Abuja Carnival has been re-branded as Nigeria National Carnival to make it more acceptable as a national event and to involve more stakeholders in the carnival.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 2015 Nigeria National Carnival will hold from November 21 to 24.

Ms. Grace Gekpe, the Director Entertainment and Creative Services Department of Federal Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation disclosed this in an interview with NAN.

Gekpe said that the ministry had been having challenges with the name Abuja Carnival and to make it more acceptable to all stakeholders, there was need to change the name.

“That is why we now have it as ‘Nigeria National Carnival’ so that people will not see it as a state carnival or FCT carnival.

“The challenge is that when you are talking to people about Abuja Carnival, it is alleged that other states have their carnivals like Calabar Carnival, why should we come and support a state carnival.

“If you say it is a national carnival, it should not be Abuja, so this is what informed the change or rebranding of the name.”

Gekpe said that all 36 states including the FCT would be participating in the carnival as letters had already gone to the governors inviting the states to participate.

She said that the ministry was introducing some innovations into the 2015 carnival to make it people oriented.

“We are going to be involving the residents of the host city, who have always been kept in the dark during the carnival.

“So we will be going to the grassroots and we are involving the six area councils this year, we have written letters to them.”

She said that there would also be pre-carnival activities such as road shows, special float at the six area councils before the main carnival.

She added that during the pre-carnival activities at the area councils, and other performances would take place to sensitise the public about the carnival.

According to her, Miss Carnival will be introduced at the 2015 Carnival, adding that whoever wins the contest will promote the carnival nationally and internationally.

She listed activities lined up for the carnival to include Street Carnival, Traditional Circus, Durbar, Children Fiesta, Cultural Night, Boat Regatta, exhibitions, command performance, among others. (NAN)