New level for Carnival Calabar as 13-member committee sets to review event after 20 years

Carnival Calabar, Africa’s largest street party, is set for a new level as the Cross River State government appoints a 13-member committee to review and assess the impact of Carnival Calabar and the Annual Festival.

The review is coming after 20 years of successful hosting of the carnival and in line with the efforts of the Bassey Edet Out-led administration to enhance government policies and cultural initiatives for sustainability and far reaching impact on the people and the economy.

The committee, which is chaired by Edem Duke, a former Minister of minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, and leader of the Calas Vegas Carnival Band, features other members including: Onari Duke, former first lady of the state; Florence Ita Giwa, a senator and carnival band lead; Gershom Bassey, a senator, and Chris Agibe.

Other members are: Uyam Ugot; Eric Anderson; Gabe Onah, chairman, Cross River Carnival Commission; Ededem Ani; Johnnie Akpanke; Ikechi Uko, CEO, Akwaaba African Travel Market and the international consultant to the carnival; Esekong Andrew Essien, a professor and Owan-Eno, a professor as the secretary of the committee.

The committee will conduct a comprehensive evaluation to refine and improve the event’s concept and also ensure its continued relevance and sustainability.

According to a press release signed by Nsa Gill, chief press secretary to the governor, the review is aimed at improving and refreshing the product in line with global trends in tourism product development and repackaging.

Read also: Cross River counts gains after Carnival Calabar

The terms of reference for the committee include: A review of the past 20 years to identify the high points and the low points; identifying the success factors of the last 20 years; restructuring the bands as a creative entity; exploring organic ways of improving the carnival by making it the people’s cultural expression; initiating the establishment of a carnival museum for the preservation of carnival culture; and advising on the improvement of regulations and organisation to align with world best practices.

The committee is also expected to harness all marketing opportunities to improve carnival funding; devise means of placing Carnival Calabar’s presence on the international roadmap; suggest a roadmap for the next 20 years to guide the operators, and engage relevant stakeholders in arriving at its recommendations.