The Rivers State Tourism
Development Agency RSTDA has in a smart move utilized this year’s London
Nottinghill Carnival to serve the world a foretaste of what to experience at
this year’s Port Harcourt Carnival popularly referred to as CARNIRIV. The Rivers State Contingent which was first
hosted to a cultural reception at the prestigious African Centre in London by
Zmirage United Kingdom put the best of Rivers Culture on display with a
spectacular float and rich cultural display that held revellers at the carnival
spell bound.
Executive Director, Zmirage UK, Shabaka
Thompson said,” it is a privileged position for Rivers State to be part of the
Nottinghill Carnival again this year thereby becoming a prominent Nigerian
State to make a distinctive cultural intrusion onto the world stage with the
Nottinghill Carnival to showcase an authentic African cultural brand called CARNIRIV.”
Speaking further on the initiative, Shaba a one time CEO of Nottinghill
Carnival said, not only is the move by Rivers State timely, it is also
strategic because Carniriv is bringing something unique to the world and also
something authentically African and creative.
“ I am an adopted Port Harcourt
boy. I am only waiting for my citizenship. I was invited to Carniriv in the
year 2010. When I got back, I told my family, I have found where my ancestors
came from. It is one place you should be,” Shabaka admonished guests at the
occasion.
Re-echoing Shaba, Rivers State
Commissioner for Tourism and Culture, Nabs Imeagwu explained the decision of
the Rivers State Tourism Ministry and the Rivers State Tourism Development
Agency to use the Nottinghill Carnival as a platform to market the rich culture
of Rivers State people to the world saying, “the essence of what we are here to
do is to hedge deeper into the platform that has already been established by
the Caribbeans to exemplify what other African States ought to be doing to
change the narratives about Africa and African culture emphasising the
conviviality of our people and our values.”
Imeagwu also revealed that the
Rivers State government has decided to tie this year’s edition of Carniriv to
the wrap up celebration of the centenary anniversary of the city of Port
Harcourt, saying, “I have been specifically asked by our governor, His
Excellency, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi to invite you to be part of this
epoch making event. Please be assured that should you decide and plan to
attend, the Rivers State government will throw down the red carpet to receive
you to experience Destination Rivers in a spectacular way.”
Shabaka also disclosed to the
audience at the reception that, Carniriv publicity campaign materials are today
on the London Buses plying the streets of London saying, “ last year, we had a
large contingent of tourists who visited Rivers State to attend Carniriv and
this year, we hope to increase the number considering the wider impact of the publicity
campaign being driven in both the traditional media and the social media from
here and Nigeria respectively.
He further disclosed that, Rivers
State was the first Nigerian State to introduce the Afrobeat genre of music to
the Nottinghill Carnival musical tradition as opposed to the calypso type of
music the carnival had always run on. This is a significant achievement
considering the warm embrace Afrobeat has received as result of this effort
therefore drawing more attention to the music’s country of origin and the
personality of the late Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo.
In her goodwill message at the
event, Sally Sturgeon, Director of the People’s World Carnival, Carniriv’s
partner troupe at the Nottinghill Carnival said, “we are happy to be partnering
with Carniriv bringing a carnival of the people of Rivers State on the world
stage. This for us is a fulfilment of our vision. We are indeed a people’s
world carnival group and we are delighted at every opportunity to showcase
cultural diversity to the world.”
The Rivers State Contingent had
prominent citizens of Rivers State adorning the different costumes which
attracted the attention and following of a mammoth crowd of Nigerians in
Diaspora, Jamaicans, Brazilians and people of other nationalities.
The contingent included veteran
Nollywood Actor and Director General of Rivers State Tourism Development
Agency, Dr. Sam Dede, Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Nnabuihe Nabbs
Imegwu, Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mr. Gogo Levi Charles,
Special Adviser to Governor on Culture and Tourism, Mr. Iboroma Harry, Chairman
Okrika Local Government, Barrister Tamuno Williams, Chairman, Rivers State
Tourism Development Agency, Deacon Vincent Erinwa and Members of the Board of
Directors Rivers State Tourism Development Agency such as Chief John Yowika,
Mr. Charles Awortu, Mr. Joeseph O. Ewuse amongst other prominent citizens of
Rivers State.
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