Rivers Wins Abuja Carnival ‘09

Chairman of the occasion and Chief Executive Officer, Silverbird Communications, Ben Murray Bruce (left) conferring with Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, Dr Godwin Mpi, who represented the Information Commissioner, during the formal opening ceremony of NUJ Press Week, Rivers Council, on Monday. Photo: Chris Monyanaga

Rivers State has won the over-all best performing state prize at the just concluded Abuja Carnival at the Federal Capital City, garnering two gold and four silver medals in six different categories.

The state won gold in the best canoe regatta costume and best masquerade categories.

The state also lifted the golden trophy for overall best performing state in the carnival which also attracted for the state governor the special award as facilitator of the state contingents success story.

The four day carnival which started on Saturday last week with the parade of contingents from the 36 states and Abuja saw Rivers showcasing a kaleidoscope of colours and awesome display of rich culture for which it is uniquely known.

In the end the state confirmed its pre-carnival rating as one of the states with very rich and enviable cultural heritage to win the best overall performing state in Nigeria.

Nasarawa state won the over-all second position garnering two gold and three bronze medals. They include Bronze in three categories namely, Carnival costume and carnival king in addition to winning gold in the best masquerade and most spectacular masquerade categories of the carnival.

The third place went to the federal capital City Abuja which won gold medals in carnival king and best carnival costumes category.

Co-ordinator of the Ikule Masquerade Society, one of the groups that represented Rivers State at the carnival, Mr Kenneth Amabipi, said the outcome shows that the forthcoming Rivers Cultural Carnival will be very competitive and indeed interesting and commended government for the support shown to the contingent.