The Nigeria Cultural Heritage Carnival (NCHC) scheduled to hold in Scandinavia has been postponed due to the delay in the passage of the 2018 budget.
Mr Bolude Ibrahim, a representative of the Mogaji Atanbo International Promotion, a co- organiser of the event, announced the postponement at a news conference in Lagos.
He said that the carnival which would have a popular Yoruba film actor, Saheed Balogun, as its Brand Ambassador, had been rescheduled to hold in Denmark from Sept. 5 to Sept. 8 instead of June 6 to June 9.
The conference held at the Palace of the Olu of Agege.
“The event is supposed to be sponsored solely by the Federal Government, but before the endorsement could be signed by the government, the 2018 Budget was passed into law.
“With the development, we will need to wait till next year if the federal government should sponsor the project alone, but we decided to make it happen this year and sought approval of the government and external support.
“We met with state governments, individuals and companies for their support to make sure we deliver on the aims,” he said.
Ibrahim said that the carnival was aimed at promoting Nigeria’s culture, arts and heritage.
NCHC 2018 is organised by Afrowood Media, Senior Boyz Production and Mogaji Atanbo International Promotion in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture and in partnership with the African Chamber of Commerce, Scandanivia.
“NCHC is a conceptualised cultural carnival aimed at showcasing all Nigeria’s indigenous rich cultural heritage to the Scandinavian and American audience.
“The event will entail redefining Nigeria as the giant of Africa for a good reason,’’ Ibrahim said.
He noted that Nigeria was richly endowed with ecological and cultural resources, which should be of universal recognition.
He said the carnival would bring together Nigeria, other African countries, Scandinavia and America to experience the power of arts, culture, heritage and tourism to attain economic empowerment.
Ibrahim said that the carnival would also provide an opportunity for fruitful bilateral and socio-cultural relations as well as youth development and exchange of ideas.
According to him, the choice to hold the first edition of the carnival in Scandinavia, precisely in Denmark, is because the conceiver, Mr Stephen King, resides in Denmark.
“That makes it easier to penetrate the terrain.’’
Mr Olugbenga Ogunniyi, representative of Senior Boyz Production, named Nigeria’s popular Yoruba film actor, Mr Saheed Balogun, as the brand ambassador of the carnival.
Ogunniyi said that the carnival had been designed as a platform for Nigerians and other Africans to share the positive aspect of their cultures to the outside world.
“To celebrate our rich culture with the Scandinavians, this carnival will feature a live band, performances from the National Troupe and made in Nigeria products, among others,” he said.
Ogunniyi lauded the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State and others for support for the carnival.
