The second edition of the Kogi State Cultural Carnival is slated for the first quota of year 2021, has however began with advocacy and Sensitization visits to the palaces of Traditional Father’s by the State’s Cultural Ambassador, Kemi Olawumi.
Speaking with THENIGERIANPOST, the State’s Cultural Ambassador said the shift in date from 2020 till the month of February, 2021 is occasioned by the effect of Covid19 and the need for schools and the children participating in the carnival settle down to there studies and examination after the long break of staying at home.
The Children Cultural Carnival the Ambassador explains got the State Government’s approval for a second edition which ought to have been held since April, lamented that it could not hold because of the Covid19 pandemic that affected socioeconomic activities.
She disclosed that already as part of ensuring that the second edition records outstanding success, she has completed visits to Solicit commitment of the five Area Traditional Council Chairmen, described there support for the carnival as encouraging.
Her advocacy she explained began with a visit to the Chairman Ijumu Traditional Council, her place of origin to seek the support of the Olujumu of Ijumu land, added that she has also paid same visit to the Aguma of Bassa, Ohimege Igu Kotonkarfe, Obaro of Kabba, Attah Igala and the Ohinoyi of Ebira Land.
While she explained that building on the successes of the maiden edition of the children cultural carnival which held in 2018, she intends to moving forward make the children cultural carnival Nationwide, reason she said made her extend her advocacy visit to other Traditional Council Chairmen like the Ona of Abaji, Etsu Nupe and the Sultan of Sokoto, expressed optimism that the next edition would be a carnival to behold.
The Kogi State Cultural Ambassador described Culture as a way of life of a people, said the children cultural carnival seeks to teach educate children on the need to imbibe culture, morals, discipline to be responsible at home and in the society’, said efforts is ongoing to hold a carnival that would meet national and international standards.
The 2021 Children Cultural Carnival the Ambassador explains would feature alot of activities ranging from beauty to cooking competitions as well as cultural displays, requires much practice and hardwork, reason why it had to be shifted from 2020 to enable the participants time to practice and do rehearsals coming out of a prolonged covid19 break that kept them out of school.
One spectacular efforts to make the second edition a memorable experience according to the Kogi State Cultural Ambassador, Kemi Olawumi is the partnership with Intercontinental Distillers Limited, the major brand sponsors, which she noted has raised the stake for next year’s edition.
Kemi Olawumi added that the next edition would also be supported by Indomie while the NSCDC are equally adding there support to ensure Security and a hitch free carnival.
She urged participating School’s and Students to see the next year’s edition as one that would linger on the minds of people of the State, appreciated the support of the State Government and other critical stakeholders towards ensuring that the carnival holds successful.