(Posted 17th March 2025)
Following the recent appointment of a 13-member committee to review and assess the impact of Africa’s biggest street party Carnival Calabar by Cross River State government, Diamond Hall, Metropolitan Hotel on Thursday played host to the review committee. The week long deliberation is expected to fulfill His Excellency the Governor of Cross River State, Prince Bassey Edet Otu’s visionary desires to strengthen and expand the carnival frontiers and offerings in the socialeconomic development of the State.
According to Carolyn Ugbor, High Chief Edem Duke, Chairman of the Review Committee, in his key note address posited that His Excellency being a seasoned man in virtually all areas of administration, has seen the value of the Carnival at twenty and the need to map out proper attributes that ensures its sustainability even through potentially difficult times. Chief Duke stated that the aspirations of the committee is to review the Carnival Calabar in the last two decades and generate proper thoughts and ideas in concrete terms towards sustaining its visibility and relevance in the cultural calendar of the world especially among the diaspora since it truly represents kaleidoscope of value in the black culture.
“For us, the carnival is the Renaissance of those elements, attributes, soft power, cultural identity, a symbol of our creativity, residence, community spirit a platform that showcases our rich diversity which fosters economic growth and made Cross River State become the Jewel in the crown of Nigeria,” he described. Also speaking at the event, the Chairman Carnival Commission Sir Gabe Onah, commended the efforts of the band leaders and members for their continuous collaboration towards the sustainability of the carnival and ensuring its serenity development in the State.
He however described them as the actual organic custodian of the wonderful, colourful created content and concepts over the years which constantly highlights cultural organization, financial viability and presentation of our culture. Onah recommends finalizing government structures, strengthening private sector involvement, developing carnival village and museum, expanding international engagement, and engaging experts for strategic implementation among others. High points of events are short presentations from different band leaders, other members present and summary of the meeting by the secretariate.
It could be recalled that in February, Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State appointed a 13-member review committee to assess and improve the annual festival. The committee, is chaired by Edem Duke, a former Minister of minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, and leader of the Calas Vegas Carnival Band, features other members including: Onari Duke, former first lady of the state; Florence Ita Giwa, a senator and carnival band lead; Gershom Bassey, a senator, and Chris Agibe. Other members are: Uyam Ugot; Eric Anderson; Gabe Onah, chairman, Cross River Carnival Commission; Ededem Ani; Johnnie Akpanke; Ikechi Uko, CEO, Akwaaba African Travel Market and the international consultant to the carnival; Esekong Andrew Essien, a professor and Owan-Eno, a professor as the secretary of the committee.
