Aisha Buhari, Governors, Diplomats Attend Calabar Carnival; Governor Otu Highlights Global Appeal

The wife of Nigeria’s former President, Hajia Aisha Buhari; her children; the governors of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq, and his Kogi State counterpart, Ahmed Usman Ododo, were on Saturday in attendance at the 2024 Calabar Carnival.

Former governor of the state, Mr. Donald Duke; Minister of State, Industry, Trade and Investment, Senator John Owan Enoh; and representative of Cross River South Senatorial District, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong were also on ground to add colour and glamour to the carnival.

Also in attendance to grace the event were some international diplomats from the United Nations, the European Union and a host of others.

Speaking during the flag-off ceremony of the event at the Millennium Park Calabar, the state capital, the Cross River State Governor, Prince Bassey Otu, said this year’s theme, “Our Shared Prosperity,” remains internationally engaging, considering the global audience in attendance at the event.

“The theme of this year is ‘Our Shared Prosperity.’ That shared prosperity is actually internationally engaging because we have the global audience right here; we have people from all continents of the world right here.

“There is a need to build economic, social, and cultural prosperity into what we are doing for our people to share,” Otu said.

The governor applauded the initiators of the Carnival Calabar, former governor Duke, and former governors Liyel Imoke and Prof. Ben Ayade, saying they took over subsequently, and sustained the event, introducing more participating and non-participating bands into the carnival, which is in its second decade, having been birthed in 2004.

Otu said that his administration would continue to build on, and add value to the event.

He said there is the possibility that next year, a Diaspora band would be introduced into the carnival.

On his part, the Kwara State Governor lauded governor Otu for sustaining, and adding more creativity and style to the event.

AbdulRasaq said that the event puts Nigeria on the map as it is a global event and improves the state’s internally generated revenue.

“This programme puts Nigeria on the map because it is a global event. What we don’t realise is the improved internally generated revenue of the state. If I look at it from the economic angle, not just the cultural angle, you see people talking about spending December in Lagos, but this is here to stay.

“Hopefully, next year, people will need to spend some days in Calabar before going back to Lagos; that is the joy of it all,” AbdulRasaq said.

Also speaking, the governor of Kogi State, praised the leadership of Governor Otu, which he said was evident in the energy and commitment displayed by participants and residents of the state.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Carnival Commission, Mr. Gab Onah, acknowledged the contributions of the sponsors of this year’s edition, among them, Afrexim Bank, MTN, Zenith Bank, Arise, International Energy Insurance Company, DSTV, and First Bank.

Bassey Inyang

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