THE Executive Secretary/CEO, National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Otunba Biodun Ajiboye has described the total concept of Rio de Janeiro Carnival as one that is predicated on Yoruba culture, which he said if properly harnessed and rejuvenated, could generate huge revenue for Nigeria in the same manner the Rio Carnival attracts revenue for Brazil, according to a statement by the Media Assistant to Executive Secretary of NICO Caleb Nor.
Otunba Ajiboye, who is on a working visit to Brazil, made this known while reacting to the consideration of organisers of Rio de Janeiro Carnival to replicate a fraction of the annual Rio Carnival in Nigeria during the forthcoming World Orisha Congress (WOOCON).
According to Ajiboye, the predication of the Rio Carnival on Yoruba Orisha culture and myth attracts about seven million visitors across the world with an annual revenue generation of over USD$10 billion which is about half of Nigeria’s total budget.
He further disclosed that the Rio Carnival employs an average of 4,000 workers every year, which he said remains a viable vocation that guarantees huge foreign exchange for Brazil.
In his words, “This culture emanated from Yorubaland of South-Western Nigeria but the people could not appreciate the culture due to the incursion of foreign religions. While Nigeria failed to harness this culture towards generating revenue from it, the Brazilians took it and packaged it to realize huge revenue from the same culture we neglected.
“Today, the city of Rio de Janeiro has a complete complex where every year they work in that complex to think of ideas that will form the basis for the next edition. We discussed the concept of our World Orisha Congress (WOOCON) with them and they have agreed to replicate a fraction of what goes on in Rio de Janeiro Carnival at the WOOCON City during our event here in Nigeria.”
While disclosing that efforts are ongoing to organize a congress that would attract the interest of participants and ensure they enjoy a fraction of what goes on at the Rio Carnival, the NICO helmsman regretted that the stone the builders rejected has suddenly become the cornerstone of another city.
The mythology of Yoruba Orisha and its operation are usually traced during the Brazilian cultural showpiece where each Orisha’s origin story is narrated daily with a drama sketch in the form of storytelling.