Carnival Calabar Commission has set stage for a grand 2024 event with unveiling of the theme of the event, timetable for programmes, partnerships and other activities lined for the 2024 event on time.

The unveiling of 2024 theme, ‘Our shared prosperity’ and many other activities lined up for the grand event is a clear indication that the 2024 edition will be a bang.

With this move, the participants, guests, tourists, and others now know what to expect in December as Africa’s biggest street keeps the momentum of unrivalled entertainment going.

Unveilling activities and the theme of the memorable event in Lagos on Monday, the Chairman of the Carnival Calabar Commission, Sir Gabe Onah who was flanked by other Carnival team members from the state noted that the impact of the Carnival is very huge as it promotes peace which is the most important thing for the state.

Onah stated that the Carnival has created over 50,000 direct jobs in the tourism sector .

Chairman of the Carnival Commission stated further that the hotel rooms have grown astronomically in the state.

He thanked Yanga Loto and others partners for associating with the Carnival, adding that the Commission will continue looking for more partners.

Onah said the people of Cross River sees the Carnival as their own oil and will not let it die.

Commenting also, the consultant to Carnival Calabar, Mary Ephraim Egbas
noted that the Carnival is a good representation of what is good in Nigeria.

Mrs Egbas said the Carnival has been playing a major role in shaping the musical careers of Nigeria’s major musicians .

She added that the state is going to invest more in grooming young music talents in the state.

Egbas pointed out that there is shared love, shared values, shared prosperity’ among things things the participants are expected to gain from the Carnival.

Speaking during the press briefing, Ambassador Ikechi Uko, the Carnival Calabar international consultant noted that the Carnival is a very good product that does not mix entertainment with religion or any other things.

He said the Carnival plays a very crucial and social roles in activating Nigeria’s culture.

Uko gave reasons why Carnival Calabar remains the only Government event started 20 years ago that is still surviving, while other federal and State Carnivals in Lagos, Abuja and Rivers have all stopped.

Institutional memory: He explained that nost of the Leaders of the Carnival have been there for a long time and now know how the cookie crumbles.

According to him, keeping the team together over the years have kept the Carnival in Place. As every other state event ended with change of personnel.

He also listed the people’s buy in, saying the People of Cross River owned the project and will do everything in their Power to protect it.

In the area of diversity, Uko stated that the event is non-religious,non political and all inclusive.

There is no attempt to exclude anyone, then the quest for excellence made the state to hire the best from anywhere and everywhere, he stated.

Commenting also, Mr Effiong Ekpeyong, Special Adviser, Events Management and Tourism Development, Governor’s Office said the Carnival would kick off with lightening of Christmas trees in the city.

He said the carnival will start on Dec. 1 with HIV AIDs walk day to the festival village and the official opening of the carnival.

“Each day of the carnival will be an experience, we will feature comedy night, reggae night, boat regatta at the Marina Resort Waterfront, barbecue night and more.

“We will feature a mega concert where A list Nigerian artistes will perform for free and we have a mini theme known as “Sweetness Continues”,” he said.

Speaking also, Mr Austine Cobham, Executive Secretary, Carnival Commission stated that the Carnival would be a 32-day event.

Cobham said ahead of the 32-day carnival, the first dry run heralding the carnival would hold Oct. 20, the second dry run would be on Nov. 2 while the third and final dry run would hold Dec. 8.

“The cultural carnival would hold on Dec 26, as well as the Kings and Queens performance; the children carnival, now called the junior carnival will take place on Dec 27, the carnival calabar known as Africa’s biggest street party will be on Dec. 28, Bikers Parade will hold Dec 29 while the street party will be on Dec. 30,” he said.

According to the Executive Secretary, the Power Week Starts on the 26th of December with the Cultural Carnival, same day for the Kings and Queens Night. The Junior Carnival on the 27th of December and the Pageant of Humanity. The Grand Street Carnival will be on the 28th. The Bikers Carnival will be on the 29th. The Marian Street Party will be on the 30th.

The event was attended by some of the Carnival sponsors, partners and other stakeholders.