C’River Gov't Promises Eventful 2023 Carnival Calabar Showpiece 

The Chairman of the Cross River State Carnival Commission, Mr Gabe Onah, has disclosed the Commission’s readiness to showcase its best during the 2023 Carnival Calabar. 

This is coming a week after the Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, unveiled the 2023 edition's theme 'Season of Sweetness' during the annual Akwaaba event in Lagos. 

Onah who disclosed this during a meeting with the newly constituted members of the Commission in Calabar, Tuesday, averred that the highly anticipated sponsored fame event will this year witness unprecedented outing in contents and offerings.

"We desire that Cross Riverians and indeed Nigerians, get ready for the fireworks that they are known to offer to the world.

"With the theme already unveiled as season of sweetness, coupled with our collaboration with the Brazilian Embassy, we would improve on quality of finished works from our costumes to wire bending to the floats on the road

"I am particularly pleased because, the calibre of persons around me offers so much for the future given their past endeavours and we are hopeful that nothing but the best planning and execution will come out of these capable individuals.

"For His Excellency to have also reintroduced some of the strong products and items of the carnival after a holistic review; ranging from the children’s carnival, the night of the Kings and Queens and of course the water show which is the boat regatta, it should announced to you that this year’s event will be bigger and more colourful," Onah assured

Justifying the Governor’s moves to reposition the Commission, the Chairman said, as part of strategies to rejig the sector, there will be more offerings for sponsors who are willing to come and take up opportunities for the visibility of their goods and services, noting that, such sponsors will be treated with the best show ever.

"I’m elated to welcome the fire brand new members of the commission and the executive secretary to the new look Carnival commission, Mine is to say, we are not going to leave any stone untouched to bring Cross River back to the world," Onah added

Earlier, Commissioner for Tourism, Art and Culture, Hon. Robert Abubarkar Ewa, said "I can assure you that this year’s Carnival Calabar will be different because we are bringing in new ideas, innovations and we are going to do our best by using our superior contacts to scout for sponsorship.

"From our discussion here today, the Commission is more than prepared to tackle the challenges ahead and give us a good show this year.

"I can assure our sponsors that they won’t have cause to regret if they partner us," Ewa remarked.

Executive Secretary of the Commission, Evangelist Austin Cobham, maintained that they will have no excuse if they do not deliver on their mandate to give the world a great show given the composition of the commission.

He disclosed that in addition to products reintroduced is the essay competition which is to sustain the academic component of the carnival.

On the deplorable state of internal roads especially on the carnival route, the Secretary explained that the roads as well as streets lighting will wear a new look as only these are good for the carnival.

"It is the first time we will see a government who just walked in and already has released theme for the carnival. This has not been experienced before and he is willing and ready to engage us and has already put us to work.

"I tell you that we are sure to deliver as we welcome the world to Calabar for 2023 carnival," he assured.

Head of Media & Marketing, Ms Grace-Ann Nku said, We have a public private partnership model that has been introduced as we open our doors for sponsorship and we are encouraging prospective sponsors to avail themselves of great opportunity to showcase their goods and services.

"We have started wide range consultation with the Nollywood and the United Nations and we are optimistic that this year’s event will attract more sponsorship.

"This is our uniqueness and we must show its best form to the world this year. It’s going to be fireworks as the multiplying effect will be humongous to the ordinary persons on the street," Odey explained.