One of Nigeria’s most tangible tourism events, Carnival Calabar has been given a theme for the 2023 edition tagged “Season of Sweetness”.
With the theme ‘Season Of Sweetness’, activities for the 2023 Carnival Calabar commenced on Sunday, October 15, as the Governor of the state, Bassey Otu hosted dignitaries and bands that will be competing at the festival, at the Millennium Park, Calabar. This year’s edition would be the first to be hosted by the state governor since assumption of office on May 29, 2023.
Now in its 19th edition, the 2023 Carnival Calabar will feature dance, music, costume, design of the floats amongs others. The Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey who represented the Governor at the event disclosed that this year’s event would be the best ever. He noted that the presence of service commanders in the first dry run is an indication that the state is ready in terms of security. “We are ready, the service chiefs are here indicating that the security team is ready. Also this to tell all our friends coming to attend the event from America, London, Brazil, Trinidad, Tobago etc, that security is firm in the state and we are ready to host them.”
The chairman of the Carnival Commission, Gab Onah said the dry run event signifies a new beginning in Cross River State. “Carnival Calabar is back! The city lights of Calabar are coming back, the city streets are becoming greener.”
The Special Adviser Events Management, Mr. Effiong Ekpenyong, disclosed that the Calabar Carnival has also introduced raffle draw and the winner will cart home a brand new car.
Dignitaries at the first test run of the carnival Calabar includes Brigadier General Okoro, the commander of the 13 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, wife of the former governor of the state and chairman of the Carnival Bands Association, Onari Duke, former Minister of Culture and Tourism, Edem Duke. The Commissioner of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Abubakar Ewa, as well as other tourism stakeholders.
