Rivers troupe has emerged as the overall winner of the 2024 Abuja International Carnival competitive events while Borno and Yobe emerged as first and second runner-up.
Bauchi and Abia, took the fourth and fifth positions, while the Best in Durbar event award went to Yobe and Delta as the Best in Masquerade event award.
The carnival competition judges announced the results at the closing ceremony of the event held on Monday night at the Eagles Square.
The carnival, which was held from Nov.23 to 25, with the theme,” Carnival of Renewed Hope: a Pledge to My Country”, had participating bands from across different states in Nigeria.
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Rivers emerges overall winner at 2024 Abuja Int’l Carnival It featured a range of activities, including floats and street shows, musical concerts, traditional food competition, boat regatta, Durbar, children’s Fiesta and art exhibitions.
The closing ceremony was a night of glitz and glamour in colourful and festive ambience, which characterises carnivals, as it featured indigenous fashion show and parade across the arena by participating teams.
Rivers topped the medal list with the Best Carnival Float, Best Carnival King, Best Carnival Queen, Best Performance, Best Carnival Costume and Best in Indigenous Nigerian Fashion Parade.
Other accolades won by Rivers include Best in Traditional Food Competition, Best in Boat Regatta Event, Best in Children Carnival and Best in Cultural Night Event.
The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, said the carnival was meant to promote cultural diversity and support creative economy.
According to her, the carnival serves as a platform to remind the world of Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage and a springboard for national cohesion and acceptance.
“The Abuja International Carnival aims to boost cultural tourism and enhance Nigeria’s international profile and foster national unity, boost international culture promotion and create economic opportunities for local artists and entrepreneurs.
“I urge all states to ensure full participation in the 2025 edition of the carnival because it is our own,” she said.
The minister said the Abuja International Carnival is a partnership innovation between the Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy and Yankee Entertainment, a promoter of the Nigerian image through entertainment.