Rivers people, their CARNIRIV

Carnivals around the world are assuming global brand status while carnival owners and promoters are doing everything to position their kind of carnivals in that light.

In Nigeria, Rivers State has the credit of organising the first carnival in 1998. But the carnival was rested for a period of time until the administration of Governor Rotimi Amaechi revived it in 2008. Known as ‘The Port Harcourt Carnival’ or popularly called ‘CARNIRIV,’ the state government also initiated a five-year development plan that has strengthened the sustainability of CARNIRIV as well as its positioning as ‘‘a reckon-able and recognisable global brand.’’

Thus, the planning of the 2013 edition of the carnival that held from Sunday, December 15 to Saturday, December 21, had all the trappings of a tourism event that had universal appeal in terms of content, delivery and participation. The Rivers State Tourism Development Agency (RSTDA), which has the mandate to organise CARNIRIV, ensured that the carnival lived up to its international acclaim with performances by notable international acts including the Grammy Awards winner, Steel Pulse from the United Kingdom. A contingent from Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) also brought style and elegance from the Caribbean, while from within Nigeria a 70-man durbar team came all the way from Suleja, Niger State, to add colour to the Garden City fiesta.

Unlike the past editions, the stake was raised higher on Friday, December 20, when the durbar team took the city by storm during the International Heritage Parade. Residents of the state and tourists alike, for the first time, witnessed the popular durbar perform live on the streets of Port Harcourt. Elegantly dressed men in traditional colourful native babariga and turban, who mounted beautifully decorated horses, were a cynosure of all eyes. The long flute and amazing dance steps of the beautiful beasts were unforgettable delight to fun seekers.

The stunning presence of the ladies from Trinidad and Tobago and their traditional steel pans mixed with their steel orchestra, during the Garden City Freestyle Parade on Saturday, December 21, in fact threw the revellers into frenzy. Widely acknowledged as a reference point in tourism and carnival, members of the T&T contingent were outstanding in their costume, dance steps and style, offering excited locals and other attendees several opportunities of snap shots on mobile devices such as telephone sets, iPad and digital cameras.

Governor Amaechi, who was the chief celebrant during the freestyle parade, was also resplendent in his costume, as were other dignitaries.

Reggae enthusiasts were also not left behind as reggae flavour was red hot for them on Friday, December 20, when the Jamaican-born Pulse and several other notable international and local reggae artistes delighted lovers of Rastafarians. It was a joyful mood for the Garden City carnival lovers when reggae beat invaded the air during Reggae 360, one of the attractions at the just-ended carnival.

Sam Dede, director-general, RSTDA, said the presence of participants from outside the state underscored the wider appeal of CARNIRIV and the fact that it was the people’s carnival that was not restricted to a particular geographical, ethnic or political bias. ‘‘This positive development around our own brand of carnival underscores the commitment of the Rivers State government to reinforce CARNIRIV as the people’s carnival. We are delighted by this kind of endorsement of CARNIRIV; this again reinforces our commitment to make CARNIRIV a carnival brand of reckon and a recognisable global brand,’’ he said.

The carnival has proved beyond any shadow of doubt that it is a property well accepted to the people in terms of ownership, participation and involvement, despite the political situation in the state, the RSTDA boss said further, reiterating that ‘‘CARNIRIV is a unifier. It does not discriminate based on religious or political beliefs. It is the carnival of the Rivers people, irrespective of political or religious leanings.’’

Dubbed the ‘Green World Edition,’ the theme for CARNIRIV 2013 was, ‘Our Environment, Bedrock for Sustainable Development,’ was kick-started with a show of skills, colour and style by children who filed out for their own edition of the carnival titled ‘Kids’ Carnival.’ Spectacular in their displays, the children used the occasion to advocate green world and responsible behaviour towards the environment.

Speaking on behalf of their colleagues, Elizabeth Ucheawaji and Chigozie Obikwere, pupils of Government Secondary School, Elekahia, noted that environmental sustainability was a crucial factor to engender sustainable national growth.

The first day of the carnival was rounded off with a Praise Jam later in the night, a session that was devoted to soul-lifting praise and worship songs in appreciation of God’s goodness, mercy and blessing over the years. Attended by clerics, state government officials, gospel singers and hundreds of residents, the praise night featured gospel artistes such as Atonye Douglas, Omali and Friends, Gifted Kids, Shedi-B, Joy Loveday, Minister Sam, Gemina, and a host of others. A Port Harcourt-based cleric, Paul Williams, who co-ordinated the session, said “God has done so much for the people of this state and we believe that as we give praise to God tonight, miracles will begin to happen in our lives, in our government in River State and in our country as a people.’’

Declaring the carnival formally open, the governor said among other things that CARNIRIV offered immense opportunities for small and medium enterprises to thrive, economic empowerment of the people of the state as well as being a platform for social interaction. Represented by Nnabs Imegwu, commissioner for culture and tourism, the governor expressed delight at the rising profile of CARNIRIV, which he said had become an iconic brand with wider appeal across geography and strata of society.

