Calavegas Band, led by High Chief Edem Duke, wins Carnival Càlabar 2025, citing creativity, teamwork, and thematic excellence as key to success.

The Calavegas Band, led by former Minister for Culture and Tourism High Chief Edem Duke, has emerged victorious at the just-concluded Carnival Càlabar 2025, marking their second consecutive win.

Duke attributed the band’s triumph to the unwavering commitment of its members and their creative interpretation of this year’s carnival theme.

During a celebratory get-together at the former Mirage Hotel in Calabar, Duke shared insights with journalists about the secret behind the band’s sustained success.

He emphasised that their achievements stemmed from adhering strictly to the carnival’s rules and fostering an environment where members could fully express their talents.

“There’s no secret to this other than committing ourselves to the very best of creative potential and utilisation of personnel,” Duke stated.

“We focus on interpreting the theme and aggregating all the inherent talents within the band to compete favourably with others, ensuring what we present is unmatched.”

Duke, a seasoned performing artist and cultural ambassador, explained that the Calavegas Band’s philosophy lies in blending creativity with disciplined choreography and an understanding of the carnival’s spirit.

This winning formula, combined with a strong leadership vision, has set the band apart.

The band’s performances this season demonstrated an extraordinary level of collaboration, creativity, and dynamic execution, earning them high praise from judges and audiences alike.

Duke reiterated that while winning is gratifying, the primary focus remains on sustaining the carnival’s vibrancy and cultural essence.

Looking ahead, the Calavegas Band has ambitious plans to expand its reach by launching operations in the Central and Cross River North Senatorial Districts.

This initiative aims to identify and nurture fresh talent, ensuring the band continues to dominate the Carnival Càlabar scene.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu praises the organisers of the Lagos Shopping Festival for creating a new economic pillar, marking the success of the 72-hour event.

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has commended the successful conclusion of the Lagos Shopping Festival (LSF), which wrapped up at the iconic Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Onikan at 4am on Thursday, December 26.

The much-anticipated event, which ran for an impressive 72 hours, marked a significant milestone in the state’s growing festival economy.

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Sanwo-Olu praised the organisers, Chain Reactions Africa Ltd, one of Africa’s leading Public Relations consulting firms, for their impeccable execution of the festival.

He lauded their efforts in contributing to the development of a solid festival economy in Lagos State.

“We are gradually building a festival economy for our great State. This idea of a 72-hour shopping festival is another strategic pillar on which the full edifice of a festival economy at Yuletide can rest,” said the governor.

The event was a notable success, with thousands of young people gainfully employed in various aspects of the event management and commercial value chain.

These included roles in design, stage setup, sound systems, lighting, crowd control, volunteer coordination, branding, and exhibition booth installations.

Governor Sanwo-Olu also expressed his gratitude to the Lagos Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), security, and safety agencies who worked tirelessly throughout the event.

He highlighted the smooth running of the festival, noting that it was concluded without any medical emergencies or disruptions, a testament to the organisers’ excellent planning and the collaboration of state agencies.

The festival focused on strategically scaling and optimising small businesses, providing valuable connections between shoppers and Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs).

The event also received significant corporate support from major brands, including Tolaram Group, Guinness Nigeria, Zenith Bank, and First Bank, which contributed to the event’s success.

In recognition of the festival’s importance, the governor noted that it was not only an opportunity to boost the local economy but also to provide a platform for small businesses to thrive.

This inaugural edition of the Lagos Shopping Festival is expected to become a key annual event, strengthening Lagos’s position as a leading destination for both commerce and culture in Africa.

The World Iyan Carnival in Ekiti showcased the region’s rich culture, while launching innovative agricultural initiatives aimed at boosting economic development.

The much-anticipated inaugural World Iyan Carnival took centre stage in Ekiti State, bringing together cultural displays, innovative agricultural initiatives, and dynamic performances.

The event, themed “Agrotourism: A New Frontier for Sustainable Tourism and Economic Development,” highlighted the vibrant traditions of the Ekiti and Idoma people, with captivating yam presentations, Oriki Iyan recitations, and traditional dance performances.

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A key highlight of the carnival was the renowned Omoge Iyan pageant, celebrating beauty, culture, and tradition, which added excitement to the already exhilarating event.

Prince Ade Ajayi, the Founder of the World Iyan Carnival (WIC), expressed pride in the carnival’s success, stating that the event aimed to showcase Ekiti’s rich cultural heritage while shifting perceptions about the state’s economic potential.

He highlighted the carnival’s four transformative pillars: a 50 million yam tubers cultivation initiative, the documentation of the origin of Iyan in collaboration with Netflix, the creation of the Aafin Iyan Resort, and the annual celebration of the Iyan Carnival.

Ajayi noted that the carnival’s impact would go beyond cultural promotion, boosting the local economy and contributing to Nigeria’s agricultural sector.

He also announced the establishment of World Iyan Day, designated for December 27th, to annually celebrate these milestones.

A significant announcement during the event was the launch of the Office to Farm Agric Credit initiative, a pioneering project in agricultural financing.

This innovative initiative, developed through a seven-year research journey, seeks to bridge the gap between civil servants, private sector workers, and the agricultural sector.

Ajayi explained that the initiative would allow salary earners and institutions to invest in agriculture by financing and trading not only yam tubers but also other crops.

“This initiative is a key contribution to the Renewed Hope Campaign, which aims to revitalise Nigeria’s agricultural sector and unlock its potential for sustainable economic growth,” Ajayi said.

He shared plans to roll out the initiative across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, starting with the western region in early 2025.

The program will provide significant opportunities for individuals and organisations to participate in agricultural wealth creation.

The maiden World Iyan Carnival was attended by key government officials, including Dr. Olowoyo Sikiru, Senior Special Adviser on Agricultural Extension, and Ambassador Wale Ojo-Lanre, Director-General of the Ekiti Bureau of Tourism.

The presence of these officials underscored the importance of the event in promoting both cultural tourism and agricultural development.

Ajayi also mentioned the collaboration with financial institutions and Africa’s leading blockchain technology company to create a platform for easier investment in agriculture, fostering a new era of agricultural wealth.

With the carnival and its initiatives, Ekiti State is positioning itself as a leader in sustainable tourism and agricultural innovation.

As the World Iyan Carnival continues to grow, it is expected to play a significant role in the state’s economic development and in promoting the agricultural sector as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s future prosperity.