By Onwa Ekor
As Cross River government, Carnival lovers and stakeholders in the tourism sector converge for a carnival parade in honour of two demised band leaders in the state, the governor, Prince Bassey Otu, says his administration would ensure it immortalise the deceased.
The two Carnival Calabar Band Leaders who recently bid farewell to mother earth are, Chris Agibe ( Passion 4 band) and Iyam Ugot (Freedom band).
Otu, represented by his deputy, Rt. Hon Peter Odey, during the flag off of the event at the Botanical garden, Mary Slessor street in Calabar, said such gesture was pertinent considering the dedication and hardwork of the duo towards the success of the Calabar Carnival adjudged as the biggest street party in Africa.
“These were leaders from Cross River that we had respect for and we want to ensure that their sacrifices to ensure that Carnival Calabar remains what it is today, will never be forgotten.
“Cross River government would do everything in its power to ensure that these two great illustrious sons are immortalized for the hardwork and dedication they put in, to ensure that Carnival Calabar remains what it is today.
“They will forever remain evergreen in our hearts and whenever the Passion 4 and Freedom Bands file up, nobody will forget the sacrifices of Agibe and Ugot,” Otu remarked.
Continuing, the governor said: “It is a sad moment for Cross River, a moment we hope never happened, a moment we pray never happened, because we rather hoped and prayed that Carnival Calabar will continue to live up to the tasks and the good works it was started for.”
For a former Senator and Band Leader of Seagull, Florence Ita Giwa, the deceased left at a point when the Carnival Calabar has become the best product out of Africa.
“In fact the only good news for sometime that have been coming out of Nigeria that they talk about all over the world is, the Carnival.
“These two great giants were creative, sacrificed, stayed sleepless and made their marks, it is my prayer that God comfort the State, families, Carnival Calabar and allow us to carry on from where they have left,” Giwa said.
Leader of Diamond Carnival Band, Eric Anderson, on his part said, that the demise of the duo was a colossal loss to the carnival industry and indeed the tourism sector in Cross River.
Recalling his early engagement with the duo, Anderson said, “I knew both deceased when I was a reveler 20 years ago, till I eventually became a leader too, and they welcomed me with so much love and guidance.
“Agibe and Ugot were great leaders and icons of Carnival Calabar and as the governor has said, they truly need to be immortalized,” Anderson remarked.
Earlier, Chairman of the State Carnival Commission, Gabe Onah, said “it was the first time in the world that two Carnival Band Leaders would die back to back,” maintaining that, he would miss their philosophical mights in the sector.
Highpoint of the event was the cutting of the flag off tape by widows of the deceased, amidst tears.
