From:
Office of the SSA, Mobilization and Enlightenment
Tuesday
– December 11, 2018
Calabar
Carnival regarded
as “Africa's Biggest Street Party", was
created in 2004 as part of the vision of making Cross
River State, Nigeria, the foremost tourist destination for Nigerians and foreigners. The carnival has boosted the cultural montage of
Cross River and Nigeria, while entertaining millions of spectators within and
outside the shores of Nigeria, year in year out. The theme of the 2018 Carnival
event is “Africanism,” portraying that the carnival has African connotation in
it. This year event marks the 14th carnival, which is expected to attract
over 25 countries of the world.
The theme
of the Carnival depicts a perfect display of the rich African cultural heritage,
brand visibility and market awareness for spectators who will grace the
occasion from different parts of the universe. The carnival is a creative and
innovative platform for reinvigorating the ancient cultural dynamics in a modern
and more civilized manner.
Traditional
rulers and worthy illustrious personalities have been parts and parcel of the
carnival that attracts over 2 million audience across the globe, who come to
watch the great cultural display that is transmitted by media outfits on global
channels. The Obong of Calabar, his cabinet members and other traditional title
holders dress in their traditional regalia to reflect the cultural commemoration
of the event.
The event
has paved ways for top Nigerian and international artistes (Musicians, costume
designers, street theatre performers, dancers and sound engineers) to display
their talents. Over the years, international artists like the late Lucky
Dube, Fat
Joe, Akon, Young
Jeezy, P-Square, Nelly, Kirk
Franklin, and many more have thrilled the mammoth
crowd of spectators and tourists from outside the country with raw musical
performance.
One
notable desirable feature of PDP as a party is policy continuity. Since the
inception of Senator Prof. Ben Ayade’s government, he has been sustaining the
tempo of the event, making it better by the years. The year 2018 is not an exception – he has
invited all the presidential candidates of the political parties for the 2019
general elections to take a week-long
vacation from campaigns and participate in the 2018 Calabar Carnival.
The impact
of these leading events cannot be overstressed. These impacts can be segregated
into three aspects- Economic, social-cultural and environmental impact.
Economically,
Carnival contributes an approximate 22% and 16% to agricultural and hospitality
industry development. It has impacted significantly on industrial development
and hospitality industry development in Cross River State with values of 16%
and 32%. It has also contributed to the emergence of telecom firms, communication,
estate development, supermarkets, barbing saloons, craft shops, stores and
banks. They have also contributed to human capacity building, leading to
employment of over 20,000 people in cottage industry in Cross River State, offering
both producers and consumers the opportunity to enjoy their revenue and services
at meeting points, since production and consumption are concurrent.
In addition,
from the social-cultural perspective, Governor Ayade, and other past governors
have, in their wisdom, been promoting the rich cultural heritage of Cross
River, Nigeria and the entire Africa. This year’s edition is specifically meant
to promote African Culture as portrayed by the title: “Africanism”. It will
also strengthen inter-communal bond, goodwill, public happiness, social
inclusion, preserving existing culture as well as enhance unity in diversity. Carnival
has been projecting the good image of Cross River State among other states in
Nigeria. The event adds flavor to the cultural dynamics as a result of the
contact between local and foreign spectators.
In the past
years, the Calabr Carnival has also promoted environmental sustainability effort
of the Digital Governor as captured by the themes for two consecutive years. The
said events sought to address climate change, one of the greatest challenges the
world is currently grappling with in the 21st century.
Chf. Mrs Angela
Ogeyi Odey. SSA, Mobilization and Enlightenment
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