By Nsan Ndoma-Neji, Calabar
The Cross River State government has assured fun seekers, carnival enthusiasts, and the public of a grand and vibrant Carnival Calabar festival, as final preparations for the highly anticipated event reach a crescendo.
Flagging off the third Carnival Calabar dry run, on Sunday at the popular Calabar Cenotaph, the governor of Cross River State, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, expressed confidence in delivering an unforgettable experience, highlighting the lineup of colorful parades, musical performances, cultural displays, and other festivities that have cemented the carnival’s reputation as Africa’s largest street party.
Represented by the Deputy Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Sylvester Agabi, Otu urged residents and visitors to participate fully, emphasizing the event’s role in boosting tourism and showcasing the state’s rich heritage.
He assured, “Security measures and logistics have been meticulously planned to ensure a seamless celebration.”
Chairman of the Cross River State Carnival Commission, Mr. Gabe Onah, said that in line with this year’s theme ‘Our Shared Prosperity,’ the 2024 Carnival Calabar and Festival has been carefully planned to give visitors, viewers, and the general public an unforgettable experience.
He informed that considering the cumbersome task of traversing the 12-kilometer carnival route by the various bands to provide the carnival with world-class entertainment, safety measures have been put in place to address any accidents or eventualities and, more importantly, to keep pace with international best practices.
Speaking on the safety of participating bands, the representative of International Energy Insurance, Esheru Osime, assured the over 15,000 revelers who would be entertaining the world along the 12-kilometer route in Africa’s biggest street party that adequate compensation measures have been put in place to cater to participants in case of any accident, eventualities, or even death.
The Executive Director of Yanga Games, Clement Nyambialso, revealed that during the carnival, three lucky people would be going home with a whopping N10 million through a raffle draw.
He enjoined those interested in the raffle game to get their tickets via www.calabargames.com or at the Christmas Village in Calabar Municipality Council premises.
The Carnival Calabar and Festival activities began on December 1, 2024, with the symbolic lighting of the towering Christmas tree at the Calabar Cenotaph by the governor, preceded by the walk against HIV/AIDS and the official opening of the Christmas Village.
Tourists and fun seekers from across Nigeria and around the world have been flocking to Nigeria’s first capital (Calabar) to savour the mirth that characterizes the Carnival Calabar and Festival.
