The Governor of Cross River State, Senator Bassey Otu, says Carnival Calabar is a bold expression of the collective dreams, culture and heritage, as well as economic creation of the people in state.
Governor Bassey Otu stated this in Abuja during the unveiling ceremony of the Carnival Calabar Theme for 2025 in Abuja.
Unveiling the Carnival theme as “traces of time” governor Bassey Otu describes the 2025 edition of the Carnival as unique, as it coincides with the twentieth anniversary of the event.
He highlighted some new innovations in this year’s Carnival.
“We are not just celebrating a carnival; we are celebrating the soul of our people and the heartbeat of Cross River’s tourism and creative economy,”
Governor Otu used the occasion to invite fun seekers around the world to witness the twentieth anniversary of the Carnival in December, 2025 in Calabar.
“We have made some innovations under my administration. We have reintroduced the Junior Carnival, Night of Kings and Queens, the Ikom Carnival, and the Ogoja Carnival. “
In a remark, the Executive Secretary, National Council for Arts and Culture Obi Asika described Carnival Calabar, as potentially evolving into a nerve centre of global music events.
“Carnival Calabar has the potential of becoming the biggest musical festival in the world. With at least twenty thousand spectators at the stadium every night, moving freely without fear, without stress, thirty one days. Showcasing music icons from around the world…”
Earlier, the chairman, Cross River State Carnival Commission, Mr Gabe Onah recalled the vision that birthed the Carnival which has evolved from a mere cultural spectacle to a huge marketing platform of global reckoning.
“Our young people now dance not just to entertain, but to earn, to express, and to inspire. Carnival Calabar is a living legacy of purpose-driven culture,”
The ceremony attracted dignitaries from far and near, including former governors of Cross River State, members of the Diplomatic Corps, stakeholders in tourism, arts and culture sector, as well as the national, chairman, All Progressives Congress, APC, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, among others.
Source: Michael Akpang, FRCN, Calabar.
