Cross River State governor, Prof Ben Ayade has assured residents and visitors alike of a bigger carnival this year. He gave the assurance at the Millennium Park in Calabar while flagging off the last carnival dry run to herald the main carnival which is slated for December 28.
Calling on the people of the state to open their hearts and doors to receive tourists who will be trooping into the state for this year’s Carnival Calabar, Ayade, who was represented by the Speaker, Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt Hon John Gaul Lebo, said; “The event which has become part and parcel of our state will be bigger and richer in content this year. So we must continue to exhibit the hospitality nature we are known for in receiving visitors.”
He expressed optimism that the current economic recession in the country will have a positive effect on this year’s Carnival.
“Cross River State will experience massive turnout of visitors to watch and participate in the biggest street party in Africa as it will be free, interesting, bigger and bolder,” he added.
The governor lauded the various carnival bands for their active and brilliant participation in the dry run and urged them to maintain the tempo.
Earlier, Chairman Cross River State Carnival Commission, Mr. Gabe Onah, disclosed that the event was tagged “dry run of celebrities” as some members of the Nollywood family were in the state to participate in the event prior to the 4th edition of the Cross River movie awards.”
Onah also said that,” this is the last dry run after two successful hosting; hence we expect a great show on December 28.”
The event saw revelers dancing in their beautiful costumes along the 12km carnival route.
Tag: calabar carnival
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Ayade assures of bigger Calabar Carnival
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All set for ‘largest Africa street party’
The `Calabar Municipal Garden’ which will serve as the 2016 Calabar Carnival village, has been inaugurated by Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River on Thursday.
Ayade said that the village was chosen because it was central and accessible to residents and tourists.
The governor said the village would serve as the venue for funfair and market for Christmas shopping.
He said that adequate security measures had been taken to safeguard tourists and fun seekers at the village.
The governor said that this year’s carnival would be used to highlight the issues of climate change.
“It is to the glory of God that we have witnessed the first and second dry run of the 2016 Calabar carnival.
“I wish to declare the 2016 Calabar carnival village open to all. The 2016 carnival will be better and bigger.
“We have put in place more innovations that would meet the taste of our esteemed tourists.
“I wish to assure all those coming in for the carnival of adequate security.
“Calabar carnival is the largest street party in Africa. It is time for the world to visit Calabar again for that fun fair.
“Calabar carnival is 12 years; the festival had continued to grow from strength to strength.
“We are happy because it had also promoted unity and created strong relationships between the state and the international community,” Ayade said.
The carnival which starts on dec 1, has already major roundabouts along the carnival routes been decorated with sparkling colours, while shops and buildings are being painted with blue and white to reflect the state colours.
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Passion 4 wins Calabar Carnival competition
It was celebration all the way for Passion 4 Band, as it clinched the first position in the ongoing Calabar Carnival in Calabar, Cross River State.
The competition which began with a 12-kilometre dance parade, was declared opened by the State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade. It was wrapped up at the U.J Esuene Sports Stadium, where the final assessments were taken by the judges.
This year’s edition of the Carnival marked the 11th edition of the Carnival Calabar and Festival, and the first to be organised by the incumbent administration.
Touted as Africa’s biggest street party, the event exuded its usual seductive ambience of glitz and glamour as revelers turned out in large numbers to witness the tourism event.
All the traditional five competing bands delivered great performances at the event, but the tiara was adjudged to fit Passion-4 better. Seagull came second while MastaBlasta came third. The two other bands; Bayside and Freedom bands scored the lowest votes from the judges.
The event was not only the gathering of beauty queens drawn from across Nigeria’s pageant industry, it also attracted popular Nollywood acts including Patience Ozokwor; KenethOkwonkwo; Shan George; Joseph Benjamin among others who hit the streets of Calabar in style
Governor Ayade during the flag off ceremony noted that the idea of using beauty queens to constitute his band came from his wife, Dr. Lydia Ayade adding that she has keen interest for beautiful young girls and hopes to take some of them overseas to actualize their various dreams.
