Cross River Info Commissioner Sues For Positive Interpretation of Carnival Theme

Barr (Mrs) Rosemary Archibong, Cross River State Commissioner of Information and Orientation 

By Kinglsey Agim

The Commissioner for Information & Orientation, Barr. (Mrs.) RoseMary Effiom Archibong has charged participating bands to render positive interpretations to the theme of the 2017 edition of the Carnival Calabar.

The Information & Orientation boss gave the charge during the official flagging-off of the first dry run for the 2017 edition of the Carnival Calabar. She spoke at the Seagull Band’s muster point, Effio-Ette Junction, Calabar.

According to Mrs. Archibong: “It is another season of the internationally acclaimed Carnival Calabar. It is part of the global tourism calendar; and today, marks the commencement of the build-up to the big gest street party in the world.”

The Commissioner who revealed that the Carnival Calabar is rated as one of the best globally, pointed out that this year’s edition would be bigger, bolder and better, in line with Governor, Ben Ayade’s vision, adding that the governor, who is always poised to add value to all endeavours, has taken the annual fiesta to a pedestal of no mean standard.

“And this year, our very digital, supersonic and proactive Governor, Sen. (Prof.) Ben Ayade has themed this 2017 edition ‘Migration’. So I want to urge the bands to churn out very knowledgeable and robust interpretations of the governor’s dream,” the Commissioner stated.

At the Masta Blasta Band where she belongs, Mrs. Archibong urged members to put in their best this year so as to clinch the coveted first prize.

In his remarks, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Community Relations, Hon. Vincent Obi Dibang, who supported the Commissioner flag-off the Seagull Band first dry run 2017, assured Cross Riverians, residents and potential guests that adequate modalities have been put in place to ensure the success of this year’s fiesta.

The Carnival Calabar fiesta, created since 2004 as part of the vision of making Cross River State the number one tourism destination in the world, has today become “Africa’s Biggest Street Party”, with this year’s edition promising to add value to the lives of the citizenry through its theme “Migration”.

The 2017 Carnival Calabar first dry run was flagged-off simultaneously for all competing and non-competing bands at their muster points, with the Governor, Sen. Ben Ayade, represented by his deputy, Prof. Ivara Ejemot Esu and the Minister of Information & Culture, Alhaji Lai Muhammed, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry, Mrs. Grace Isu Gekpe flagging-off the Bayside Band at the Millennium Park.

 The Carnival which begins every 1st December and last till 31st December, has boosted the cultural mosaic of Nigerian people, while entertaining millions of spectators within and outside the State and boosting industry for all stakeholders.
There was glitz, glamour and mirthfulness as the bands rehearsed excitedly to the admiration of teeming onlookers.