The Truth About CARNIRIV

The beauty of our environment ignites the mind to think but no real thought to bring the aesthetic nature to reality CARNIRIV has come and gone. The twenty three local government councils have presented their hired cultural troupes to showcase their culture and custom of tradition. Where is the Garnival we are celebrating yearly as culture of Rivers people? We do not have museum in Rivers State. No amusement park in Rivers State, no Tourist centres owned by the Rivers State Government. If there is knowledge of what arts and culture are all about, there is no way we should be celebrating camival in that manner?

The cardinal objectives of why carnival is organised was defected. Why? There is no sustainability of arts and culture in Rivers State as government is not making anything serious about the study of arts or creative arts in schools. Has the Rivers State Government honoured the artists who carved the masks and prepared the costumes? Rivers State Government through the aid of local government Councils hired some Men, women, boys and girls together to do what they have done in the name of CANIRIV. This is huge waste of our God-given resources to Rivers people. It is unfair the; way carnival is being organised in Rivers State in recent times.

How many foreigners attended the CARNIRIV and improved the revenue earning of Rivers State? Yet billions of naira has been spent without profit to the state? I am not against the celebration of culture if it is done to establish our heritage. We need to borrow a leaf from Cross Rivers State which has tourist centres that boost her revenue earnings through carnival whenever it is organised. The Government of Rivers State Should support artists if carnival should be done with the good intention.

Analytically, those who participated in the CARNIRIV were political boys and girls and even men and women. If you are not in the right party you are not invited or sponsored to partake in the CARNIRIV. So, what is the joy of the CARNIRIV? The carvers or artists are left behind in the villages without encouragement. It is not time to see the stadium as the only venue for CANIRIV. We have, places in Buguma, Ahoada, Bori, Andoni, Bonny, Omoku and Etche etc where Rivers State Government can develop, for Carnival. Carnival is not done at a particular place. It is time to take it to several places for people to feel and see how good environment is.

Indeed, CARNIRIV should not be for politicians alone. But should be for those who want to take part. According to Oxford Advanced Leamer’s Dictionary, special edition, carnival is a public festival, usually one that happens at a rcgular time each year, that involves music and dancing in the streets, for which people wear colourful clothes. The CARNIRIV train only moved from Air Force junction to Aggrey road. What is the impact on the life and people of Rivers State? If Rivers State Government has taken CARNIRIV as her responsibility then every Rivers people must be happy about it.

We need artefacts and art work in Rivers State. Can you imagine the whites convincing our people to sell their artefacts. This is what government can use as a medium to disorientate our people from selling their artefacts. It is high time for government to think twice. It is believed that culture when rightly done promotes unity and mutual co-existence of a people. It may interest you to know that there is no chronological data of the artefacts or masks used at the CARNIRIV.

In organising CARNIRIV, there is need for Rivers State Government to create chance to honour some illustrious artists and writer;;. Since it is a week long ceremony. government should use such also to enlighten Rivers people on the importance of CARNIRIV. It should not be a political party affair.

This, museum development should be taken seriously in Rivers State. Tourist centres should be developed across the state for Revenue.

Rivers State government should look beyond using State fund for such occasion. There is need for all to see CARNIRIV as revenue booster to Government and increase sales for business men and women. CARNIRIV has come to stay. But let it be done to boost the morale of people morally and positively.

Remember CARNIRIV has activated and revived Spiritism and Satanism. Let us do away with anything that will undermine the interest of peace in our dear state.

Ogwuonuonu resides in Port Harcourt.

Frank Ogwuonuonu