This year’s carnival, with the theme ‘Climate Change’ went a step further registering performances from 11 countries, including Brazil, Kenya, Spain, Rwanda.
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Awesome photos from Calabar Carnival
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Funfare as Calabar Carnival kicks off
Within the last week, the popular Festival Calabar and Carnival has swelled yuletide activities in Calabar, capital of Cross River State. The event went a notch higher Monday, when the State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade flagged off the Carnival Parade, a competitive arm of the festival, parading the traditional five bands – Freedom Band, Bayside Band, Passion4 Band, Seagul Band and Master Blasta Band.
Ayade, who led the parade with his newly-formed Governor’s Band, showed so much excitement as he cut the tape that signalled the commencement of the 12-kilometre dance parade.
The Governor ‘s Band, comprising of about 100 beauty queens is, according to the Governor, the idea of his wife, Dr. Lydia Ayade.He noted that his wife has keen interest for beautiful young girls and may take a few of them overseas to actualize their dreams.
He reiterated his commitment to the annual event, with emphasis on the new offerings he is adding to the tourism show.
Unlike before, Ayade whose first festival it is as a governor, praised his team for expanding participation with international bands from 11 countries whose competition holds today.
On Sunday, the festival played host to over 1000 power bikers drawn from Nigeria, China, Canada, Australia Germany, the US, Philippines, Togo, Ghana and Benin Republic, in the maiden edition of Calabar Bikers’ Parade.
Led by the governor, the 12 kilometre ride saw bikers performing different types of stunts to the admiration of ecstatic crowd that lined up along the carnival route. According to Ayade, the power bike idea has no doubt increased commercial activities in the city.
He said: “We need to encourage tourists that have the capacity to spend. So the bikers’ parade creates a platform for those who have the wealth to buy expensive classic bikes like the ones on parade today.”
Revellers await the grand finale, when the winning band will be declared, following each group’s creative interpretation of the theme.
Among the celebrities that added verve to the event are Patience Ozokwor, Keneth Okonkwo, Francis Otega, Eucharia Anunobi and Nyanya. The event also had in attendance the deputy governor, Prof. Ivara Esu, Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, John Gaul Lebo and former governor of the state, Mr. Donald Duke, among others.
The immediate past Commissioner for Information, Chief Akin Ricketts, a biker himself, described the new offering as the brainchild of Ayade geared towards creating value for the festival.
Ricketts said,” This is a new offering that has put a verve on Calabar Festival. Bikers are drawn from all over the world.”
One of Nigeria’s ace movie actors and a biker, Mr Sam Dede, described the event as a convergence of happy people in unity and that in future it will be more popular than Carnival Calabar.
As richly-costumed girls led each group, accompanied by music-blasting trucks and acrobatic dancers, revellers lined the Carnival routes, cheering up the participants.
Masquerades, celebrities, notable disc jockeys and exquisite floats offered side attractions.
Interestingly, all the floats were crafted of various designs depicting the Carnival theme which is ‘Climate Change’.
As at Monday, more foreign contingents continued totroop into the state.Among the foreign countries received at the Margaret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar, were contingents from Zimbabwe, Italy and Kenya.
Leader of Historical Group of Flag Twirlers of Colinado-Italy, Mr. Vincenzo Orlandini, said that although it was their first time in Carnival Calabar, they hope to win the admiration of watchers so as to make the list of invited bands for next year.
“When we perform, we will be loved by CrossRiverians and indeed Nigerians and we hope to make the list of invited guests next year,” he said.
On his part, leader of Bomas of Kenya, Mr. Julius Nyamu Makindu, hinted that they are aerobicstraditional dancers from different ethnic groups in Kenya and are glad to be part of Carnival Calabar for the first time.
“We hope to perform in the way we have been performing in other countries so as to attract more touristsinto Kenya”.
Both groups took time to dance to the rhythm of the Cross River State Steel Band at the airport arrival hall, amidst the chanting of ‘Carnival Calabar! Carnival Calabar!!
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Calabar Carnival is the largest street party in Africa – Ayade
Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River, has described the annual Calabar Carnival as the “largest street party in Africa.’’
