Wande Coal Speaks On Wizkid, Davido Rivalry
The unveiling of the theme for the 2015 edition of Calabar Carnival over the weekend in Lagos was truly glamorous and colourful. This was as a result of those who graced the occasion.
The event, which took place at the Oriental Hotel in Lekki, was attended by Governor Ben Ayade, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, Mr Ibu, Waje, Mo Abudu, Patoranking, Blackie, Olu Maintain, KCee, Enyinna Nwigwe, Elvis Chuks, amongst others.
Ayade revealed that the theme of this year's event will be 'Climate Change' and promised to make it better.
Calabar Carnival holds in December and several activities have been lined up to make it interesting and memorable.
The governor urged all to be a part of this year's festival, revealing that carnival bands from 14 countries will be performing this year, stating that the notable children carnival has been repackaged to take the form of family funfair.
He surprised many when he invited all the Beauty Queens at the event to the stage, and enlisted them automatically as members of a new band called the Governor's Band. “Irrespective of their states of origin, they represent the beauty, elegance, style and class of the average Cross River youth,” said the governor.
The Cross River helmsman who also announced plans to set up 'the biggest garment factory' in Nigeria on December 15, said there is need to localise the production of the costumes used during the event, as a business angle to the festival.
He assured of security, praising the State as having the lowest crime rate in Nigeria. “Our people are emotional stable and content with what they have. However, is full team of security will be mobilised for the festival,” he said.
Also speaking at the occasion, Ita-Giwa, who is the leader of the Seagull Band, noted that like others, she was initially worried about the disposition of the new government in the State to the festival, but that the governor has allayed all fears
“When Donald was leaving, we thought that would be the end of the Carnival,” she said. “But when Imoke came in, he took the carnival a notch higher. With time, the carnival also became capital intensive, but despite the challenges, Imoke managed to keep it going. When Professor Ayade came, the same fear was entertained, but with what you are all witnesses to this evening, it is obvious the Carnival can only get better.”
The Calabar Carnival was first started by former governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke in 2004.