Photo: Leadership

Abuja carnival

The First Lady, Dame (Dr.) Patience Goodluck Jonathan, has stated that as the Tourism Ambassador of Nigeria, she will always be committed to giving a boost to all efforts towards ensuring that culture and tourism take their rightful place in the socio-economic life of the nation.

According to a release signed by the Special Assistant to the President, (Media) Office of the First Lady, Ayo Osinlu the First Lady stated this in her address at the opening ceremony of the 8th Abuja National Carnival, at the Eagle Square, Abuja on Saturday, November 24.

She stated further that she would partner with the Federal Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation to actualize Nigeria’s vision of becoming an attractive destination for culture and tourism patrons across the world.

She noted that the Abuja National Carnival has become a rallying point for Nigerian Cultures, thereby promoting understanding and mutual respect among people from diverse backgrounds.

While urging Nigerians to embrace the spirit and theme of the carnival, which is “Carnival of Peace and Harmony,” Dame Patience appealed to Nigerian women and youths to cultivate the virtues of dignity and good neighbourliness, as well as project ideals and values that will encourage peaceful co-existence and national unity.

The First Lady, who observed with delight, that culture and tourism practitioners were now fully expressing their creative potentials, highlighted the numerous opportunities that the carnival presented, especially the immense socio-economic benefit to the nation and urged private and public sector organizations to support the sustenance of the carnival.

In his remarks earlier, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke, stated that since its inception in 2005, the Abuja National Carnival had continued to showcase the nation’s rich and diverse cultural heritage, while promoting the country as a safe, warm and hospitable tourism destination.

He said that this year’s carnival is a special edition, as it involves women, youth organizations, school children, non-governmental and specialized organizations, including military and paramilitary organizations.