Regardless of the fact that it was a rainy day in Yenagoa, the cultural troupe of the Art Council were unperturbed. They came out in their full, exquisite and colourful regalia to welcome the Carnival Management Committee (CMC).

The women in white blouses and plain george wrappers, danced to the rhythm of the drum beats swinging side to side with such melody as their male counterparts danced around them in admiration and possessiveness. Every step they took aroused tingling sounds from the string of bells around their ankles in harmony with the dance steps and drum beats. It was the same in Akure as the women from the State's Cultural Troupe beautifully clad in Aso oke buba and iro took centre stage in their typical owambe style. Bare footed, they danced to different rhythms as the drummers echoed a series of bata dance tunes. The dance troupe, a composition of old and young responded with swift well coordinated steps smiling all the way as they enjoyed doing what they know how to do best. It was almost unbelievable to see these troupes as anything but spring chickens. The CMC was so thrilled that they joined in at a point. These performances are only preambles to what will be dealt out at the Abuja carnival in November.

For the Abuja Carnival to be of global and international standard, the Carnival Management Committee (CMC) headed by Professor Ahmed Yerima, embarked on a zonal workshop and sensitisation tour in the six geopolitical zones of the federation. This started in Minna, the North-Central zone and ended in Akure, South-West zone. This was organised to ensure that the event from November 20th to 23rd, which will also be the fourth in the series, is better packaged in terms of quality, presentation, content and magnitude.

The tour was to educate stakeholders, especially of arts and culture from the states on their responsibilities as well as what is expected of them during the carnival. The sensitisation also gave room for dialogue on past outings indicating areas where amends could be made and changes effected.

At the South-South venue, Yenagoa, the CMC was hosted by Dr. Barclays Ayakoroma, who commended the efforts of Professor Yerima and expressed certainty about the success of this year's carnival, hoping that it would supersede the previous outings. Urging the participants to work as a team and to achieve a laudable carnival this year, he said, "Preparations are on already to ensure that Bayelsa State is a part of the event".

Professor Yerima stressed that the Abuja Carnival was fast gaining international recognition and a lot of people were beginning to organise their schedules to be in Abuja at that time, thus, the need for the carnival to be up to standards of other carnivals worldwide. He said, "That is the reason it is important to appraise ourselves and rub minds together to enrich whatever we had in the past." He further he explained that, "about 10 countries will be in attendance this time and more emphasis should be placed on the cultural content of the carnival to show case in detail, the wealth of our cultural heritage. We are also expecting 50 floats as against the usual 40. We want guests to see a country that is creative ad proactive."

He implored the participants to be more dynamic and social in their approach to costumes and other cultural displays as he encouraged them to create new motives and play around colours and other creative styles and ideas. These he said would better portray Nigeria in full blossom. He emphasised the need for change after three outings indicating that, "this year's event should see the human and natural potentials that the country is blessed with."

As regards floats and their constructions, Yerima noted that the late arrival of vehicles and their designers was responsible for the shoddiness and advised float builders should arrive Abuja at least two days before the event to give them time to do a proper job of it. "Part of the scoring points this year will be early arrival of states, representatives and completion of floats," he added.

He tasked the zonal coordinators to be vibrant and energetic as they carry out their responsibilities making sure that even the grassroots are well informed and rehearsals carried out efficiently. "I want zonal coordinators who understand that the emphasis for this year's carnival is packaging carnival for tourism. We are no longer having a festival where we all just dance and stroll by. There must be something new and refreshing that will bring foreigners to our country and will affect hotels, taxi drivers and every man in one way or the other. The FCT will also reap some benefits rather than just being the facilities provider year in year out. FCT should be able to get back some money."

The need for this cannot be over emphasised as the government is gradually withdrawing financial aid usually given for the funding of the carnival. This has provoked the need to invite private/public sponsorship as hosting the carnival is highly capital intensive. He implored organisers to seek sponsorship from corporate bodies, multinationals and well meaning individuals. This would also be some form of publicity for them as they could brand which ever or several of the events depending on what they decide. The CMC boss stressed that, "the government does not have money to fully sponsor the carnival as it did in 2005 and 2006 respectively. But, before it totally withdraws funding from us let us begin to look else where for assistance."

Realising that the carnival project was under-funded, the Minister for Tourism, Culture and National Orientation; Prince Adetokunbo Kayode, raised the issue of private sponsorship in 2007 which caused different bodies to react differently.

Yerima said, "though investors and sponsors would enjoy the privilege of branding, government is equally on ground to effect control when necessary. We look at our realities from now on. What faces us now is that we do not have funds and so, we should begin to open our fund raising process. Another thing is the government has been absolutely responsible for funding at state and federal level. It has become difficult for us to keep asking government to sponsor us. It is true that he who pays the piper dictates the tune, but at the same time, I think that is where the presence of the government comes in. Even though we are inviting the private sector to be a part of it, we are not giving them complete charge of the carnival. We shall still be there to control the content and issue of moral and branding. We will not let that be over done to a point that we will lose the focus and essence of the carnival."

Yerima, while addressing representatives of the states, informed them of the withdrawal of the allowances usually given to states in the sum of N500,000 to support the Federal Capital Administration to help out with logistics as they play host in addition to being participants at the carnival.

Also, the Assistant Director, FCT Tourism Board, pledged the FCT's preparedness to host visitors and tourists from all over, giving the assurance of providing a most conducive environment for them security, accommodation, medicals, transport and otherwise. "The private sector is always careful to join the government on projects because government almost all the time works based on temperament. When there is a change in power which comes along with its only policy erasing carnival from its list, there is a problem for the private sector that has put money aside believing that their companies are getting some branding mileage from the activities. We know that that would be a problem but we are hoping that government will be consistent to enable the private sector come in and work together carefully in order to achieve some forms of continuity." he stated.

He therefore called on the private sector to take up whatever aspect(s) of the carnival they desire and brand it alongside the carnival logo as, "The time has come when the carnival must begin to benefit, not only the petty traders or participants but companies - the multi-nationals should begin to benefit from it."

He said that the government had done that for three years and "all we are saying is 'assist'. That is why we are not saying that the whole bill of this carnival is N700 million and demanding that it comes from one source. What we are saying is that organisations who are interested in a particular segment of the carnival should come to the venue and brand it, let even the T-shirts for that segment carry the logo of the company that sponsors it. It is not necessarily carrying bags of money back home but you will know that you have touched the lives of some people."

In Akure, the capital of Ondo state, the CMC was welcome by the Director of Arts and Culture of the state, after which a courtesy call was made to the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism which was followed by a courtesy call to the Deputy Governor of the State, Otunba Omolade Oluwateru.

Yerima explained that the reason for their visit was to appeal to the state government for funding as regards the state's contingent and the carnival itself.

Reacting Oluwateru said, "Ondo State being a culture and tourism lover has started preparations towards the carnival and the state is ready to do all it can to support Abuja Carnival."

The Deputy governor encouraged the participants to engage professionals from every phase of the society to help with their ideas and concepts as well as pay particular attention to presentation and originality.

He added, "there is the need for animals and artists to be insured in case of crisis."

Dr. Igharo, Director of Marketing Strategies and Dr Lizzy Ben-Iheanacho, Administrative Secretary who were on the team, emphasised the need for contingents to start preparing early with particular regards to accreditation.