I want to express my profound gratitude to the whole of Idoma nation and indeed people from all walks of life for your various contributions in one way or the other in making the 2017 edition of Idoma International carnival a huge success.
It was a collective and collaborative effort which has shown that the carnival which began in 2013 as a little idea has grown to become a big voice and a rallying point for the whole of Idoma nation especially in the area of cultural renaissance, showcasing and exposing our cultural heritage to the world, youth empowerment, tourism, economic recovery, and indeed a spring board to the much needed peace and unity without which there can
be no meaningful development in a dear land.
I also want to use this rare privilege to encourage our sons and daughters at home and in diaspora and indeed their friends to come home every December, not just to savour the moment but to join hands to move Idomaland forward.
Even though it is very difficult to mention names of individuals and organisations who made the 2017 Idoma International carnival memorable, I am compelled to single out Idoma National Forum led by its president, Bar Amali Adoya Amali and all the members, the cultural troupes from all the nine Local Governments in Idomaland, the chairman of Otukpo Local Government who doubles as the ALGON Chairman in Zone C of Benue State, members of the board of trustees, Hero lager beer who were our major and number one sponsor and others too numerous to mention for want of time and space.
The journey to more memorable and bigger carnival in 2018 has begun and we invite all well meaning sons, daughters, friends of Idomaland, and organisations to join the train as we are open to new ideas and innovations on how to move our land to the next level of development.
What we have started is not just an event or show but a movement that will translate into tangible benefits .
Once again , on behalf of my team from Port Harcourt, Abuja, Otukpo, Lagos and Makurdi, I say THANK YOU.
Dr Edwin Ochai
President/Chairman Board of Trustees
Idoma International Carnival
