By: Edem Archibong, Calabar
The Cross River State Governnor, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu has commended the Vision and concept of establishing the Calabar Carnival which have become 20 years in 2025 edition while inviting foreign Investors to come for the event.
This assertion was made in Calabar during the kick off of the 2025 edition 1st Dry Run attended by the different participating bands.
Governnor Otu expressed excitement and optimism about this year’s celebration and describes it as “historic convergence of reconciliation, cultural revival and global attractions for Africa’s biggest Street Party”.
He also attribute the event happening in the state which includes the reconciliation and unity of the Cross Riverians from Diaspora with the marking of the 20th anniversary of the Calabar Carnival as the will of God.
The 2025 Calabar Carnival with the theme: “Traces of Time” is the symbol of two decades of evolving Creativity, resilience and cultural excellence ahead of the grand finale of the rehearsals and route testing by December.
Although the attendance of the 2025 1st Dry Run was relatively very poor as compared with other past years but it is hope that this year Calabar Carnival is expected to gather momentum mostly due to the arrival of members of the Diasporas who are already in the state.
It is also expected that the government of Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu will urgently attend to the poor condition of sanitation and roads network along the Carnival routes which requires prompt attention.
