CARNIRIV 2010: London Confirms Participation

As Port-Harcourt, Rivers State comes alive for this year’s edition of CARNIRIV, the Chief Executive Officer of London’s Nottinghill Carnival Village, Mr. Shabaka Thompson, has confirmed his participation at the Carnival coming up in December.

In a special correspondence to MessageWise Ltd  Consultants for CARNIRIV, Mr. Shabaka Thompson stated that his team was excited about visiting Port-Harcourt for CARNIRIV and the opportunities for cultural integration that the Carnival holds.

He further expressed the hope that his team’s participation at CARNIRIV would forge and sustain a link where expertise and creativity would be exchanged towards the growth of CARNIRIV which he also described as a wonderful cultural exposition in Nigeria.

This year’s carnival in Port-Harcourt would showcase some of the best prize winning costumes from the Nottinghill Carnival in London, the Yea Asantewaa Carnival Group and a special award winning masquerade from Trinidad and Tobago.

Meanwhile, ahead of the commencement of the carnival, Port-Harcourt, the Rivers State capital and host city for CARNIRIV is wearing a new look as promotional billboards and other street adornments have begun to transform the Garden city’s landscape. The carnival website www.carnirivnigeria.com is also recording thousands of hits as the momentum for the carnival heightens.

Special highlights of the carnival include a Children’s Parade, Talent Night, Boat Regatta, Praise Festival with Sammie Okposo, Reggae and Old Skool Nite with ace comedian – Julius Agwu as host, a Peace Concert and 2 days of spectacular Street Parade by the Local Government Areas Heritage Floats and newly formed Freestyle Bands. The Old Port-Harcourt Town Groove, a mega street party and new addition to CARNIRIV is also scheduled to hold at Aggrey Road, widely regarded as the pioneer carnival street in Port-Harcourt.

CARNIRIV holds in Port Harcourt from December 13-18, 2010 and will feature a rich cast of Nigerian and international artistes among them Busta Rhymes, Lil Kim, D’Banj, Timaya, Mighty Duncan, Terry G, kaffy and a special appearance by The Ebony Champion Steel Band of London.