Culture ministry, Yankee Entertainment to host 2024 Abuja International Carnival

The Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy has partnered with Yankee Entertainment to unveil the 2024 edition of Abuja International Carnival in November.

The Minister, Hannatu Musawa, in a statement on Thursday said both parties met to finalise collaboration details and discuss plans for the carnival, on Thursday in Abuja.

Musawa said that the Abuja International Carnival was top on the ministry’s list of events.

She expressed optimism for the project, noting its alignment with the ministry’s goals of promoting cultural diversity and supporting the creative economy.

“The Abuja International Carnival aims to boost cultural tourism and enhance Nigeria’s international profile.

“The carnival will also foster national unity, boost international culture promotion and create economic opportunities for local artistes and entrepreneurs.

“It is one of the events we really need to showcase to put the country in the forefront of cultural promotion.

“We knew that we needed to create something sustainable which would be able to attract not only investments but tourism into our country.

“The former administration had started the Abuja Carnival. Today, we want to continue with it and also make sure that it is given long-term attraction and sustainability.

“So, I am happy to see how we can work out the modalities of putting this together to finalise collaboration details and discuss plans for the carnival,” she said.

The Managing Director of Yankee Entertainment, Kehinde Adegbite, presented the vision and objectives of the carnival, highlighting its potential to showcase Nigerian culture and creativity to a global audience.

Adegbite said that his organisation had done previous carnivals including the Ochacho Carnival, Ibeju Lekki Carnival, and Ojodu Carnival among others.

He assured that the Abuja International Carnival would be the biggest ever.

“Abuja carnival will be an international carnival because we intend to bring different people from all over the world including those who are culture and arts-driven.

“We want to make it bigger than the Calabar Carnival and we assure you that we will shake the world,” he said.

Also, Director Entertainment and Creative Economy, Mrs Ugochi Akudo-Nwosu, thanked the minister for her enthusiasm and willingness to develop the sector.

“We appreciate your support and passion for the sector. The last Abuja Carnival was in 2016 and funding was an issue.

“We are good to roll now in 2024 because time is of the essence as we have been absent for a very long time.

“We want to showcase big artistes and this is the platform that will showcase the culture and creative content of our people as well as what the ministry is doing in the art, culture, and the creative economy.”

The carnival will feature a range of activities, including street shows, musical concerts, boat regatta, Durbar, children’s fiesta and exhibitions.

The Abuja International Carnival is a significant event in the Nigerian cultural calendar, and the culture ministry and Yankee Entertainment are committed to making it a success.