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Nigeria
Tour Update from latest edition of Africa Travel
Magazine I
AM ABUJA ... “I am
Abuja, federal capital of Nigeria since 1991. I am
located in the heart of Africa's most populous
country, and confident about my future as a world
center and magnet for cultural, adventure,
educational and leisure tourism in the magical
lands of Nigeria beyond my borders. My broad, well
maintained paved streets, attractively landscaped
boulevards and modern overpasses keep the traffic
flowing at a smooth pace, morning, noon and night -
and with wide cinemascopic vistas in every
direction, there's no feeling of being hemmed in by
gridlock. Being in the Nigerian heartland, I am
adjacent to the states of Kogi, Niger, Kaduna and
Nassarawa. During Carnival week festivities in late
November, visitors will see the culture of all 36
states on display in rhythmic, pulsating music,
durbars on horseback, camels from the far Sahara,
and exotic tribal dances. It's an unending
kaleidoscope of colorful regalia, fun activities,
parade floats, tribal masks and costumes unique to
the various states. Born in 1976, I am considered a
model city for all of Africa, and one of the
world's handful of totally planned
cities. "Originallly from
France, I have lived and taught school in Abuja for
five years, and appreciate the easy going lifestyle
and friendliness of the peope. Here, we enjoy a
comfortable year round climate and really
appreciate the absence of mosquitoes and similar
insect pests. It's good to know that this city is
virtually malaria free." " I was very
impressed by the recent renovations that were being
made at Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport and was
pleased to learn that the Nigerian government was
really serious about improving the infrastructure
of its airports for incoming tourists and business
people." " Located
approximately one hour by air from Lagos, Abuja has
excellent conference and accommodation facilities."
"Throughout Abuja
there is much construction going on and the people
truly exhibit an excitement about living in what is
perhaps the most modern city in Africa." "We were quite
surprised at the relative ease in our processing
through immigration and customs. Much to our
pleasure, we were told that both the Ministry of
Aviation and the Ministry of Tourism have done an
excellent job in alleviating the extreme
bottlenecks that travelers were accustomed to
experience upon arriving in Nigeria. " Referring to the
unique nature of the carnival, Obasanjo said that
it is to ensure that the amount of time and money
people would have spent travelling round the
country to see her beauty and people had been
reduced and brought to one spot in a holistic
manner. "We have come together, all as Nigerians,
in one spot; we have brought together what will
take anybody who has to go over Nigeria days and
even months in a space of few days.'' T With nothing short
of joy and excitement, the President said the
carnival is to be entrenched as a yearly
celebration that would give people room to explore
Nigeria. "You are all welcome to a splendid view,
splendid feel, a splendid taste of what is Nigeria.
It is with great pleasure and joy and satisfaction
that I formally open this year's Abuja carnival to
the glory of God and mankind," he
declared. Editor's
note: We have interviewed many indiviiduals and
government officials during our stay in Abuja,
before, during and following the Abuja Carnival.
This will be part of a special edition of Africa
Travel Magazine and Air Highways to
Africa. |
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I
am proud of my posiiton as a magnet for world class
meetings and events. For example I just finished
receiving visiotrs from over 60 countries,
including heads of state, at the Africa- Latin
America Summit. You should have seen the pomp and
ceremony at the Hilton that week. Here are some
current comments about my lifestyle and attractions
from a variety of U.S. visitors and residents from
other countries:
"
Your exciting
Abuja Carnival rivals those in Rio de Janeiro,
Brazil and Mardis Gras in New Orleans - and this
was only the seocnd year. Many say, Latin America's
carnivals and music originated here in
Nigeria."
Excerpts
from The Guardian (Nigeria) by Andrew Iro Okungbowa
and Stella Agbala "Here
in this country where we have well over 350 ethnic
and linguistic groups, diversity of culture,
diversity of language, diversity of foods, and
unity in diversity. We owe it a duty to ourselves,
the rest of Africans and to African in Diaspora to
showcase what is authentically Africa and what is
authentically ours." President Obasnanjo/ Obasanjo
was flanked by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs,
Professor Joy Ogwu; Culture and Tourism, Professor
Babalola Borishade; and the Chairman of the Abuja
Carnival, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, among others, He
said: "In the next four days, you will see the
different forms of art, dances, different aspects
of our way of life, boat regatta, masquerades, that
would be breath-taking in one spot."