by Emmanuel Okubenji

Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, the Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) on Wednesday said it would constitute a National Committee on Festivals to streamline all festivals in the country.

Runsewe said in Abuja that the committee would be mandated to monitor festivals in states and create a comprehensive national tourism calendar.

“We are going to synergise, bring together and see which festival should come at different times so that we don’t over bear the system. We cannot have too many festivals at the same time. Very soon we are going to have a National Committee on Festivals across the country and the committee will be domiciled in my office.

“If a tourist comes into Nigeria now, the person will have to think of how he or she will be in 20 places because most of these festivals happen at the same time, this is not done anywhere in the world. The Notting Hill Carnival only take place in London at a particular time, the Brazilian Carnival only once in Brazil, Trinidad and Tobago Carnival is only one. We too are now promoting this same spirit,” he said.

Runsewe said that the committee would ensure that all festivals were arranged to avoid clashes and be comfortable to tourist.

He said that the corporation would strongly support the Calabar Carnival as a strong tourism product and a flagship for Nigeria tourism development.