The Nation Newspaper

Tag: CALABAR

  • Brazilian carnival band in Calabar

    The Brazilian carnival band has arrived in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, for the Carnival Calabar.

    Known as the Vai Vai Samba Band, the Brazilians thrilled the crowd which gathered at the Margaret Ekpo International Airport to welcome them.

    Speaking through an interpreter, the leader of the band, Thobias Da Vai-vai, described the reception as marvelous, saying Calabar is peaceful.

    He said they were happy to be a part of the carnival.

    Da Vai-vai said the carnival is a practical way of thanking God through joy and party.

    He said they have used the medium as an independent nation to express themselves internationally.

    The Brazilian said they are in Calabar to display Brazilian Samba, which is reputed to be a world-class dancing style.

    DGM of Calabar International Cement Limited COCIC, Adekanye Kemisola, the facilitator of the Brazilian connection, said they were proud to be involved in the tourism programme of the state, which would strengthen the relationship between Brazil and Nigeria.

  • Calabar festival: Masakela, others extol cross river

    The 2012 Calabar Festival got off to an impressive start in the early hours of Saturday with a colourful lighting of the Christmas tree at the Millennium Park, Calabar.

    Led by the Deputy Governor of the state, Mr. Efiok Cobham, the crowd at the venue, which included legendry South African composer and trumpeter, Hugh Masekela, was treated to a full bouquet of fun.

    Masekela, who has performed in the festival four times now, described Cross River State as one of the safest places with peace loving people.

    The musician said he was proud to be part of the celebration which grows talents and allows every community to enjoy life in a free environment.

    The Senior Special Adviser to the President on Ethics and Values, Mrs. Sarah Jibril, described the occasion as a sense of joy and beauty.

    Jibril described the occasion as a wonderful experience which other states should emulate, adding that the cleanliness and orderliness of the state should be sustained because it makes it unique.

    While lighting the Christmas tree, Cobham, who was assisted by his wife, Glory, Speaker of the state house of assembly, Hon. Larry Odey, Makesela, Jibril and representatives of sponsors and development agencies, said the 12- year- old event has grown bigger in scope and volume.

    Cobham maintained that the state government will continue with the festival because it is a celebration of love, hospitality, courage and resilience of the people in the face of challenges.

    The Deputy Governor commended the sponsors for identifying with the festival in different ways and described the lighting ceremony as a tip of the iceberg as the best would come during the other days of the festival.

    Special Adviser Governor’s Office, Mr. Nzan Ogbe described the festival as a great gift which the state has for the nation as one the best ways in its rebranding process.

    Ogbe appealed to the Federal Government to partner the state in the 32- day event which is delightful to the soul.

    The Group Managing Director/ CEO First Bank of Nigeria Plc, Mr. Bisi Onasanya in his address, said as a partner, the mutually beneficial partnership has enabled the bank to return value to a key stakeholder community by improving the social and cultural calendar of the state of the state.

    According to Onasanya, who was represented by Mrs. Nkiru Harry Eze, the bank prides itself on its corporate social responsibility and sponsorship initiative which reflect its commitment to being a major contributor to the socio-economic and cultural development of the country.

    Later in the morning, the Deputy Governor, Mr. Efiok Cobham also led a four kilometer Paradise City Walk against HIV/AIDS as the state marks the 2012 World AIDS DAY as well as the opening of the Calabar festival village at the Cultural Centre ground.

    Cobham disclosed that over the years the state has made tremendous efforts to combat HIV/AIDS scourge and the reduction which has been noticed is due to the effort in partnership with State Action Against AIDS (SACA) and the development partners.

     

  • Petrol sells for N250 in Calabar

    FOR most residents of Calabar, the Cross River State capital, these are hard times following the petrol scarcity that has hit the city.

    Few stations that have the product sell it for as high as N220 to N250 per litre, yet consumers scramble for it.

    Brawls among buyers are common incidences at the filling stations that have the products available, as black market operators sell for as high as N300 per litre.

    Chairman, Cross River State Petrol Tankers’ Association, Mr. Abdullahi Akomaye, said the situation was created by the strike embarked on by his association.

    He, however, said following the calling off of the strike yesterday, the city will be flooded with the product in the shortest possible time.

     

  • Calabar Stadium wears new look for Eaglets

    The government of Cross River State is pulling all the stops to ensure that the Golden Eaglets’ last 2013 African U-17 qualifier home game against Mali on Sunday would be in a blaze of glory and fanfare as the U.J. Esuene Stadium is now undergoing redecoration.

    General painting of the 10,000-capacity stadium started on Monday and would expectedly be completed before Sunday’s crunch game between Nigeria and Mali.

    The stadium’s manager, Koko Bassey-Omara informed that the Golden Eaglets’ game against Mali would not have come at a better time than ahead of the huge annual Calabar Carnival.

    “The renovation at the U.J. Esuene stadium would serve dual purposes for the Golden Eaglets’ last game against Mali on Sunday and importantly our biggest annual festival, the Calabar Carnival,” he said. “We have really enjoyed the Golden Eaglets here and it is a pleasant coincidence that the team’s last game is coming just before the start of the 2012 Calabar Carnival.”

