Festac Town Youths: Promoting Carnivals in the Town

Festac Youth: Promoting Carnivals in the Town

Author: Emeka Esogbue

Anyone who has closely followed up the events of Christmas social activities in Festac Town will not fail to appreciate the efforts of the youth of the town who have in no small way annually maintained the organization of what it is usually tagged “Youth carnival” in the town. Youth carnival in the town is one big even that engages the youth and those of other locations who usually come to have fun.

Carnivals in Festac are organized in such a way that Residents who dwell in same communities come up with dates different from those of others in which they wish their carnival take place. Although activities of all the roads and avenues are similar, even with similar audience bracing all the occasions, different performers ranging from high profile Singers/musicians to comedians  are usually in attendance doing what they know how to do best.

Carnivals in Fesatc Town have become one great event that youth from different parts of the country cherish to look forward to on annual basis. It has also become a competitive event in which certain communities of the town hope to outsmart the rest, capitalizing on shortcomings and lapses created by others to seemingly excel thus create the impression that those of certain particular communities are better and safely organized than others.

According to Gladys Onyekwe, a resident of 511 Road in Festac Town, “Any unbiased Festac guy or babe would bet his/her money that no other road has beaten 512 Road as far as carnival in Festac Town is concerned” but Innocent Ohiomoje, popularly called Inu, a resident of 721 Road would on the contrary consider 22 Road to have organized the best carnival anyone has seen ever in Festac Town, this he attributed to 22 Road being the heart of Festac Town and 22 road he says is the beehive of commercial activities in Festac Town.

Other areas who have scored high points in organizing beautiful and well entertaining carnivals are 512 Road, 511 Road, 721 Road, 22 Road and 21 Road, 322 Road. While that of 22 Road is known to pull the crowd at all times, that of 512 Road is reputed to be the most publicly advertised. We can safely place 21 Road to be a carnival that involves majority of the youth of the area concertedly working to towards the actualization of beautiful carnival. I bet that any artiste will like to perform at the carnival of 22 Road anytime he is called upon because the organizers of this carnival always make sure that tranquility is maintained during the carnival. 512 Road performs the best carnivals in Festac Town, 321 Road is the most peaceful. Some carnivals in Festac are known to be violent, scaring away innocent persons who must avoid the carnivals if they would not end up in hospitals.

There is absolutely sense in the postulation of Innocent Ohiomoje as Water Corporation, Nigerian Telecommunication (NITEL,) Nigerian Postal Services (Post Office,) Holy family Catholic Church, Banks, and shopping Malls are located within this community, which places 22 Road at advantage ahead of others. Ifeanyi Nwaukpele, popularly referred to as “Shaba” supports this reasoning. Finance, he says is required for the organization of carnivals and 22 Road has all it takes financially to hold all spell bound with lots of different musicians who perform only when they are paid.

Certain artistes have been known to support throwing their influences behind the acquisition of famous musicians, this is where Black tribe, a duo of musicians comprising Abdumalik and Daniel have particularly become useful to 721 Road Youth Association, Abdu and Dan as they are fondly referred to by teeming fans are high profile musicians and achievers whose image continues to soar. Black tribe have on many occasions not only performed free of charge for the teeming audience of 721 carnival but have also acted as a platform and contact through which several famous Nigerian musicians have performed for 721 Youths.

The only condition the youth of 721 Road require to get a nod from Black tribe is a guarantee that the carnival would be held under a very peaceful atmosphere, serenity is therefore the watchword of the duo musicians. This musical group is a role model for the youth of Festac town.

Means through monies are raised for this purpose has been through levies and freewill donations by residents and commercial firms centered in particular communities of the town. Most times the youths of that very area are seen accosting these residents and commercial centers in highly peaceful and respectable manners and this is appreciated very much indeed as the organizers receive more money than expected.

Typically, the hopes of carnivals expectants are usually put at rest with banners often made to hang at the major entrance of Roads usually with an inscription “5th Avenue Carnival, watch out” This may be followed with another similar banner bearing the inscription “23 Road carnival, 21 December 2008. Watch out” In this way date for carnival event has been unfolded. The dates of carnivals are clashed with one another, which gives every resident ample opportunity to become present in almost all of the carnivals holding in the town if he so chooses and guests may spend personal money purchasing drinks while food is rarely prepared.

Musicians who perform in Festac Town carnivals are invested with unforgettable experiences as they are often thrilled with Festac youth who twist to every of their tunes and sing along, such that performers may be carried away and think himself performing in a “Nigerian Grammy Award’ or even at an MTN show, it is for this reason that Artistes are usually interested in performing for the youth of Festac, and the in Festac Town that has produced great Artistes like 2Face, Faze, Black tribe, Azadus, Black Solo, Deadly Underground, Drastic, Hold Something (formerly known as Hot Ice,) Squeze, Da Attitude, 2 Shot, Gino, Undertaker and the rest of them.

Carnivals in Festac town have come to stay but certainly organizers should learn to conduct participants and audience in peaceful atmosphere, this may be better achieved if security is provided to avoid situations whereby injuries are inflicted on innocent people. Our youth deserve fun!

Article Source: Link

About the Author:

Emeka Esogbue is a Nigerian based. He is a Historian and International Relations graduate and Public/political Analyst.



emekaesogbue