21 states, varsities showcase culture at Calabar Carnival

The garden city of Calabar went agog on Wednesday when 21 states showcased their native cultures in colour and style at this year’s Calabar Cultural Festival.

Also, the rich culture of Cross River State was brought to the fore as the 18 local councils of the state paraded their beautiful costumes. The event attracted over 4,000 participants across the country, who danced vigorously to the drums beats amid cheers from the enthusiastic crowd.

Speaking at the Millennium Park, venue of parade ground, the state governor, Senator Ben Ayade, said: “The Calabar Cultural Carnival was the beginning of the unification of Nigeria as a continent’s giant.”

According to him, “The cultural festival is the celebration of the African culture, a kind of harmony and the high rhythm of the entire culture that constitutes the epic centre of the true black man.

“As the Americans take full control of technology, Africa is leading in culture and hopefully we shall catch up with the rest of the world on technology very soon.”

To add spice to the carnival, many universities across the country joined in the maiden edition of Youth Carnival. The Youth Carnival, which replaced the Children Carnival, as part of the biggest street party in Africa, was kicked off on Monday by the governor.

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Prof. Ivara Esu, said: “We are celebrating the true spirit of the youth, a spirit that is aimed at getting young minds out of cultism and other vices, but rather bring them into mental alertness.”

Chairman, Carnival Commission, Mr. Gabe Onah, disclosed that the governor took the Children Carnival back to the shelves, in order to re-organise same, bearing in mind that the Youth Carnival is designed for the future.

Universities that graced the maiden edition of the Youth Carnival were Nasarawa State University, Cross River State University of Technology, University of Port Harcourt, University of Calabar, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, and University of Uyo, among others.