Nigeria Returns To Nottinghill Carnival

Abisoye Fagade, Keke Ogungbe and 'Layinka Oyedeji display proudly Nigerian colours at Nottinghill Carnival 2009

World famous Nottinghill Carnival is set to hold again this year and this time around a group of organisations are hoping to stage a Nigerian corner and float in a grand way to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Nigeria’s independence from British Colonial masters.
This year’s edition of the Nigerian corner is tagged ‘Getting close-up with our motherland’, and according to organisers Sodium Brand Solutions, “It will be a celebration of every good thing Nigeria has to offer”. Sodium is organising the Nigerian corner in conjuction with Primetime Entertainment and Reve Entertainment.
The Nottinghill carnival has continuously taken place since inception in 1965, and has been categorized as the second biggest in the world with two million tourists showing up annually. Every year there are more than 40,000 Nigerians in attendance.
“We are planning a Lagos type concert to celebrate Nigeria at 50 at the Notting hill carnival this year that will showcase Nigerian music and culture to the international world. ’’ Abisoye Fagade Principal Consultant at Sodium Brand Solution disclosed tells NET. ‘It is more remarkable because it is our 50th independence anniversary, and England, where the carnival holds, gave us that independence in 1960′
One of the highlights of this year’s event is the “Nigeria@50 dinner party” expected to celebrate the achievements of outstanding Nigerians in the UK (including Nigerian born international designer Alexander Amosu, musicians like the legendary Tunde Bayewu of the Light house family and Sade Adu, clothier Ade Bakare and talented Nigerian British artist Yinka Shonibare who wowed the world recently when he unveiled his work of art- Nelson’s ship at the Trafalgar square in London.)
In line with Nigeria’s  tradition at the carnival, this year’s event will feature top Nollywood stars and dozens of Nigerian musicians who will serenade the guests will 100 percent home-made music.
Last year’s edition featured the likes of DJ Jimmy JATT, El Dee The Don, Gbenga Adeyinka, Ayo Animashaun, Kenny Ogungbe, Dayo Adeneye, Ayo Shonaiya, Steel, DJ Abass and several others on Adela Street off Kensal road end.
After years of gathering under the auspices of Obalende Suya and R70, an unresolved controversy saw Police cordon off the regular meeting point for Nigerians; so in 2007, there was no meeting point for Nigerian revellers. But it wasn’t for long. Two years later, in 2009, Sodium and Reve got the rights to stage the official  Nigerian corner; in partnership with Primetime Entertainment, Hip TV and others…
‘We plan to keep the flag flying. And we’ll continue on August 31 this year’ Oyedeji says.
Nottinghill carnival is an Afro-Caribbean festival that is held annually in the city of London. This year’s Nigerian corner is organised by Reve Entertainment, Primetime Entertainment and Sodium Brand Solution, and Supported by NET, Kennis TV, BlackHouse Media, Digiprints and Hip TV.