‘Rivers Carnival, A Celebration Of Our Uniqueness, Culture’

AS the 2012 edition of Rivers Carnival (CARNIRIV) comes to a colourful and festive end on Saturday, the state Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, has declared the government’s commitment to the continual hosting and funding of the yearly carnival because it is a major platform that celebrates the uniqueness of the Rivers people and their rich cultural heritage.

This is as the organisers have reported an upsurge in the number of tourists and visitors from across the world, including Nigerians in the Diaspora who have come to Port Harcourt, the state capital since the carnival began on Sunday.

Amaechi disagreed with the view that carnivals are only the display of costumes and dances, stating that it is a celebration of the value of the people hence the state government has continued to promote it.

He stressed that CARNIRIV in particular is a symbolic event that exposes the distinctiveness of the people of the state, whom he described as a good people.

In a message at the ongoing week-long celebration, the governor said it felt good to be from Rivers State. “I salute you all, those who have climbed on the local government floats, and on very stage; and everyone who will climb into a costume and the costumier who made them. I salute every dancer and singer and every poet. You are our story – tellers and CARNIRIV is our story,” he said.

Also speaking at the ceremony, the Director-General, Rivers State Tourism Development Agency (RSTDA), Dr. Sam Dede, said the carnival lived up to its billing as available statistics has revealed significant inflow of visitors and increased socio-economic activities since it started.

He attributed this to the uniqueness of the carnival, saying the difference between CARNIRIV and other carnivals in the country is that the former showcases the peculiar indigenous culture of the Rivers People.