The 2024 Carnival Calabar was big, bold and entertaining. Guests from all over the country came in their numbers. Since its inception the Carnival Calabar has grown in content, package and delivery. The annual event has evolved from not just a carnival to a cultural melting pot for different states and tribes in Nigeria. The theme for the 2024 event was: OUR SHARED PROSPERITY, the delectable Governor of Cross River State, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu whose administration conceived the Cultural Carnival to leverage on the, culture, heritage, tourism potentials, traffic and boost the state’s IGR.
Known for its hospitality Cross River State has huge untapped potentials in tourism, according to Media Aide to Senator Prince Bassey Otu, Mr Andrea Ekeng the carnival is estimated to generate over 10 billion in revenue to the State. A social media influencer and Entrepreneur Mr Simon Utsu, also corroborated his stance with Mr Ekeng on the revenue earnings of Carnival Calabar to the state. Highlighting the revenue potentials to the state he said 10 billion naira will be injected into the state through expenses in hotels and accommodations, costumes, alcohol beverages, tours, transportation and consumables. This is huge revenue earnings for the state in one month.
The pomp, pageantry, finesse and display themes of the 2024 carnival was a sight to behold. Carefully coined to tangle with the season of sweetness. The packaging, planning, strategy, innovation and delivery was superb. Calas Vegas, Akwa Ibom and Yakurr Local emerged winners in different categories, band, State and local government categories. The Senior Carnival category saw Calas Vegas emerge as the winner, Calas Vegas’s alluring costumes, energetic performances, and creative themes impressed the judges and spectators.
THE WINNERS
Local Government Carnival: Yakurr (1st), Calabar Municipal (2nd), Odukpani (3rd)
Senior Carnival: Calas Vegas (1st), Seagull (2nd), Freedom Band (3rd)
Children’s Carnival: Calas Vegas (1st), Seagull (2nd), Bayside Band (3rd)
Cultural/State Carnival: Akwa Ibom State (1st), Osun State (2nd), Delta State (3rd).
Reacting, the former Minister of Culture and Tourism, High Chief Edem Duke, said that the 2024 Calabar Carnival was bigger and better than previous editions in terms of turnout, resources and international attention. Duke made the assessment while fielding questions from journalists in Calabar Saturday at a victory party organized to celebrate Calas Vegas Band, winner of the 2024 edition of Calabar Carnival.
Appraising the Carnival, Duke who is the Calas Vegas Band leader said that “the Carnival from all indications was bigger than all what we’ve had in the recent past. The turnout of bands – the non-competing bands were more in number.
Since its inception in Donald Duke’s administration, the Carnival Calabar has increased in scope, planning and size. With 18 States in Nigeria, 18 Local Government Areas of Cross River State participated in the cultural carnival exhibiting their rich culture and heritage. The rich cultural display of the Efik, Ejagham and Bette cultures was savoured by guests who relished the warmth and hospitality of Cross River.
The 2024 Carnival may have come and gone but it relives a lot of memories in the State. It has also increased the state’s Internally Generated Revenue.