The Governor of Cross River State, Senator Bassey Otu has stated that the 2023 Carnival Calabar will be the best the world has ever seen, adding that the State security architecture is intact, hence ready to host the world during its 32-day event.
Otu gave the assurance on Sunday (15 Oct 2023), while flagging off the First Carnival Dry Run at the Millennium Park (Eleven-Eleven) in Calabar, the state capital.
The Governor who was represented by his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey remarked that the 2023 Carnival Calabar will be better than every other Carnival that has been seen in the history of Nigeria.
“We are going to have the best Carnival that this country has ever seen this year.
“We are ready and all the service commanders are here and what that means is that we are ready.
“So, we are sending a message to our friends out there in America, London, Brazil, Trinidad and Tobago that their security is safe in Cross River. We are ready, very ready to host you, ready to welcome you because this year’s Carnival will be the best in the world,” the governor assured.
READ ALSO | 2023 Carnival Calabar Dry Run Timetable
Earlier, the Chairman of the State Carnival Commission, Mr Gabe Onah, informed that the cultural milieu that has turned around Cross River at the turn of the millennium, changing the landscape of Nigeria is back.
Onah maintained that towards this end, the city lights of Calabar are coming right back even as the streets were becoming cleaner.
Among the participating bands who walked through the 12 kilometres Carnival routes were, Masta Blasta, Seagulls, Bayside, Calas Vegas, Passion 4 and Diamond.
Commenting, Special Adviser Events Management, Effiong Ekpenyong, disclosed that the Carnival Calabar has also introduced raffle draw where the winner will cart home a brand new car.
Carnival Calabar, Africa's biggest street party.
This is just a dry run, like a test run.
The main event (Carnival Calabar) is always on the 28th of December but there are other packed filled events like Miss Africa Beauty Pageant – 27th December, Biker's Parade also known as… pic.twitter.com/qWeXF11djh
— Frank Ulom (@frankulom) October 15, 2023