The governor, who made the remark on Monday in Calabar at the grand finale of the 2015 carnival, noted that the festival is unique in promoting talents and unity among Nigerians.
Ayade pointed out that apart from promoting talents and creativity, the carnival had united the people of Cross River and other Nigerians.
“We are celebrating 11 years of the carnival; the greatest street party ever; the greatest show in West Africa, this is just the beginning.
“This is my first carnival as governor of the state. We will continue to add new innovations to make it colourful in the years ahead,’’ he assured.
He said that the theme for this year’s carnival is “climate change,’’ adding that the hospitality of the state had continued to attract tourists from across the world.
The governor commended the efforts of people of the state and the participants for making the 2015 carnival a success.
Earlier in his remarks, Mr Gabriel Onah, Chairman, Calabar Carnival Commission, disclosed that nine countries participated in the carnival.
He listed the countries to include: Spain, France, Italy, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Burundi, Ghana and Brazil.
Onah said that the carnival had continued to produce commercial content into the state.
“Tourism is indeed our own oil. We will use tourism to market the state to the world.
“The attention of the world is focused on Calabar today, as you can see, the state is wearing a new look,’’ he said.
A spectator, Mr Philip Ita, who described the carnival as a street party that unites the people, commended the government for sustaining it for the past 11 years.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 12 kilometers carnival walk commenced from Mary Slessor road, IBB way, Marian road, MCC way, Calabar highway and terminated at the U.J Esuene stadium.
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Trade booms as Calabar carnival reaches climax
The residents of Calabar have cashed in on the final day of Carnival Calabar to make brisk businesses, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
NAN survey in parts of the city shows that residents have converted all available spaces along the Carnival routes to business arena displaying various items.
Canopies and chairs were also set up by individuals and groups on the streets along the carnival routes where tourists and fun seekers pay a token to relax and watch the events.
Mr. Sunday Akpan told NAN that he set up his business as early as 7 a.m., adding that people had been patronising him since then not minding that it was still early in the day.
Sunday, who came all the way from Akwa-Ibom, said he had been participating in the Carnival Calabar since 2013, adding that he had made some good sales.
“I cannot tell you how much I have made this morning but I have made good money, especially from dry gin and cigarettes,’’ he said.
A food vendor, Mrs. Uloma Ezike, said that she came out as early as 6 a.m. with her food and had been selling since then.
“I am about to go and cook another one because this one has almost finished. Normally on a carnival day, I cook three or four times because the food must be hot all the time.
“I have so many customers who used to come to eat. Some buy take-away and others eat here,’’ she said.
A tourist from Edo, Mr. Nelson Ighodalo, told NAN that he was enjoying everything about the carnival.
“Honestly I am enjoying the whole thing, especially looking at the setting; people moving around enjoying themselves; relaxing, dining and wining in the open this early.
“In fact everything here is fun,’’ he said.
NAN reports that there were presence of security personnel and other para-military at strategic locations along the routes getting ready to maintain law and order as well as ensure orderliness by the crowd.
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501 power bikes for Calabar Carnival
If you are a lover of extreme sport or power bike riding, then the place to be this season is Calabar, where over 500 power bikers from around the world would strut their stuff in the ancient city on December 27.
The bikers’ show which is one of the new offerings to the festival calendar by Governor Ben Ayade, is drawing bikers across the country and neighbouring countries such as Ghana, Togo and Benin Republic.
According to the event organisers, route to be covered by the bikers is Mary Slessor to Effio-Ette Junction.
The bikers are expected to thrill revellers with various stunt and displays. There will also be competition among the bikers for various categories such as the Most Beautiful Bike, the Loudest Bike, Biker Queen of the Year and Young Biker of the Year.
There will also be slalom and slow bike and Angels biker wash.
