The 4-day Abuja Carnival tagged the jubilee carnival kicks off on the 27th of November.

The event which begins with a street carnival by 7am at the Carnival route, Area 1 to Area 10, NNPC road, Eagle Square, Abuja is organised as part of activities marking the 50th birthday of the Nation.The official opening ceremony is by 4pm at same centre.

Features of the event are children fiesta which takes place at the Millennium part on the 28th, Durbar, at the Equestrian Club ground, Asokoro; Traditional food fair and cultural Night both taking place at the old parade around all on same date.

Participants at the events would also be treated to exciting masquerade fiesta at the masquerade carnival route (Area 111 to Eagles Square), Boat Regatta at the Jabi Dan and command performances at the Sheraton hotel from 7am till 7pm on the 29th.

A 2nd street carnival begins by 12noon from KIA motors, Area 11 to Eagle square on the 30th while the closing ceremony is slated for 4p at the Eagle Square.

Meanwhile, Arts and craft exhibition will hold throughout the carnival period at the old parade ground.

3rd Garden city book fair to hold in Port Harcourt

Port Harcourt, Nigeria’s Garden City is set to host the 2010 Garden City Literary Festival from Wed 8 to Sat 11 December at the Altantic Hall of the Hotel Presidential. Hundreds of visitors are expected in this third outing which promises to draw participants from around the country.

The Garden City Book Fair is part of the activities of the annual Garden City Literary Festival that has been taking place since 2008. Past participants in this exhibition have included publishing giants like Litramed, Heinman, Longman and University Press. International organisations such as the British Council and Alliance Francaise have also taken part. The exhibition has also been patronized by the banking and insurance sector as well as other ventures that take advantage of the excellent business opportunity to showcase their products.

The Garden City Literary Festival draws hundreds of visitors to Port Harcourt for 4 days of activity that include an International Literature Conference, Drama performances and special events for children. Writers to the festival in the past have included J.P. Clark, Ngugi wa Thiong’o,  Sefi Atta and Igoni Barrett.  Headlining this year’s events are Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka and Nobel Laureate JMG Le Clezio.  This year 50 Nigerian writers will also be honoured for their contribution to nation building to mark Nigeria’s 50 years of independence. For more information you may visit the website (www.gardencityfestival.com)