Culture

Carnival Calabar Needs Private Investment to Survive – Onah

Published

1 year ago

September 17, 2025

Carnival Calabar private investment is essential for its future, says Gabe Onah, urging businesses to help sustain Nigeria’s largest cultural street party

Carnival Calabar private investment is now critical for the continued success of Africa’s largest street festival, according to the festival’s Chairman, Gabe Onah.

Also read: Okhma Global Investment Workshop Attracts Top Brands for Carnival Calabar

Speaking at the 21st Akwaaba African Travel Market on Tuesday in Lagos, Onah made a passionate appeal for deeper private sector involvement to ensure the longevity of the iconic Calabar Carnival, which turns 20 this year.

“Carnival Calabar must breathe beyond the stranglehold of government,” he declared. “For sustainability, the private sector has to take more than a passing interest.”

Originally conceived as a tool for community participation and economic development, the carnival has grown into a national and international attraction, drawing over 300,000 tourists in 2024, according to data from the Cross River Tourism Bureau.

Onah credited the festival’s resilience to the support of successive governors—Donald Duke, Liyel Imoke, Ben Ayade, and current governor Bassey Otu.

However, he stressed that it is the local community spirit and Calabar’s unique setting that have truly powered the festival’s success.

“The smiles of our people, the restfulness of the city and our natural blessings—vegetation, mountains, waterfronts and greenery—are what make Calabar stand out,” he said.

At the regional level, Onah praised Akwaaba for being a “melting point for travel and trade,” highlighting its role in fostering collaboration within Africa’s tourism sector.

“In tourism, we will keep saying partners must collaborate, not compete. Akwaaba has successfully done this for Nigeria,” he said.

Addressing emerging trends, Onah noted that today’s tourists are “digital, unique and global.”

He emphasised the importance of embracing artificial intelligence in promoting tourism, while also pointing out the increasing influence of families in travel decisions.

This shift, he revealed, inspired the transformation of the Children’s Carnival into a Junior Carnival, with added programming tailored for younger audiences.

Onah also underscored the economic ripple effect of the carnival. From hotel bookings totalling over ₦2.79 billion, to food sales estimated at ₦900 million, the 2024 edition significantly boosted Cross River’s economy.

Ancillary revenue from transport, nightclubs, fashion shows, and digital streaming pushed the total impact even further, with over 1.2 billion viewers reached globally through DSTV and online platforms.

Despite these successes, Onah stressed that over-reliance on government support places the future of the festival at risk.

Also read: Carnival Calabar 2025 Unveils Exciting Schedule with Cultural Flair

“If we want Carnival Calabar to not just survive but thrive, the private sector must take the reins,” he said.

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Culture

WAKE UP! Art Exhibition Returns for a Second Act

Published

1 month ago

August 27, 2026

Mariam Balogun

The contemporary art and photography exhibition “Wake Up!” is back again for a second edition.

Curated by Awele Onwordi, Wake Up! 2 exhibition pays homage to the Nigerian youth and burgeoning street culture which many of its contributing artists reference in their works.

Also read: Five rising stars battle for 2026 Headies Next Rated

Titled “Young, Wild, Free”, the exhibition celebrates the creativity, resilience, freedom and cultural influence found in Nigerian youth.

Taking aim at societal issues and economic concerns, the exhibit reflects the youth and their refusal to compromise or bow despite all the challenges stacked against them while charting youth culture through art, music, fashion, skateboarding, photography and community.

The exhibition will be held, once again, at the Angel and Muse Gallery at 25 Sumbo Jibowu street off Ribadu Road off Awolowo Road in Ikoyi.

It will open on Saturday 5 September 2026 and will run until 11 September 2026
This second edition which focuses on celebrating, nurturing and exploring artistic practices rooted in youth and street culture will feature works from DENCITY and SUPERGLIDER HOUSE.

Exhibiting artists include Ajilore Kehinde – their work is deeply influenced by Nigerian street culture and works of other artists like Slawn, Peters Ejiro, etc, Chuka Onwordi – graphic designer who embodies themes of death, melancholy and beauty in his works, ZIDYEP – Abuja based creative whose works move between digital and physical spaces through art, graphic design and air brushing , Franklyn Okoye – graphic designer and artist whose works explore themes of identity and hyper-reality, Awele Onwordi – founder & curator of WAKE UP and multidisciplinary artist whose practice spans character art, creative logo design, album covers and more , Oluchi Kogolo – digital illustrator whose work explores street culture, personality and storytelling through a raw and playful visual style and Kozetuo Apeji – multidisciplinary artists who work explores experimental approaches to problem solving through both digital and traditional art forms.

Commenting on the exhibition in her curatorial statement, Awele noted that “despite economic instability, limited opportunities and socio-political challenges, Nigerian youth continue to shape culture through music, fashion, art, skateboarding, raves, photography and community.”

Also read: Five rising stars battle for 2026 Headies Next Rated

Continuing and harping on the raison d’etre of the exhibition she said, “Young, Wild and Free exists to celebrate Nigerian youth while also creating a platform that supports and amplifies them.”