Shettima backs carnival for economic growth

Vice President Kashim Shettima on Wednesday said beyond just promoting the nation’s rich cultural heritage, the Nigerian carnival industry also has enormous potential to drive national unity and cohesion and empower the youths.

To this effect, he pledged that the government is positioning the country’s carnival industry to tap from the global carnival market, estimated at $5 billion, as a strategic lever for the nation’s economic growth.

Shettima said this during a meeting with a delegation from the Abuja International Carnival at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The VP’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communication, Mr Stanley Nkwocha, revealed details of the meeting in a statement he signed Wednesday titled, ‘VP Shettima: A Vibrant Carnival Industry Will Unite Nigeria, Empower Our Youths.’

Shettima underscored the immense potential of the $5bn global carnival market to assist in Nigeria’s economic growth agenda.

He said, “The value of the global carnival market is estimated at $5bn. This underscores its potential to assist us in our economic growth agenda.

“Beyond promoting our rich cultural heritage, It is a driver for national unity and cohesion. We also have to look at the potential for economic value addition.”

Shettima pledged the support of the administration of President Bola Tinubu to youth enterprises in the creative industry, saying it has the potential to drive employment and national cohesion.

He pointed to the success of major carnival events around the world such as the Rio de Janeiro Carnival, which attracts as many as 200 million visitors yearly, and the Calabar Carnival, which has become intertwined with the cultural heritage of the Efik/Ibibio people.

“The Abuja carnival used to be an even bigger event. I urge you to fast-track all efforts toward holding this event,” VP Shettima charged the Abuja International Carnival delegation.

The Vice President also highlighted the government’s investment in the Digital and Creative Enterprises project, a $618m initiative aimed at supporting the digital and creative industries, including the carnival sector.

Earlier, Chief Executive Officer of the Abuja International Carnival, Kehinde Adegbite, thanked the Vice President for his support, outlining plans to partner with the Ministry of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy to revitalize the carnival.

“We met with the Minister of Art, Culture, and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, who is creative-driven and agreed that we partner with the ministry for the project.

“The carnival brings unity, empowers the youths, and helps discover talents,” he said.