Gov. Otu Promises Bigger Carnival Calabar

Ugo Aliogo

Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, has stated that making the Carnival Calabar International Festival a bigger platform remains one of his campaign promises.

In a statement issued by Chief Press Secretary, Emmanuel Ogbeche, the governor, gave the assurance, while flagging-off the main event of the 2023 Carnival Calabar International Festival, where seven competing bands gave scintillating performances in competition for prizes.

Quoting the governor, Ogbeche said, “This is one of our campaign promises that we are definitely going to bring carnival back and on a bigger platform. What you have seen is the tip of the iceberg because we are going to move it to the next level.”

Commending sponsors for their immense support, the governor lauded tourists, visitors, and other fun seekers for gracing Calabar with their presence and savouring the spectacle.

The statement further explained that Calas Vegas Band, which is under the tutelage of former Minister of Culture and Tourism, High Chief Edem Duke, at the end of the show at the main bowl of the U. J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar, clinched the coveted top position of N10m of the N55million on offer.

The statement revealed that Passion 4, the festival’s most successful band, placed second, while Seagull Band settled for the third position.

The statement remarked that the Carnival Calabar was a display of innovation, theatre, ingenuity, culture, exhibition and interpretation of societal issues, as well as proffering of solutions.

According to the statement, “Other competing bands in the carnival parade include Bayside Band, Diamond Band, Freedom Band, Master Blaster Band, Passion 4 Band and Seagull Band.

“In the Children Carnival Category, Passion 4 emerged winners, Seagull Band came second, while Calas Vegas came third.

“Odukpani Local Government Area came first, Akpabuyo second and Calabar South third. For the Cultural Festival, Akwa Ibom State came first, Ebonyi State second, while Edo and Ondo States both came third in the States Category.”