Eighteen states from Nigeria participated in the Calabar cultural carnival on Thursday, celebrating the region’s rich cultural heritage in line with the tradition of Carnival Calabar.
The eighteen local government areas of Cross River also contributed, donning unique costumes that highlighted their cultural strengths, all while embracing this year’s theme, “Our Shared Prosperity”.
The festivities commenced at Millennium Park in Calabar, where Governor Prince Bassey Otu encouraged participants to take full advantage of the increased prizes for winners as an opportunity to showcase their talents.
“Today is a momentous day on the carnival calendar, and we begin the celebration of our vibrant cultural heritage,” Otu said, warmly welcoming collaborators and stakeholders while anticipating extraordinary presentations.
He assured the audience, “Last year, I promised to enhance our carnival offerings, and I believe we have fulfilled that commitment.”
The governor announced the introduction of improved prizes to boost competition this year, with plans for further enhancements in the following year.
Mr. Gabe Onah, Chairman of the Carnival Commission, noted that the cultural carnival serves as a marketing tool for the state’s tourism, representing the essence of the local culture.
He explained, “Our theme, ‘Our Shared Prosperity,’ reflects the spirit of Cross Riverians, signifying our culture and our innate ability to offer warmth and hospitality.”
Onah stressed that “our culture is the foundation upon which our tourism is built,” emphasising Cross River’s tourism potential aims to foster a sense of community spirit.
Participants showcased their cultural heritage along the carnival routes, stopping at three assessment points to display their talents in line with the theme.
Attendees included representatives from Adamawa, Kogi, Kebbi, Akwa Ibom, Niger, Ebonyi, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa and Osun states, along with the eighteen local government areas of Cross River. The event also saw the presence of National Assembly members, financial institution representatives, state executive council members, and local council chairpersons.
Our reporter gathered that the junior carnival is set for Friday, followed by the main Calabar Carnival on Saturday, which will feature participation from some foreign countries.
