation is, the most important thing is that we are here to celebrate the common heritage and culture of our country.

“Bayelsa State is not regretting participating in the carnival, because we are celebrating one Nigeria,’’ she said.

NAN reports that the carnival is expected to end on Dec. 6.

2016 Abuja Carnival begins December 3 – Grace Gekpe

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The 2016 Abuja Carnival will hold from December 3 to 6, the Federal Ministry of Culture and Tourism announced on Wednesday.

 

Grace Gekpe, Director, Entertainment and Creative Services in the ministry, said in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja that the annual event would commence with a street carnival from Eagles Square to Area 1.

 

She said that the event would also be followed by traditional circus and an opening ceremony on the first day, while Durbar, children fiesta and a cultural night would hold on December 4.

 

According to her, a masquerade fiesta, boat regatta and various exhibition of Nigeria’s artefacts are also expected to feature during the annual carnival.