Dr. Sam Dede, Director General, Rivers State Tourism Development Agency
The 2014 edition of Carniriv: The Port Harcourt Carnival climaxed in grand style at the Carnival Village, Port Harcourt, Rivers state on Saturday 20th December with grand performances by Timaya and a host of other artistes to the delight of thousands of carnival lovers who kept faith with the carnival.
The carnival, which kicked off on Friday 12th December witnessed the successful staging of over ten different events which attracted audiences from within and outside the shores of the country for nine days of fun, excitement, drama and high octane entertainment.
Carniriv 2014 roared to life with the maiden edition of Miss Carniriv which crowned Miss Port Harcourt, Stephaine Chinda, as the carnival Queen at a competitive final which attracted representatives from the 23 local government areas to the Hotel Presidential in Port Harcourt. Miss Chinda smiled home with a brand new Hyundai Grand car, a foreign scholarship to study overseas as part of the Rivers State Government’s foreign study scholarship scheme and all the privileges befitting of a true Port Harcourt beauty queen.
A star performance by Waje and an A-class presentation by Uti Nwachukwu, compeer for the event, set the tone for the entire carnival which will be remembered for its colour, creativity, uniqueness and spirit of togetherness which permeated the entire carnival season.
Other events followed in quick succession with Dance of Fireflies, International Aquatic Fiesta, Cultural Arts Exhibition, Egelege, Ekere, BAMFEST, Reggae 360, HOSH Jam and the International Heritage Parade to mention but a few. The high point of the Carnival was the Garden City Freestyle Parade, a 14 kilometre carnival procession which was flagged off by the State Governor, Honourable Rotimi Amaechi, who led the walk from start to finish. An annual ritual!
Governor Amaechi urged the people of Rivers State to vote for continuity in order to guarantee the sustenance of the carnival and thanked them for coming out en-masse to celebrate Rivers State during the walk.
At the befitting closing ceremony held at Elekahia Stadium, Port Harcourt, the Chief Executive, who is considered the major impetus behind the successful staging of the Carniriv throughout the duration of his administration, promised the citizens of the state that the spirit of the carnival will outlive his administration and urged the citizens to continue to promote the culture and heritage of Rivers State.
Director General of the Rivers State Tourism Development Agency, RSTDA, Dr Sam Dede, thanked everyone who worked tirelessly to ensure the success of the carnival. He expressed his delight that the carnival brand has continued to grow from strength to strength each year.
Carniriv 2014 will be remembered for the opportunity it afforded young talents to rise and shine while performing on the same stage with indigenous global icons such as Davido, Patoranking, Phyno, Timaya, Terry G, Waconzi, Majek Fashek, Ras Kimono and a host of others.
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