Tag: Calabar Cultural Carnival

Cultural troupes from Ghana, Cameroon and 15 states in Nigeria were among those that shone at the 2023 Calabar Cultural Carnival on Wednesday, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

The event, which witnessed cultural performances from the 18 local governments of Cross River, had different cultural groups in colourful cultural attires.

Declaring the event open, the Deputy Governor, Mr Peter Odey, said it was “one of its kind as it is happening in the season of sweetness.”

Mr Gabe Onah, chairman, Cross River Carnival Commission, said of the 22 states that expressed interest, 15 had arrived at the time of the launch of the cultural carnival.

Onah listed states that were on ground to include Enugu, Kebbi, Edo, Rivers, Kaduna, Kwara, Yobe, Ondo, Ekiti and Akwa Ibom.

“Today marks the bedrock of our tomorrow. Culture is what unites us. It is our true strength. We are live with over 15 million viewers on DSTV and other platforms.”

In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), however, the leader of the Akwa Ibom contingent, Ms Abigail Akpakip, said the attendance was “a bit low due to the economic situation in the nation.”

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While praising the government of Cross River for a good organisation, Akpakip said the few states that were in attendance were passionate about showcasing their cultural heritage.

Also, Mr Haruna Abu, leader of the cultural troupe from Ondo State, said the carnival was an improvement from what they saw in the previous years.

He added that they were okay with the logistics and accommodation for the troupes

NAN reports that the performing states and local governments were judged at different adjudication points on the carnival route.

The criteria for determining the best performing states included the costume, dance, use of time and presentation of the theme.

Prizes are to be awarded to the best three states and local governments.

Governor Bassey Otu yesterday launched street party of the 2023 edition of Carnival Calabar, with the theme: “Season of Sweetness”.

Otu, during the ceremony held at the Millennium Park in Calabar, said this was a fulfilment of one of his campaign promises to bring back the carnival on a bigger platform.

He thanked the direct organiser of the carnival for a job well done, considering the level of organisation.

Dr Gabe Onah, chairman of the state’s carnival commission, appreciated the support enjoyed from Governor Otu, as he described him as an epitome of humanity.

Fifteen-state cultural contingents, including Cameroon community in Calabar, participated in the 2023 Calabar Cultural Carnival.

Among the participating states were Enugu, Kebbi, Edo, Rivers, Ekiti, Akwa Ibom, Ondo, Kaduna, Ebonyi, Kwara and Yobe, including 18 local government areas of the state.

Also, an estimated 50 million online viewers across 54 nations were reported to be relaxing to the four kilometres carnival routes fun.

The cultural carnival is one of the activities lined up for the Christmas festivities in the state.

Speaking while launching the festival, Peter Odey, the deputy governor, said the festival shows the state is ready to host the world for the main Carnival Calabar on December 28.

He said there has been improved security, adding that this year’s celebration is going to be one of the best carnivals witnessed in the state.

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“I’m honoured to launch another beautiful show put together by the carnival commission.

“This shows we are ready to host the world in Calabar.

“Today we will be displaying our culture and it’s going to be one of the best carnivals we have witnessed in the state,” he said.

The Chairman of Cross River Carnival Commission, Gab Onah, said of the 22 states they were expecting, “15 are already here alongside the 18 local government areas of the state, as well as the Cameroon community in the state.” 

Besides this, he said the Igbo and Hausa communities are on the route to showcase their culture.

He said: “Culture is the bedrock of our tomorrow and it underscores why a dedicated day has been identified for it.”

Onah described culture as one of those things “that have united us in the country. Our strength is in our diversity.”

Visitors battle for hotel space

Visitors trooping to Cross River State for the 2023 annual Calabar carnival are battling to find hotel space in the capital city, reports the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

NAN reports that the 20th edition of the annual carnival, which began on December 1, has lived up to its billing in spite of the security challenges in the capital city.

Several activities have been lined up for each day of the 31-day carnival with December 28 slated for the main carnival tagged: “Carnival Calabar”.

Some of the visitors who came into the city on Monday described their experience in scouting for hotel space as terrible.

The visitors who spoke with NAN said they were almost giving up in search for one when they secured one on the outskirts of the city.

The respondents said though difficult and expensive, they had to make do with what they got.

One of the visitors, Adams Adah, said: “We thought it will be easy when we came in, but we were made to understand that bookings were made earlier by several of those who planned to come for the carnival.

“We moved about for hours before we could secure the one when eventually got last night.”

In the same vein, Mama Obi, who said she is from the state, but lives in Lagos, attributed the difficulty to influx of visitors for the carnival.

She said for lack of space, many of the hotels had adjusted their rates.

“As I speak with you, there is no longer any hotel space in the heart of Calabar Municipality. If you are lucky, you can get one around Atimbo, Ikorishi, 8mile or in Calabar South,” she said.

Another visitor, who identified himself as Dan, said he came in on Tuesday morning from Port Harcourt with friends, but settled for an apartment he had secured over two weeks ago.

According to him, “I actually came with some friends for the carnival, but couldn’t get another space for them in the same apartment as it was fully booked.

“We all had to manage the one I had secured for wants of space. We were told we would not find any, even normal hotel space except on the outskirts.”

The Chairman, Carnival Commission, Mr Gabe Onah, said 15 million viewers across the globe are expected to watch the main event live on DSTV on December 28.

NAN reports that the state had declared 14-day public holiday for civil servants, to enable them participate in the carnival.