There was a heavy presence of security personnel at the Old Parade Ground, Abuja on Saturday as the 2013 edition of Abuja Carnival takes off.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that there was a beehive of activities at the venue in preparation to the formal opening of the carnival.
The carnival tagged: “The Centenary Carnival” is part of the prelude to Nigeria’s centenary celebration in 2014.
Security personnel present at the venue include the army, the Nigeria Police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, all were patrolling the parade ground.
The officers of Federal Road Safety Commission and Vehicle Inspection Office were on hand to control human and vehicular movements.
A security officer, who craved anonymity, said that the heavy presence of security agencies was to forestall any possible breach of law and order.
He said that the security agencies were being proactive to nip in the bud any possible security threat to the success of the carnival.
Capt. John Evans, Officer in Charge of the Band, Guards Brigade said that his men were on hand to provide music for the carnival.
He expressed optimism that the 2013 carnival would be more entertaining than the previous editions because of efforts put into its organisation.
A National Youths Service Corps member, Mr Kenechukwu Ugwu, said that the carnival was also in furtherance of the objective of the NYSC, “which is to unite the country’’.
This is another avenue to bring our culture together as a country with differs cultural backgrounds to showcase the unity of Nigeria.
“I am proud to be a Nigerian with what I am seeing in the carnival,’’ he told NAN.
NAN reports that this is the first time the NYSC will be participating in the yearly carnival.
Mr Abasiono Akpan, a member of the Akwa Ibom contingent told NAN that with such festivals, she now had a clearer picture of Nigeria’s cultural diversity.
Mr Taibu Surwa, from Yobe said that although this was his first time of participating, he was filled with joy for being part of the show.
“I have never seen different cultures such as this, and I am happy being a Nigerian based on what have seen so far,’’ he said.
NAN also reports that traders at the venue of the carnival are making brisk business as contingents from different parts of the country were patronising them. (NAN)