By Onwa Ekor, Calabar
In a bid to showcase the rich cultural heritage in line with the aged long Carnival Calabar, a total of 18 states across the country, Thursday, graced the Calabar cultural carnival.
Also among the list of participants were the 18 local government areas of Cross River, who participated at the event with their various costumes showcasing their cultural talents, while interpreting the year’s theme, “our shared prosperity.”
Flagging off the event at the millennium park, Calabar, the governor, Prince Bassey Otu, charged the participants to take advantage of the increase in prizes for winners to showcase their best.
“Today is an important day in the calendar of our carnival and the action begins today because we are going to showcase our rich cultural heritage.
“I welcome all our partners and all parties and we are going to see some of the things that we have never seen before,” Otu said.
According to him, “last year I promised that there are going to be some additions of top notches in what we are doing and I think we have done so.”
Revealing the new package, the governor said, his administration, this year increased the prizes in a bid to ensure the best of competitions, adding that, “next year we will still add some more.”
Earlier, Chairman of the Carnival Commission, Mr. Gabe Onah, argued that the cultural carnival remains a product that markets the state’s tourism which is the people’s culture.
His words: “Our shared prosperity which is the theme of this year’s Carnival, is what we are known for as Cross Riverians. It is our culture which is the ability to give our warmth and smile to the people.”
Onah who remarked that “our culture is the palmoil with which our tourism is eaten,” added that, Cross River’s tourism potentials are aimed at igniting the community spirit.
The event saw participants displaying their cultural heritage along the Carnival routes and stopping at three adjudication points to exhibit their rich talents while interpreting the year’s theme.
Among states present at the event were Adamawa, Kogi, Kebbi, Akwaibom, Niger, Ebonyi, Edo, Delta and Osun states including the 18 local government areas of the state, among others.
The event drew members of the National Assembly, representatives of financial institutions, state executive council members and chairmen of councils.
