Gov Otu Flags Off 3rd Carnival Dry Run, Describes Theme As Apt

By Ndifreke BASSEY

The Cross River State governor, Senator Bassey Otu, has flagged off 3rd Carnival Dry Run, describing the 2023 theme as apt.

Speaking at the Millennium Park in Calabar while flagging off this year's third dry run ahead of the carnival, Otu said the theme is also apt because after a tough season a season will definitely come where people will smile and this represents that season.

"This particular theme came as a result of almost all the other themes which captures the carnival from inception.

"After COVID-19, there was a total breakdown and people were so disillusioned.

"After that, the Carnival has been trying to pick up and never really picked up.

"Whether people like it it not, after a season of very tough situation, hunger and other things there will actually come a season where people are going to smile and fortunately this is that season and people are going to smile", the governor said.

The governor added that preparations for this edition of the Carnival as can be seen from the dry runs is massive.

He said all hotels are out and the world is going to see Cross River State.

He welcomed tourists and visitors across the world to the 2023 carnival saying they will enjoy the hospitality of Calabar  and see the real destination of tourism as far as Nigeria is concerned.

The third dry run marks, which marks the end of preparations for the carnival celebration, was   graced by a former federal minister of culture and tourism, High Chief Edem Duke, and state commissioner for tourism Abubakar Ewa.