The Governor of Cross River State, Senator Bassey Otu unveiled the theme of Carnival Calabar while declaring open the 19th Africa travel event know as Akwaaba in Lagos State, southern Nigeria.

Concerning the carnival, Governor Otu said “Carnival Calabar represents the most tangible tourism product in the calendar of events of Cross River State and Nigeria in general.

“It was and still is a strategic plan for the actualization of the vision of transforming Cross River State socio-economically through the instrumentality of the performing arts.

“The carnival exhibits rare colours, costumes, floats, pyrotechnics, magic, acrobatics and more through the 12 kilometre route.

“These are by no means overt expressions of the state and people’s heritage of hospitality and Africa’s warmest welcome.

“Today, we are here to witness another theme unveiling, which stands our carnival out as an intellectual platform to entertain, educate, and inform our publics and audiences.

“Carnival Calabar, Africa’s Biggest Street Party has always led the cultural interface and ties with other such great cultural and artistic brands that have evolved distinct identities as Nigeria’s best foot forward in cultural diplomacy and at the same time acting as the pull factor to bring tourists to Cross River State and Nigeria every year,” he said.

According to the governor, the 2023 edition of Carnival Calabar would include the events such as Children’s Carnival and the King’s and Queens Competition previously suspended from the State’s offering by the immediate past administration.

He explained that the reintroduction of the sub-events would engender private sector participation under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) framework for sustainability of Carnival Calabar.

Otu stated, “moving forward, it is the belief of my administration that the carnival has come of age and should deploy all efforts at sustainability and inclusion to achieve set goals exploring a robust Public Private Partnership framework to achieve mutually beneficial relations in Naming Rights, Endorsements, Sponsorships, Merchandising and Activations.

“It is in the realization of these waiting opportunities that I have directed that the Children’s Carnival, Aqua Show as well as the exciting and colorful Night of Kings and Queens to return to the Carnival Calendar to create more opportunities for sponsors visibility.”

He expressed appreciation to leaders of the carnival bands for creatively sustaining the carnival through theme interpretation hoping that the same energy would be infused into this year’s theme interpretation.
“May I also thank the band leaders for their creativity to breathe life into the carnival themes in the past and for a job well done,” Otu said.

The governor also appreciated previous sponsors and media partners for what he described as “a wonderful relationship through the past years.”

Evolution of Carnival Calabar

The Chairman of the Cross River State Carnival Commission, Mr. Gabe Onah told Voice of Nigeria that the governor decided to unveil the 2023 Carnival Calabar theme “Season of Sweetness” at the 19th Africa travel event to kick-start the dryruns, which would be flagged off this month in Calabar.

Onah, who spoke on the evolution of the Carnival Calabar said “it started in 2004 by former governor, Mr. Donald Duke, as a way to promote tourism and particularly improve the local economy.

“Then, it was Calabar Carnival and started with five original band identified by specific colours. The bands include Bayside, which uses Blue; Seagull that one is identified by Red; Freedom has Yellow; Passion 4 we know is Green and the Orange colour is for Masta Blasta.

“The carnival as I said earlier is 19 years old this year and has grown to include two more bands, which is Diamond Band in purple and Calas Vegas Band. This year, we will see the reintroduction of the Children’s Carnival and the Night of Kings and Queens. As you know, we have other events on the carnival calendar. We will unfold them soon,” he said.

The carnival theme unveiling ceremony was attended by key players in Nigeria’s tourism sector.