The Minster for Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke, has said that the Federal Government will use the success of Abuja Carnival 2012 as one of the parameters to measure the performance index of the Ministry, and urged members of the Central Planning Committee to make sure that the Carnival becomes a benchmark for carnivals around West African countries.

Chief Duke, who stated this, while inaugurating the Central Planning Committee of the Abuja Carnival 2012, told members that though carnivals are expressions of culture, efforts must be made to make Abuja Carnival a huge source of income generation and creativity to Nigeria.

According to him, the members of the CPC for Abuja Carnival 2012 are:

·    Honourable Minister for Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke (Chairman)
·    Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs. Anasthasia Daniel Nwaobia (Alternate Chairman)
·    Director of Culture in the Ministry, Mr. George Ufot (Deputy Chairman)
·    All Heads of Parastatals in the Ministry (or their Representatives)
·    Director of Tourism in the Ministry
·    Representative of Federal Capital Territory
·    Representative of Ministry of Foreign Affairs
·    Representative of Ministry of Youth Development
·    Representative of Ministry of Women Affairs
·    Deputy Director (Bilateral) Culture
·    Mr. Billy Harry
·    All Sub-committee Chairmen, which include Ghandi Baai (MTV), Mr. Sunny Mbila, Engr. Joe Nnebedum, Cornel Agim, Sam Agbi, Deputy Director (Multilateral) Culture, Mrs. Chika Balogun (SA Special Duties to the Minister of Culture), and Dr. Paul Adalikwu (SA to the Minister of Culture)
·    Prof. Bakare Ojo Rasaki, the Artistic Director
·    Mr. Arnold Udoka, Assistant Artistic Director
·    Zonal Coordinators: Professor Ayo Akinwale (South-West), Mr. Sam Dede (South-South), Professor ABC Duruaku (South-East), Hajia Lantana Ahmed (North-Central), and Dr. Umar Buratai (North-West), North-East zonal coordinator is yet to be agreed upon.

The Minister, who reiterated on the mandate of the Ministry as organizing a carnival that will be more successful than the previous ones, said: “Let me use this opportunity to thank the committee members of Abuja Carnival 2011. It was successful. This time around, Abuja Carnival 2012, we are broadening the participation of members and the values such members would add to the event. Our perception in the Ministry is that carnival serves as cultural expression but we want it to generate huge income to the country. We want it to serve as a means of creativity. As a result of this, we will have a-one day stakeholder’s dialogue on the importance of carnival, not just for culture, but for income drive. The time has come to move Abuja Carnival to the next level.”

Adding that this was to transform the carnival as a platform to unify Nigerians, he said that was why many people were sent to go and study other carnivals in other places; and that “those who will serve in this Committee should see it an opportunity to contribute to the growth of Nigerian culture, creativity and economy.”

Nwagbo Nnenyelike
Corporate Affairs