The 2016 Abuja Carnival began on Saturday with a street procession by participants from about 15 states of the federation.
The procession took off from the Old Parade Ground through some designated routes to Area One Roundabout and a final stop at the Eagle Square.
The participants were adorned in beautiful costumes made from beautiful fabrics, shades and colours to behold.
The different states had their rich cultural heritage on display, depicting what they were best known for.
Most of the states had floats mounted on articulated trucks beautifully decorated with various inscriptions.
Security agencies, comprising the police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and Vehicle Inspection Officers were on ground to maintain law and order.
There were also ambulances on ground to handle any emergency that could occur during the event.
Some of the participating states include Gombe, Bayelsa, Yobe, Kogi, Jigawa, Sokoto, Delta, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Imo, Ogun, Adamawa and Katsina.
The carnival continues tomorrow with Children Fiesta (Children from the states and the FCT), Durbar, food fair/food bar and cultural night.
Meanwhile, food vendors and other traders at the Abuja carnival are taking advantage of the event to make brisk business as they are recording increased sales.
The traders urged the government to make the carnival more regular.
Some of them said they were happy at the level of patronage they were getting.
Chinyere Udoka, a food vendor at the Eagle Square said she had made more sales, adding that she had already exhausted the first round of food she came with and was preparing another one.
“It is a good thing that the carnival is here, because it has provided me the opportunity to make more money.
“I came out here around 10 a.m with food to sell, but I have finished selling the one I came out with and I am presently preparing another one because people are still coming.
“The government should know that anytime there are events like this, it is an opportunity to add more money to the pockets of sellers around.
“The carnival should be a regular event, because it also contributes to improving the economy of the country,” she said.
Mahmud Aliyu, a fabric seller said during the previous carnivals, it created an avenue for him to sell more fabrics.
According to Aliyu, the carnival is always done around the festive period and it is easier for people to buy fabrics for the season.
“Christmas and small Salah is in the next few weeks and it is a good opportunity for people coming around to buy things they will wear during the festive period.
“Since morning, people have been coming to purchase fabrics because they will even get it at a cheaper rate than in the market.
“The carnival should be done at least twice in a year to help business people like us.
“When it is done often, more people will be interested and the government will benefit too,” Aliyu said.
NAN