Alhaji Abubakar Mohammed, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, during the week in Abuja inaugurated the 2011 Abuja Carnival Organising Committee for the proper planning and packaging of the festival.

Speaking on the occasion, Mohammed stressed the need for the 10-member committee to draw up plans that would attract both international and local tourists to Abuja.

“We are very much aware of the challenges that confronted past carnivals; you should ensure that the private sector and the FCT Administration are fully involved in the realisation of this noble project.

“The carnival serves as a platform to promote the rich cultural heritage and showcases the best of Nigeria’s cultural patrimony,’’ he said.

Mohammed urged members of the committee to employ their experience to package a hitch-free and better organised carnival with the participation of more foreign countries.

Mohammed urged members of the committee, whom, he said, were carefully chosen, and drawn from the ministry, universities and other related organisations, to “package a world-class carnival for the year’’.

Responding on behalf of the members, the chairman of the committee, Mr. George Ufot, thanked the minister for considering them worthy of the assignment.

“The inauguration of the committee came at the right time in terms of preparations,” he said.

The Abuja Carnival, which started in 2005, is held annually in November.