The side attractions for the opening ceremonies included the Dance of Fireflies and the presentation of flags to the Amanayabo (king of the carnival) by representatives of the 23 local governments and the 10 Bands to symbolise their participation in this year’s carnival. A round of spectacular fireworks was also unleashed to commemorate the official flag-off of CARNIRIV 2013.

Earlier before the formal opening ceremonies, there was also a visit to the CARNIRIV Monument called ‘Pilgrimage 88.’ The kit and kin from far and near also came to dance during Ekere: Rhythm of the Tribes while a Cultural Arts Exhibition also held during which indigenous art and creative works of the people were on display. It was a moment to savour as tourists and lovers of art used the opportunity to increase their collections of exquisite artefacts.

The local wrestling called Egelege: Champions of the Sand Arena was another memorable event that offered participants lots of fun and entertainment. People yelled as they watched contestants display Africa’s typical raw strength and talent.

Day four featured the headline International Aquatic Fiesta at the popular Tourist Beach. It was also a huge event and a very interesting scenery one could not afford to miss. As early as 6am, contingents from each of the 23 local governments had arrived at the beach, worked on their local canoes – some of them in amazing innovative designs of shark, antelope and several designs. The canoes were also beautifully costumed as were the contingents. Aside the main floats, there were accompanying equally beautiful ceremonial gigs. The rhythms of the padding, the colours on the boats, the excitement culminated by the fun-filled ambience were so pleasing that they would remain fresh in the minds of many. Arrayed in their best elements, each of the local governments competed for the top prizes, doing their best to impress the judges whose engaging eyes did not miss out any details. The boat regatta went on for hours of splendid water skill and free-style parade. In the end, Okrika Local Government came first while Bonny and Ogu/Bolo local governments came second and third, respectively.

The International Heritage Parade, the colourful cultural street party by the 23 local governments, was another breath-taking event that delighted participants at the carnival. At this event, local government areas flaunted their distinct colourful floats and costumes portraying their occupational and cultural heritage and economic resources. The choice of colours and floats also reflected the carnival theme with the use of many eco-tourism materials such as leaves, trees, land and sea animals, colours and image of the ecology.

Setting out about 10am from the Rivers State School of Art and Science, Rumuola, the long convoy of floats, with either live bands or disc jockeys (DJs) moved through major streets and ended their journey at Station Bus Stop, Old Port Harcourt. At this point, each took time to perform before the crowd of spectators and dignitaries including the governor, who had been seated at 2:10pm. To demonstrate how much he enjoyed the various displays and performances, the governor captured several scenes with his mobile device. The results computed by judges, who assessed the contingents at designated adjudication points, later indicated that Okrika contingent came first; Ogu/Bolo was second while Bonny came third.

The week-long series of exciting and highly engaging activities at CARNIRIV ended in grand style on Saturday, December 21, when the governor led scores of very important personalities and hundreds of participants on the glamorous Garden City Freestyle Parade.

Amaechi, who adorned very colourful costumes, was accompanied by other dignitaries, also in their exquisite carnival dresses. They all marched through major streets of Port Harcourt in long and colourful floats amid drumming, dancing and cheers. Amaechi arrived for the procession at about 11:35am. As the leader of the Treasure Band, he had with him the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), George Feyii, the Face of CARNIRIV, Miss Ezim Odili and Dede, among others. The parade, an artistic blend of contemporary modern cultural procession in which the governor was also the chief celebrant, took off from Abonema Wharf Road through Ikwerre, Olu Obasanjo and Aba Roads terminating finally at the Carnival Village (Liberation Stadium).

Characteristic of the free style parade, 10 bands which included Treasure, Jubilee, Dynamic, Fusion, Liberation, Black Gold and Centenary raised the stake for the ultimate prize. Other floats that added glamour to the event were those of the Rivers State House of Assembly and the troupe from Trinidad and Tobago. Excited residents and tourists, also in different kinds of colourful costumes were in their best form while other residents lined the streets to catch fun, taking shots either with their mobile telephone devices or cameras.

Amaechi expressed joy and satisfaction with the large turn-out of participants within and outside the state, noting that CARNIRIV has brought tremendous socio-economic benefits to the state, people and the nation at large through the promotion of small and medium enterprises as a result of the commercial activities associated with the carnival. “No matter how busy one is, one should take time out for fun. It also gives one the opportunity to feel the pulse of the people and it is another way to promote healthy lifestyle,” he said.

The presence of many celebrities, Nigerian and international artistes such as P Square, Davido, Terry G, Burna Boy, Wande Cole, Sound Sultan, Muma Gee, and Steel Pulse, among others, reinforced the positioning of CARNIRIV as a carnival brand of reckon.