10th Abuja National Carnival Kicks Off

 

President Goodluck Jonathan has said that the Abuja National Carnival is not limited to the presentations of Nigeria’s diverse and unique cultural wealth but its ability to stimulate the consciousness of the people to the inherent socio-economic benefit of a multi-ethnic nation like Nigeria.

President Jonathan, who was represented today at this year’s 10^th Edition of the Abuja national carnival at the Eagle Square, Abuja, by the Vice President, Arc Mohammed Namadi Sambo, noted that “if properly harnessed, the sector would provide economic development option with high capacity for economic empowerment, employment generation, poverty reduction and wealth creation.”

He said it was not mistaken to consciously mainstream the culture sector into the Economic Transformation Agenda of the Government since what the sector is doing collaborates with objectives of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) creative economy.

The President said the “desire of government was predicated on making the carnival/creative sector a private sector-driven venture while the role of government shall be directed at the provision of favourable investment climate and incentives to attract the requisite local and foreign investment in the sector.”

He expressed appreciation for holding the fiesta inspite of the national challenges, stressing that “the legacies of Abuja National Carnival would continue to linger on showcasing our unity in diversity and had also made invaluable contributions to national cohesion, inter-cultural understanding and display of our inexhaustible creative potentials as a people”, as aptly captured by the theme of the 2014 Edition “Building an Enduring Creative Nation”.

While commending the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation and Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Jonathan also recognized the invaluable contribution of the international community to the growth of Abuja National Carnival for their increased participation in the fiesta overtime.

In his opening remark, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke, said “we dance today but not out of celebration because of the ugly incidence of insurgency that has claimed the lives of innocent Nigerians.” He commended Mr. President for his commitment to the promotion of the sector.

He recalled that the Tourism and Culture sector has significantly contributed to placing the country as the leading economy in Africa, especially in the recently rebased world economic report on Nigeria. Duke also noted that the music industry, Nollywood and fashion have broken global boundaries and had become the toast of the entertainment and creative industry.

In her welcome remark, the FCT Minister of State, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, expressed her appreciation for holding the event and assured all participants and stakeholders of good welfare and security in the Federal Capital Territory.  She also commended President Goodluck Jonathan for his commitment to the promotion of Culture and Tourism in the country.