Abuja carnival 2010: Enthusiasts not so enthusiastic

Events to feature include children fiesta billed for the Millennium Park tomorrow, as well as Durbar, at the Equestrian Club ground, Asokoro; traditional food fair and cultural night both taking place at the old parade around all on same date. There will also be display of masquerades from Area 11 to the Eagle Square; a […]

Events to feature include children fiesta billed for the Millennium Park tomorrow, as well as Durbar, at the Equestrian Club ground, Asokoro; traditional food fair and cultural night both taking place at the old parade around all on same date.

There will also be display of masquerades from Area 11 to the Eagle Square; a Boat Regatta at the Jabi Dam and command performances at the Sheraton Hotel from 7am till 7pm on Monday.

A second street carnival from KIA Motors, Area 11 to the Eagle Square where the closing ceremony will take place will bring the festival to an end on Tuesday.

Abuja residents and prospective have expressed mixed feelings. One of them is Eleojoh Adejoh an Area 1 resident.  He said “honestly, I cannot say that I am particularly excited about the carnival this time around. Each year, a part from the different colours of the costumes and maybe some of the styles, I don’t see any new innovations in the carnival itself. It is what I can describe as predictable. One would expect that with each year, just as the themes are different the components and presentation of the carnival will also change at least to attract us to look forward to something new and exciting.”

An annual visitor Felix Kundum  from Jos who has been in town since the week before, he has not been able to ascertain if the carnival is worth the hassle at all and if it didn’t hold, if it would be missed. “The excitement for me is to see the states conform to the theme and a properly organised carnival. But so far, that has not been the case in my opinion. We have read in the dailies that it will be phenomenal with non-stop entertainment; so I am optimistic that it will turn out so.”

In response to the concerns raised, the Artistic Director of the Carnival, Professor Ojo Bakare said “the nature of carnival as a brand is different. You don’t change the content from year to year. Carnival is a street party. The carnival has its own nature, whether 100 years of independence or not, carnival is the same,” he declared. What changes, he explained, is the theme. “It is the theme that reflects what is happening currently in the country.”

The jubilee carnival will therefore reflect the ‘Celebrate Nigeria at 50’ mood in the floats, costumes, designs and performances. “When the theme changes, the motive change. You always see durbar, but it will not be the same durbar costume. It will not be the same way you dress your horse; the way you dress them now will reflect the theme of this year’s edition.”

This notwithstanding, Bakare said “we have added some tonic to the children’s fiesta which will be competitive for the first time. We’re not just going to pick kids from Abuja schools like before. Now, the states are coming, not just with adults – they are coming with their children as well.” This is a departure from what was the norm where only selected children from certain Abuja schools were doctored for performances which they replayed as if they originally belonged to the different states. “The carnival has been window dressing in that regard,” Bakare admitted. “Now, it is all going to change, and children can compete for prizes, just like the adults from their states.” He further explained that there was no point in the states spending resources on the children if their event was not competitive. “We can as well go ahead with going to fifteen secondary schools in Abuja, take their children, package dances for them, and make noise and go. But because we want to give the thing a deeper meaning, let the children have the pleasure.”

It is hoped that Abuja Carnival 2010 will take into consideration the issues raised by those it is meant to entertain and satisfy and do well to deliver on its promises.