Ita-Giwa, Duke drum support for 2016 Calabar Festival

A former Senator, Florence Ita-Giwa and wife of the former governor of Cross Rivers, Owanari Duke and other stakeholders have drummed more support for the 2016 edition of Calabar festival holding next month. Ita-Giwa who spoke during a pre-carnival masque party held at Eko Hotel, Lagos organised by OKHMA Global Limited – a marketing consulting firm based in Lagos and the Lead Marketing Company for the carnival, said the 2016 edition of the festival would bring a fresh offering for tourists across the globe. She said the festival which has gone beyond a mere tourism festival where people come to dance has become a platform to address developmental issues such as climate change among others. She said the festival has become intellectual engaging, provides an opportunity to show efforts of the government to look beyond oil and sell Calabar to the world. According to her, this year’s edition is also going to showcase food festival where various foods from Cross Rivers would be showcased to the world. “Food festival is a new production in the festival. This year we are going to showcase what we know best at Calabar. We are inviting Africa. It’s not easy to sustain it in the last eleven years it’s not just about dancing masking. The carnival also addresses issues. Last year we looked at climate change. It is intellectually engaging,” she said

Also, Duke said the festival presents a lot of travel, business opportunities for brands and has the entire requirement needed by foreigners who want to book for a flight, hotel either as an individual, corporate or families. “We are very happy to kickoff with this opening. This December all roads will be leading to Calabar. We invite everyone to choose their bands, register with whichever colour they want. They can decide to be part of any group which we call a band. There are lots of travel and business opportunities in this part of Nigeria. We have ever requirement needed by foreigners right from flight booking to a hotel for individuals, families and business groups. We adequate security,” she said.