December 30, (THEWILL) — The 20th anniversary of Carnival Calabar has finally arrived, and it’s been a wild ride! Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, APC National Chairman, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, and other dignitaries joined the festivities in Calabar, Cross River State.
The event, christened “Africa’s Biggest Street Party”, kicked off at the historic Millenium Park, with Governor Prince Bassey Otu urging participants to showcase the best of Cross River State. “We want to see the theme, ‘Traces of Time’, come alive in a way that’ll leave the world in awe,” he said.
The governor also paid tribute to the initiator of the carnival, Donald Duke, and successive governors of the state, who sustained the carnival over the years.
The carnival features various bands, Nollywood stars, and international performers, with a 12-kilometer route packed with music, dance, and cultural displays. The event has transformed the state’s economy and put Cross River on the global map.
The Portuguese Envoy, Paulo Santos, was impressed by the organisation and success of the carnival, saying, “I will encourage other diplomats to spend their holidays in Calabar.”
The night was filled with music, dance, and revelry, as participants showed off their skills and creativity.