Some of the bikers’ clubs taking part in the competition, which would be broadcast live on DSTV include the home club, Tinapa MC, D’Angels, an all-female riders club from Lagos, Motto X, Benin; HardRidaz of Port Harcourt, stalwart MC, Warri, Steel Knights MC, Lagos, Bikers Den MC, Lagos; Easy Riders MC, Lagos, Wheelers MC, Lagos, GoodFellaz MC, Lagos and Millennial MC, Uyo.
Others are Rock City MC, Abeokuta, A41 MC, Abuja, Ogoja’s MC, Jos, Infinity Riders MC, Kaduna and capital MC, Abuja.
Clubs coming from outside the country are: Teranga Riders club Dakar, Senegal; Lome Ngeles, Lome, Togo SMC-Sotouboua Motors club, Benin Republic; Association des Motards, Togolaise, Togo, Hotwheels, Ghana and Bikers GH also from Ghana.
Governor Ayade, while introducing the bikers’ competition, said: “The idea, essentially, is to bring in new content to the carnival and attract more tourists to the annual fiesta. This is in addition to many other additions we are introducing to the carnival.”
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Brazilian band, others return for Calabar Carnival
As preparations for this year’s edition of Carnival Calabar and Festival enters top gear, organizers have reavealed that the popular carnival band in Brazil, the Vai Vai Samba will return after its 2012 sensational appearance in Calabar.
Also billed to be in the Nigeria’s leading tourism event is the Flamenco of Spain band, a group that parades a bevy of Spanish beauties for the spotlight.
The bands will be slugging it out with several others, as part of the International Carnival Band competition introduced into the carnival calendar by Governor Ben Ayade.
Also in the list is Italy, the Land of the Azurris, which will also take part in the carnival. The Italians will be represented by the impressive and exciting Flag Twirlers.
There is also the Circus Oasis of France and the Carnival Troupe of Belize from Europe.
From Asia, the Henan Province of China will put up a show at the Carnival. To achieve this, it is sending its acrobatic band to the Carnival.
The Drumming Wonders of Burundi, the Urukerereza of Rwanda as well as carnival bands from Ghana, Zimbabwe and Kenya will lead the charge from Africa.
Governor Ayade had while unveiling the 2015 Carnival Calabar theme in Lagos recently promised to introduce new events into the carnival calender to add more flavour to it.
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Okhma wins marketing rights for Calabar Carnival
After a series of presentations by several marketing companies seeking to handle The Calabar Carnival account, the Cross River State Carnival Commission, the agency responsible for overseeing the annual event have announced Okhma Global Limited – a marketing consulting firm based in Lagos as the Lead Marketing company for the carnival.
Their responsibilities include increasing the fund drive by more than eighty percent of revenue accruable from marketing and also provide Marketing and PR Consultancy/advisory, strategy implementation, Media Content creation, production, Advertising and Sponsorship/partnership acquisitions.
Calabar Carnival festival in Nigeria, also tagged: “Africa’s Biggest Street Party”, was created as part of the vision of making Cross River State in Nigeria, the number one tourist destination for Nigerians and tourist all over the world.
The carnival, which begins on every December 1 and last till December 31, has boosted the cultural mosaic of Nigeria people while entertaining the millions of spectators within and outside the State, and boosting industry for all stakeholders.
This year marks the eleventh edition of the multi event carnival that has garnered the reputation and multiple awards of Nigeria’s biggest and best-organised tourism event. The 2015’s coincides with the commencement of the new administration of Governor Ben Ayade, who said: “The Carnival is a big brand not only in Nigeria. My biggest wish now is to make it even much bigger. I would like to see the Calabar carnival evoke same depth and passion as the Rio carnival in the international tourism market. We promised our people of our state economic transformation. It will gladden our hearts to have tourists visit our state and witness the good things happening here while they also take time to bask in the abundance of our offerings at the carnival. And that we will surely do.”
The Managing Director of Okhma, Mary Ephraim, however, promised the commission that her marketing team would exceed their expectations.
“For me, leading the marketing effort isn’t business. It represents an opportunity for me to contribute my professional bit to improving an event and culture I had been part of as a young girl growing up in Calabar. This is something I had always wanted to do. We are grateful to the commission for the opportunity”.
