If the news conference organised by the
Sigma Club to announce the return of
Havana Carnival is anything to go by, then
participants should look forward to a
fulfilling time at the event which holds
between April 7 and 23 at the University of
Ibadan.
It was difficult to keep a straight face at the
event as comedian, Gbenga Adeyinka 1, the
compere and who would act in the same
capacity at the carnival, dug into his
humour bag and dished out rib cracking
jokes.
Havana Carnival, which came into existence
in 1955, has been off the scene for 12
years. An old Sigmite and Vice President/
Head of Consumer Sales, FCMB, Mr. Lamidi
Olatunji, explained that both the economy
and the crises in Nigeria's tertiary
institutions made them to yank off the
carnival from the club's activities for so
long.
However, concerted efforts by stakeholders
including the Sigma Foundation - an
institution of Sigma Club - and sponsors
including the telecommunications company,
MTN, Afribank Nigeria, FCMB, and others
have seen to the return of the carnival.
"Havana Carnival is back for better. It is back
to stay," the Sigma Chief, Mr. Laolu Banjoko,
declared at the event.
The President, Federation of African
Nutrition Societies who is also the President
of Sigma Foundation, Prof. Tola Atinmo, said
that the music carnival which went off the
scene due to logistic reasons was instituted
for both charity and entertainment
purposes.
"Havana Carnival has over the years,
become the biggest musical carnival in any
Nigeria campus. The carnival has been in
existence since 1955 and it is the oldest
event of such pedigree in the history of
Nigerian tertiary institution. It is aimed at
inspiring the youth positively and giving
back to the society. Also, it comes with
inculcating into the youth, the values of
discipline, courage, care and unity," he said.
According to the organisers, artistes
including Seun Kuti, Alabi Pasuma, Eedris
Abdulkareem, Da Grin, DJ Zeez, Jaywon, Little
H, Kenny St. Brown, DJ Vinny, Wande Cole,
Freewindz, Iyanya, Femi Kuti, Genilia, Kayefi
and many others are billed to entertain
participants at the carnival.
However, the carnival, which is being
marketed by ZMC Marketing and
Communications, will not be an all music
affair as there will be a mentoring and
interactive session to be hosted by the Vice-
Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof. Olu
Bamiro on April 7.
The Group Managing Director, Afribank Plc,
Mr. Nebolisah Arah; Human Resources
Director, Nigerian Breweries, Mr. Victor
Famuyibo; Chief Marketing Officer, MTN
Nigeria, Mr. Bola Akingbade; Vice President,
Actors Guild of Nigeria, Lillian Amah;
Chairman, Wemabod Estate, Dr. Kunle Olajide;
and Prof. Atinmo will serve as panelists.
Other events include the Walk/work for Life
- where students will not only help in
cleaning drains and painting old buildings,
but will also help in creating awareness on
climate change and planting of trees.
The highpoint of the event - the Havana
Carnival Concert and Miss Havana pageant
will hold on April 23 at the Trans-
Amusement Park, Agbowo-Bodija, Ibadan.
Senior Manager, Youth Segment/Consumer
Market, MTN, Mrs. Sherry Eromosele, said
that her nine year old company is
partnering the Sigma Club to resuscitate the
carnival in order to "give back to the
society. We saw Havana Carnival as a means
to reach out to the youth segment of the
society," she said.
According to the Corporate Affairs Manager,
Afribank Plc., Mr. Moshood Isamotu, the
bank promotes worthy causes and Havana
Carnival is an avenue to realise the bank's
new vision. "We now have a new focus -
growing and empowering Nigerians," he
said.
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