024 Junior Carnival Explores Creativity, Promotes Culture 

The Junior Carnival Calabar has been reintroduced to enable children to develop an appreciation for African culture and Creative Arts.

The wife of the governor of Cross River State in southern Nigeria, Mrs. Eyoanwan Otu made the assertion when she flagged off the 2024 edition of Junior Carnival accompanied by some internal sponsors and guests.

Mrs Otu, who was delighted to see children turn out in their hundreds as participants at this year’s carnival, said “The children cannot be left out when it comes to tourism development and promoting the African culture.

“As future leaders, the continuity of an event of this magnitude would one day fall on their shoulders. So, it is right to get them involved in the street party. Yes, most of them across the state and country participated at the last Essay Competition and performed well,” she recalled.

Continuing, Otu said, “Setting aside a day for them to equally showcase their talent during interpretation of the theme ‘Our Shared Prosperity’ is another way to encourage them to think outside the box and aspire to be greater and better individuals and law-abiding citizens.” She also expressed appreciation to the organizers of the junior carnival as well as sponsors for supporting the state government’s efforts in repositioning its people for greater accomplishments.

4-Kilometres of exciting performance

Earlier, the chairman of the Cross River State Carnival Commission, Mr. Gabe Onah said the children would be traversing four (4) kilometres along the carnival route and performing at three (3) adjudication points. Onah explained, “The children have been agitating to be part of Africa’s biggest street party. As we all know, children are our future and cannot be left behind. It is a significant milestone for this administration led by our Sweet Prince, Governor Otu to reintroduce the junior carnival.

“The children today will be adjudged using laid out criteria such as the best band on the move, best interpretation of the theme, best choreography and costume designs amongst others. Last year was exciting and this year is another round of excitement from the children,” he said.

He reiterated the commitment of the commission to ensure that tourists, guests and visitors including spectators across the world get a thrill out of this year’s carnival show. The participating children are members of the seven competing carnival bands adorned with bedazzled colourful costumes and flashy headpieces depicting the bands they represent. The carnival bands include Seagull, Masta Blasta, Passion 4, Freedom, Bayside, Diamond and CalasVegas.