By CALEB ANYANSINA

The Federal Government has promised to continue to harness peoples’ cultural heritage and creativity to rejuvenate the country’s economy.

The Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke attested that the organization of Abuja Carnival had not only improved the socio-economic values of the Nigerian cultural products, but had also placed the country on the Global Tourism Map.

Duke, who stated this during a Stakeholders’ Meeting/Sensitization Workshop for the 9th Edition of the Abuja National Carnival tagged; ‘A People for a Century, A People Forever’, in Abuja, noted that the carnival would be used as part of the centenary celebration.

He noted that there was a need for Nigeria to emulate countries like Great Britain, Trinidad and Tobago and other countries in the word that use carnival as a huge source of revenue generation.

The Minister said, “I’m of the opinion that with our collective efforts, we can harness our diverse rich cultural efforts, we can harness our divers’ rich cultural heritage and creativity to rejuvenate Nigeria’s economy, provide an alternative source of revenue for the nation and improve Foreign Direct Investment in the culture and tourism sector.”

He explained that the workshop was designed to evolve strategies to encourage the private sector’s participation and partnership, as a means of attracting fund to complement the limited resource of the government.

“There is no better forum than this to critically assess last year’s edition of the carnival with a view to identifying areas that can be improved upon in order to uplift the brand to international standard,” the minister concluded.

Duke noted further that China, South Africa, Kenya, Namibia, Equatorial Guinea and Trinidad and Tobago had all indicated their interest to participate in the carnival.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs. Nkech Ejele noted that the Abuja Carnival, inaugurated by the then President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2005 had no doubt “provided Nigerians a platform to come together as one entity to showcase our rich and diverse cultural heritage.”

Although she recognized the fact that the country was facing challenges, “The enthusiasm and excitement shown by the participating states, organizations and friendly countries demonstrate the socio-economic value of the carnival.

“The carnival has also highlighted Nigeria as a safe, secure, exciting and amazing tourism destination, a fascinating country indeed.