Carnival Calabar key to economic, social, cultural prosperity – Gov Otu

Cross River State governor, Senator Bassey Otu, has asserted that Africa’s largest street party (Carnival Calabar) is a veritable platform that will bring economic, socal and cultural prosperity for the state and Nigeria at large.

Otu made the assertion while flagging off 2024 Carnival Càlabar festival on Saturday at the Millennium park in Calabar .

Otu who spoke on the theme: “Our Shared Prosperity” explained that the 2024 carnival was actually international in nature.

“This years carnival is international in nature because we have the global audience here, as well as people of all continents.

” It is to tell everyone that there is need to bring the economics social and cultural prosperity into what we are doing so that our people will share”, the governor said.

He added that he is humbled to be celebrating about two decades of the Carnival Calabar, lauding the three erstwhile governors of the state for holding on to what former governor Donald Duke started.

Otu noted that a new band called Diaspora Band may be added in future to cater for the people in the Diaspora.

In a brief chat with journalists, chairman, of the state Carnival Commission, Mr. Gabe Onah, stressed that they (the state) have laboured since the start of the millennium to change their story stressing that they are beginning to see the fruits.

“This year’s event is another testimonial of our humble effort to unite the world, give love and help foster peaceful coexistence.

Carnival bands contesting to grab the cash are Six bands, they are: Freedom Band , Bayside Band , Passion 4 band , Seagull Band , Master Blasta Band and Diamond Band are the competing bands seeking to displace last year’s winner Calas Vagas in the annual event.

Source :Vanguard