Bring Back CARNIRIV, Rivers Residents Pleads

Clevenard.com's study reveals that Rivers state's residents are unhappy that the annual Caniriv, which is usually done in Port Harcourt, has not been held for years.

They want the state government to bring back the carnival but says it should be held in the local government areas.

Speaking with some residents of the state, a male resident said: "When it is well organized, there will be an access fee, and the process will generate income that will be used for another year, but let us also see it as a way to promote our culture and ensure that money comes in."

A female resident said: "We don’t have to wait for December, the Carniriv can be re-strategized in a way that starts from July, August, September down, the summer holiday abroad, we can change it here.

“The culture is still there if we can still go back and the youths can be empowered through it, and also create education for the younger ones."

"We should also take it to the rural areas and that is where we see the beauty of culture itself,” another resident said.

For the economic aspect of the urban-rural migration during the yuletide, business analyst and Frontline journalist, Ignatius Chukwu, notes that urban dwellers returning to their base after the festivities, leave rural residents going back to their lifestyle of struggling to make ends meet.

He insists insecurity must be tackled if urban-rural economies are to merge successfully.

"Road network and security in the rural areas, warehouses can be built in the rural areas, road infrastructure can be developed and certain events can be moved to the rural areas,” he said.

“Especially tourism and entertainment industry, it can be boosted. A lot of beaches are in Rivers State, outdoor events can happen in the bushes, that’s why we have bush bars, most of us see a bush bar in the city, and the rural areas are the areas where we really have bush bars.

The government can build in mechanisms to integrate rural and urban economies. If there is insecurity, it will not work."

He also noted that
Kalabari, Etche, Ikwerre, Ogoni, and all the other ethnic nationalities in Rivers State have a rich culture, showcased in their dialect, attire, music, and food.

Findings by Clevenard.com's Franca Idemudia reveals that the state's Tourism Development Agency had some plans to revamp the tourism sector to better project the rich cultural heritage of the 23 Local Government Areas of the state but it's being limited by lots of constraints.

Yibo Koko, DG, Rivers State's Tourism Development Agency says,

"We had creative hubs, the idea was, like what you see in Isiokpo, what they did in Andoni, in Degema, Opobo, Bonny.
“We had these conversations with the government, While we're waiting for Carniriv, let’s go back to what it used to be when we were growing up. Remember our dances and masquerades and bring back that spirit of a cultural village where entertainment, business, hospitality and tourism thrives, contributing to the state's economy.

Also, communities in Rivers State are always busy during the yuletide following various events.
With such events, the rural economy experienced a boom but the question is whether it can be sustained after the festive period.

Yibo Koko, believes this can be achieved if big brands that sponsor events held in the capital, Port Harcourt, also sponsor those in the rural communities.

Their support, he said can reduce all expenses from those who do it directly from their pockets and most of these things are done for the feel-good, he said.

Continuing: "if you do not tackle it from the authenticity of your art and your culture, it becomes difficult for us to embrace our own and these are the things that will make it more sustainable, because the person wey dey do George wrapper, the way them take tie am, the Iria, the kukunbiteh, the Igbiri, the masquerade the way they carve them can make a living.

He continued that
Some communities had cultural events, like Opobo which had its yearly boat regatta, Ishiokpo with its bicycle carnival, Andoni with its beach party, and other organized football matches which can attract and sustain inter and intra states tourism.

Though the ministry it yet to have a functional commissioner, those at the helm of culture, arts and tourism in the state needs to start living up to its responsibilities.

A state can't be this endowed and still lack developments.

It is imperative that the leadership of the sector start harnessing these gifts for the betterment of its people as indeed Rivers State is blessed.

with the Advent of IT, everything is possible.

Category:

Arts & Culture 

Oganisation:

Clevenard.com

Writer:

Franca Idemudia

Phone:

08060353790

• 24 Mar, 2024
• Franca
• 450 views