    It was learnt that the His Excellency Senator Liyel Imoke has spared little in ensuring that the U.J. Esuene stadium is at its posh best for the two forthcoming big events.

    ” Frankly, the governor doesn’t joke with beautification of Calabar and I think it is only fitting that the Golden Eaglets that have been here for this long would see the stadium at its colourful best which is usually the case for the Calabar Carnival,”he added.

    Meanwhile, the Golden Eaglets’ build-up towards Sunday’s game is in top gear as the team finetunes its preparation inside the main pitch of the stadium.

    “Our schedule is going well and we now train daily inside the stadium,”informed coach Garba Manu (MFR). “We have few days to the match against Mali and we don’t want to overstretch the players.”

  • Gunmen kidnap woman in Calabar

    •Demand N50m ransom

     

    A housewife, Mrs. Ime Abasi, has been kidnapped in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.

    This is coming barely three days after two children, who were abducted by gunmen, were released.

    It was learnt that Mrs. Abasi was abducted by gunmen on Monday from her home at Ekei Ita Street, Ikot Ansa, around 10pm.

    Her husband, Pius, is based in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

    Pius told The Nation on the phone yesterday that he called his wife’s phone at about 10pm on Monday and it was switched off.

    He said he tried to reach her throughout the night, but the line did not go through.

    Pius said when it eventually went through yesterday morning, his wife told him she had been kidnapped by some gunmen.

    He said one of her captors seized the phone from her and demanded N50 million ransom.

    Pius said when he told them he did not have that kind of money, they told him not to call the number again until he was ready to negotiate.

    Police Commissioner Osita Ezechukwu said the police would do their best to secure her release.

  • Gunmen kidnap housewife in Calabar

    …Demand N50m ransom

    Barely three days after two children abducted in Calabar by masked gunmen were freed, another person, this time, a housewife, has been kidnapped in the Cross River State capital.

    It was gathered that the housewife, Mrs. Ime Abasi was abducted by gunmen on Monday at about 10pm in her Ekei Ita Street, Ikot Ansa home.

    Her husband, Mr. Emmaneul Pius is based in Ilorin, Kwara State.

    Pius told The Nation on phone Tuesday that he called his wife’s phone at about 10pm on Monday and the phone was switched off.

    The husband said he made several attempts throughout the night but the line did not go through.

    When it eventually went through on Tuesday morning, his wife told him that she had been kidnapped by some gunmen.

    He said one of her captors seized the phone from her and told him not to call the number again until he was ready to negotiate.

    The kidnappers, according to him, demanded N50 million ransom.

     

  • Nicki Minaj won’t headline this year’s Calabar festival

    Nicki Minaj won’t headline this year’s Calabar festival

    Multiple-award winning American super star, NIcki Minaj, would not be headlining this year’s Calabar Festival, organisers have said.

    The media, particularly the online media, had been awash with reports that the songstress would be storming Calabar, the Cross River State capital, for the festival.

    But a statement issued by the organisers said though Nicki, like many other world-acclaimed musicians, was under consideration, a deal with her was never reached owing to her asking price.

    The online media had also claimed that the super star was paid about 200,000 dollars to perform at the festival. But the organisers said to bring the pop sensation to Calabar would cost at least one million dollars.

    The organisers, however, assured of a fun-filled festival that would offer unrivalled entertainment.

     

  • BATTLE OF CALABAR KESHI SEEKS TO DROP NWANKWO

    BATTLE OF CALABAR KESHI SEEKS TO DROP NWANKWO

    •Plots plan B over Mikel

     

    SUPER EAGLES chief coach, Stephen Keshi, is looking at several other players to replace Italy-based Obiora Nwankwo who struggled in Liberia this month.

    Top team officials told MTNFootball.com that the big boss has not forgotten that Nwankwo was slow and sluggish against the Lone Star of Liberia in Monrovia and is looking out for a more capable replacement for the player, who incidentally has failed to make the grade at Inter Milan.

    Chelsea star Mikel Obi is already a sure bet to be recalled for the return leg match against Liberia on October 13 in Calabar, but should he again opt out, officials are also weighing other options. Joel Obi from Inter Milan, Kano Pillars star Gabriel Reuben and Nigeria U-20 star Kenneth Omeruo are among the names that have been suggested to replace Nwankwo.

    However, there remains doubt over the match fitness of both Joel Obi, who has just returned from a long-term injury, and Rueben, who was ruled out of the Liberia game on account of a groin injury. Omeruo, on the other hand, has been in fantastic form for his Dutch club ADO Den Haag playing at right back but can also play at central defence or as a defensive midfielder.

    The 18-year-old shone at right back on Sunday night at home against champions Ajax Amsterdam in a game that finished 1-1, and has confirmed his availability for the Flying Eagles return leg qualifier against Amajita October 7 in Ilorin. The Chelsea loanee is however yet to be capped at full international level by Nigeria.