Abuja Carnival: Lai Mohammed Visits FCT Minister, Solicits Support
Ahead of the Abuja Carnival 2019, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed on Tuesday, paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Alhaji Muhammad Bello, to solicit for support to achieve a successful event.
The courtesy visit was to intimate the ministers of the FCT and the management, on the plans on ground, and to solicit their support in respect of the coming Carnival Abuja.
In his remarks, Alh. Lai Mohammed who noted that the last editions of the Carnival were not held as he wanted to hold a carnival that will be befitting to the status of the FCT, expressed belief that the carnival this year will be a befitting festival.
According to him, “The carnival is a strong platform for unity of the country, because it is the only carnival where every state participates fully and make people see that even though they might be diverse, there is a lot that unites all of us.
“We come here to solicit your support because we want to have a successful 2019 Carnival that will be the talk of the town. The carnival will kick off from 23rd to 25th November and we have decided to decentralize the carnival by going to various Area Councils of the FCT, so that the entire FCT will feel the impact of the carnival”.
He revealed that this year’s Carnival has about seven events that will take place at seven different places in the FCT, adding that the purpose of going to the different areas is to let many people feel the effect of the Carnival, as it is about the people participating.
“We are here to beg for your assistance and support. We trust that you will rise up to the occasion and assist us, as it is a joint project between the ministry and our host.
“We humbly request that the FCT assists in providing accommodations for participants from various states, to provide venue and security for all and sundry, medical services and waste management control as there will be a lot of human waste. Also, we ask for assistance in the decoration of venues and streets as well as adequate traffic control for the street carnival especially,” he ended.
Responding, the FCT Minister applauded the Minister of Information and Culture for the revised version of the Abuja carnival, stating that they will support him on the event which will showcase the FCT and locations within the six Area Councils.
He further noted that apart from being a carnival made to showcase and cement Nigeria’s unity as a country, it will be beneficial to the economy, adding that various secretariats will work closely with the Information ministry.
He also urged the Minister to consider incorporating a fishing festival in the next carnival 2020 as the FCT has water bodies to handle that.
While noting that funding is a huge challenge, he said it will not prevent them from continuing with the events, adding that the activities will require private sector funding.
In her brief contribution, the Minister of State FCT, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, said the FCT will not shy away from her responsibility as host, despite paucity of funds,and assured that the carnival will be done beautifully and outstandingly.
“We will partner with you and have a list of other sister agencies and we will do it very well, she remarked.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Information and Culture in company of the Minister of State, FCT, took a tour to three proposed locations of the carnival which are; The Kuje stadium; Old Parade Ground, Area 10; and the Area 1 round about.
The Carnival with the theme, “Culture for Peace”, will start with a street Carnival and opening ceremony from the Old Parade ground to Area 1; Children fiesta at government secondary school Garki, Area 10; Durbar at Kuje Stadium; Boat Regatta at Jabi Dam; Masquerade Fiesta at the government Day Secondary School Gwagwalada; Traditional Cuisine fair and bush bar at Old parade ground; as well as Contemporary music fiesta.
(CATEWAA)
