The Nigerian Embassy in Harare, Zimbabwe has reported that Newsday (Daily) Newspaper of Zimbabwe dated 29th November, 2013) featured an article entitled “Abuja carnival: a learning curve for Zimbabwe” in which it suggests that Zimbabwe’s participation at the concluded Abuja Carnival in Nigeria upon the invitation of Nigeria’s Tourism and Culture Minister, Edem Duke, was a learning curve and an enlightening opportunity for the country as Zimbabwe is set to host the second edition of the Zimbabwe International Carnival from May 16 to 23, 2014.
According to the report, the Abuja carnival, which was held between 23rd-26th November, 2013 and attracted Nigeria’s 36 States as well as International participants from countries such as Trinidad and Tobago, Namibia, Ghana, Egypt and China, among others are celebrated under the theme, “a people for a century, a people forever “ , to commemorate Nigeria’s 100 years of existence as a nation.
The report further alluded to Zimbabwe’s Tourism Authority (ZTA)’s Managing Director, for National Conventions Bureau, Tesa Chikaponye, who said Zimbabwe’s delegation was in Abuja to participate in the various festivities because of the significance that of Abuja Carnival being one of the biggest in Nigeria and Africa, and therefore, afforded them (Zimbabwe delegation) the opportunity to understudy Nigeria on how to successfully organize carnivals of such magnitude.
In view of fact that Zimbabwe is endowed with diverse cultures, traditions, festivals, talents and unique tourism sites like the Victoria falls and Kariba Lake, among others, Mrs. Chikaponye expressed confidence in the future of Zimbabwe, particularly on the potential to boost domestic tourism as well as embarking on a positive destination image through the hosting of the nation’s carnival as wonderfully exhibited in Abuja.
It is significant that Zimbabwe’s Tourism Authority (ZTA)’s delegation not only participated in the four day Abuja Carnival between 23-26 November, 2013, but commended Nigeria for successfully organized such festivities, and pledging to learn some useful lessons on same, with a view to adopt some of these experiences, while organizing the next edition of Harare International Festival (HIFA) slated for May, 2014.
Relevant Nigerian Tourism authority, should therefore, endeavour to reciprocate ZTA’s gestures by participating actively in subsequent cultural festivals that Zimbabwe may organize, as these help to improve the bilateral and cultural relations between our two countries.
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