CARNIRIV 2009 beckons

COME December, Port Harcourt will be agog for this year’s River Carnival (CARNIRIV). First held last year, it is the convergence and display of the state’s cultural heritage amidst fun, colour and grandeur. The weeklong event is expected to drive foot-traffic to Port Harcourt and its neighbouring cities with an unprecedented attendance of people. The key objectives of the festival are to instill the aura and spirit of brotherliness in the people of Rivers State, to put the state on the positive light and to create a yearly platform that connects brands to its target audience in Rivers State and other Niger Delta areas. Highlight include African Cultural Exhibitions (ACE); Walk for Life; The Great Carnival, Gala Nite, an International Film Festival, Miss ECOWAS Beauty Pageant and CARNIRIV Musical concert etc. According to the Commissioner of Culture and Tourism for Rivers State, Marcus Nle Ejii, “ last year’s event was designed to re-awaken the people’s cultural pride and values,” adding, “it was geared to unveil a people with the most beautiful culture in Nigeria and to the rest of the world. However, this year’s event is packaged to place Rivers State in a positive light among comity of nations and to make it a destination that attracts business, people and tourists globally.”