By Onwa Ekor, Calabar
As part of the 2024 Carnival Calabar activities, about 3000 bikers, Sunday evening, took over the 12 kilometres carnival routes in Cross River, creating stunts to the admiration of thousands of spectaculars who thronged the routes to watch the wheels wonders.
The event christened, “2024 Bikers parade,” saw the emergence of safety-geared bikers and ride pillions from six motorbike riders clubs which includes, Maxk riders, Metallic Knights, Free wheelers, Diamond bike gang, Tinapa motorbike and D’Scorpion motorbike riders clubs.
Flagging off the event at the millennium park in Calabar, the Cross River capital, the governor, Prince Bassey Otu, charged the riders to be safety conscious as they traverse the Carnival routes with their unique experience in bike riding.
Otu, represented by his deputy, Rt. Hon Peter Odey, stated that in view of the fact that this year’s Carnival has not recorded any sad event, it is pertinent for the riders to ensure that all safety precautions are adhered strictly.
“The Carnival never recorded any sad event and we believe that today, all safety measures are going to be adhered to, while ensuring that the riders and ride pillions remain safe,” the governor said.
Chairman, Cross River Carnival Commission, Mr. Gabe Onah, noted that the event is a celebration of partners including IEI International Insurance, Afrexim Bank, United Bank of Africa (UBA), First Bank, Zenith, Nigerian Breweries, Arise TV and MTN, among others who are on ground to offer the event a touch.
Onah appealed that, moving forward, the bikers event should be a stand alone in the course of the year so that it becomes competitive as the commission is engaging with Yanga games that are promoting the Carnival Calabar and festival games.
In an interview, a former Commissioner for culture and tourism as well as Information in Cross River, Eric Anderson, stressed the need for bikers to observe safety measures while ensuring that their personal protective equipments (PPEs) are appropriately worn.
Anderson who is the leader of Diamond Bike Hang, also advised on the reduction of speed limits as bike riders mark the 2024 Bikers parade which is part of the Carnival Calabar and festivities.
