2024 Carnival Calabar: Spectators Hail Buhari, Governors Presence

The presence of some Nigerian elites at this year’s carnival Calabar has been described as another endorsement by the government for the flagship tourism programme of the Cross River State government.

Some spectators expressed delight that the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State and his Kogi State counterpart, Usman Ododo as well as the wife of the former Nigerian President, Mrs. Aisha Buhari and the deputy woman leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Zainab Ibrahim could attend the carnival.

A public affairs analyst, Mrs. Caroline Mathews, said, ” It means the federal government truly approves of the carnival. I am also happy that two governors are here this year. It is a big endorsement to me.”

Mr. Harrison Effiong, a resident of Calabar said, “Although I could not catch a glimpse of the former President’s wife, Aisha Buhari, the mere fact that Governor Otu acknowledged her presence alongside the APC deputy national women leader is exciting.

“That they choose to enjoy this carnival with us shows unity, tolerance, and acceptance of all of us as one Nigeria. They are welcome to Calabar and hope more people come next year as well,” Effiong stressed.

Meanwhile, thousands of spectators lined the 12-kilometre carnival route to witness the seven competing bands entertain them with their titillating performance, colourful costumes and display of grandiose floats decorated with artworks translating the theme “Our Shared Prosperity”.

Speaking before the flag-off, the Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, expressed delight at the international attention the carnival has continued to attract, acknowledging the contributions of past governors of Cross River State governors for initiating and expanding the carnival annually.

He said, “The theme of this year is ‘Our Shared Prosperity’; that shared prosperity is internationally engaging because we have the global audience right here. We have people from all continents of the world right here in Calabar.

“The theme, which the bands would be interpreting underscores the need to build economic, social, and cultural prosperity for our people. At this point, let me commend my predecessors, Governors Donald Duke, Liyel Imoke and Professor Ben Ayade for initiating and sustaining the carnival as well as introducing more content, which is now 20 years old,” he stated. He assured of his administration’s commitment to add value to the carnival as one of Nigeria’s flagship tourism products.

In a brief remark, the chairman of the Governors Forum, Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq commended Otu for the sustainability of the initiative, which he noted has placed Cross River and Nigeria on the global tourism map.

Similarly, the governor of Kogi State, Usman Ododo appreciated the leadership style of Otu as well as the energy and commitment displayed by carnival revellers including the enthusiasm of residents.

The 2024 Carnival Calabar also attracted the coverage of major international, national and local media outlets as well as thousands of content creators, further amplifying its global reach. Local businesses also benefited immensely, with hotels, restaurants, and transport operators recording a surge in patronage.