Nigeria will participate in the World Junkanoo Festival for Tourism and Culture in Vaughan City, Canada slated for July 4 to 8 to showcase the country’s cultural heritage and tourism potential, the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy has said.
Nigeria’s country representative from the ministry, Amb. Prince Felix Ihonre, who made this known in Abuja yesterday, said the festival is being organised by the World Junkanoo Festival Foundation, World Carnival Commission, Africa Caribbean Social Development Council and Supported by the Ontario Black History Society among others.
Ihonre said it was important to note that since the inception of the President Bola Tinubu administration, sports, tourism, ecotourism, medical tourism and cultural entertainment promotions at the local, state, regional and international levels have received tremendous boosts and support from government at all levels.
“It is important to let the world know that it has been over 400 years and it is time to teach the next generation our culture and tradition, most especially Africans in the diaspora.
“We expect the attendance and active participation of custodians of cultural heritage worldwide, including the Obong of Calabar, Ooni of Ife, Oba of Benin, the Supreme Traditional Rulers Council of Akwa Ibom and Mbale of Abia from Nigeria; the Ashanti, Akyem, Fante among others.
“Come let us showcase our traditional heritage globally through music, and dance, exhibit our cultural diversities, discuss and learn our history through Junkanoo and promote our heritage Tourism. The past is the key to the future generation born and yet unborn,” he said.
He further said speakers during the events are; Antoine Henry – World Carnival Commission (Canada), Shirley Shellingford (Boston Canal ), and Dr. Kurt Henry (Jamaica). Dr Grace Khadijatu Kamara (Sierra Leone), Ms Jemma Jordan (Trinidad and Tobago), and Ms Frances Delso BBPA Canada among other notable speakers.
