Arguably the most colourful and largest street festival in Europe, the annual Notting Hill Carnival which originated in 1964 as a platform for Afro-Caribbean communities to celebrate their culture and tradition, again lit up the streets of London on August 26. It was a headline event that made the city of London agog to the admiration of residents and tourists from across the world.
The carnival which is an amazing array of sounds, colourful sights and social solidarity featured exceptional displays from people of diverse cultures and nationalities including numerous tourists from Nigeria.
In furtherance of the strategic positioning of the state as a preferred destination for business and leisure, Rivers State was again on parade at this year's Notting Hill Carniproffering val with eminent personalities including top government officials and indigenes of the state adorning the rich costumes of Rivers people.
The state cultural ambassadors were at the event under the auspices of the Rivers State Tourism Development Agency, RSTDA, the agency responsible for marketing the internationally acclaimed Port Harcourt Carnival, CARNIRIV, brand. On duty to showcase the beauty and vibrancy of Rivers people were the state Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Nnabuihe Imegwu; Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mr. Gogo Levi Charles; Special Adviser to the Governor on Culture and Tourism, Mr. Iboroma Harry; Chairman, Okrika Local Government, Barrister Tamuno Williams; Chairman, RSTDA, Deacon Vincent Erinwa; Director – General, Dr. Sam Dede and board members including Chief John Yowika; Mr. Charles Awortu and Mr. Joseph Ewuse among others. There were also prominent Nollywood stars of the state origin.
The Rivers contingent was a cynosure of all eyes as they paraded the streets of London in exquisite costumes and colours that served the world a foretaste of what to experience at tbe Port Harcourt Carnival holding in December. Their costumes attracted the attention and following of a mammoth crowd of Nigerians in the Diaspora, Jamaicans, Brazilians and people of other nationalities.
While in London, the contingent was first hosted to a cultural reception at the prestigious African Centre in London. During the reception, they put the best of Rivers culture on display with a spectacular float and rich cultural display.
In a welcome address, Executive Director, Zmirage UK, Shabaka Thompson said, "it is a privileged position for Rivers State to be part of the Notting Hill Carnival again this year, thereby becoming a prominent Nigerian state to make a distinctive cultural intrusion onto the world stage with the Notting Hill Carnival to showcase an authentic African cultural brand called CARNIRIV".
Speaking further on the initiative, the former CEO of Notting Hill Carnival said the move by Rivers State was both timely and strategic ''because CARNIRIV is bringing something unique to the world and also something authentically African and creative'.'
He described himself as "an adopted Port Harcourt boy'', noting that following his invitation to CARNIRIV in 2010, he was able to reconnect with his roots.
He said CARNIRIV is "one place you should be". Shabaka informed that CARNIRIV publicity campaign materials for this year were already on buses plying the streets of London saying, "last year, we had a large contingent of tourists who visited Rivers State to attend CARNIRIV and this year, we hope to increase the number considering the wider impact of the publicity campaign being driven in both the traditional media and the social media from here and Nigeria respectively.
He further disclosed that, Rivers State was the first Nigerian state to introduce the Afrobeat genre of music to the Notting Hill Carnival musical tradition as opposed to the calypso type of music the carnival had always run on.
"This is a significant achievement considering the warm embrace Afrobeat has received as result of this effort therefore drawing more attention to the music's country of origin and the personality of the late Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo'', he stressed. Imeagwu while corroborating Shabaka applauded the decision by his ministry and RSTDA to leverage Notting Hill Carnival for the global marketing of the rich culture of Rivers people as well as reinforcing the strength of the black race.
"The essence of being here is to hedge deeper into the platform that has already been established by the Caribbeans and to exemplify what other African States ought to be doing to improve the perception of Africa and African culture. It is also aimed at emphasising the conviviality of our people and our values", he stated.
Imeagwu added that this year's edition of CARNIRIV would be used to wrap-up the celebration of the centenary anniversary of the city of Port Harcourt. In her goodwill message at the event, Sally Sturgeon, Director of the People's World Carnival, CARNIRIV's partner troupe at the Notting Hill Carnival said, "We are happy to be partnering with CARNIRIV bringing a carnival of the people of Rivers State on the world stage.
This for us is a fulfilment of our vision. We are indeed a people's world carnival group and we are delighted at every opportunity to showcase cultural diversity to the world".
National Mirror