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Okhma Global retains marketing right for Calabar Carnival 2017

By Margaret Mwantok
23 September 2017   |   4:21 am
Following the success recorded over the years, Cross River State Carnival and Festivals Commission has announced the retention of Okhma Global, a Lagos base marketing communications consultancy...

Governor, Cross River State, Prof Ben Ayade (2nd right) with Managing Director, Okhma Global, Mary Ephraim (left); Special Adviser to the Governor and Chairman Carnival and Festival Committee, Ken Aklah, and Chairman Carnival Commission, Gabe Onah at the unveiling of Okhma Global as marketing firm for the Calabar Carnival in Cross River

Following the success recorded over the years, Cross River State Carnival and Festivals Commission has announced the retention of Okhma Global, a Lagos base marketing communications consultancy, as the marketing rights owners saddled with the responsibility of leading the sponsorship and marketing drive for the 13th edition of the Calabar Carnival and Festival.

The retention marks Okhma’s third year on the Calabar Carnival account. The company will continue with its responsibilities, which include increasing the revenue accruable from marketing and provide public relations consultancy/advisory; strategy implementation, media content creation, production, advertising and sponsorship/partnership acquisitions.

According to Chairman of the Carnival Commission, Mr Gabe Onah, the quality of services we have received from Okhma over the last three years has been unrivalled, adding that the company have not only tried to raise the carnival and festival stakes with sponsors and our other stakeholders, but have also added outstanding value by enhancing some of the already existent offerings within the carnival platform.

He noted the company have also helped in creating new platforms that are not only reflective of the present times, but also fine-tuned them to meet the sponsorship and brand association aspirations of many participating companies, while attracting new ones.

Onah explained the carnival and festival, over the years has grown to become Africa’s biggest and most successful tourism destination brand. He added that the 2017 Calabar Carnival and Festival is themed, ‘Migration’, as announced by the governor, Prof. Ben Ayade at the end of the last edition in 2016.

Gov. Ayade had during the unveiling of the theme said, “I believe, as a young people in government, we have the responsibility to reconstruct the story of Africa, to point the present and coming generation to a new direction, a place where we celebrate the fullness of our humanity and heritage as a people and show the world those unique talents and God-given gifts that makes us the cynosure of eyes across the globe. There is no need for us to seek solutions to challenges elsewhere when those solutions are right here at home.”

Onah further explained that in line with governor Ayade’s dream of turning Cross River state into the economic and tourism hub in West Africa, the state governments has set the target of attracting over five million tourists to the state to experience the thrills and frills of the month long festival.

Managing Director, Okhma, Mary Ephraim said, “This year our marketing concepts will explore the theme- migration. The campaign thrust is tagged Further, Faster and Broader. It seeks to stimulate and inspire people to focus more in exploring opportunities in Africa.”

“We intend to place emphasis on time and speed. The earlier Africa awakens to its social, cultural and economic obligations, the easier it becomes to meet set development goals our culture and diversity which represents our strength,” she added.

Ephraim stated that there is also the launch of a new theme song written and produced by Cobhams Asuquo, featuring mega stars such as Banky W, Sammy Okposo, Iyanya and others, all illustrious sons of Cross-River State. She adds that a pre-carnival party in Lagos featuring Martell, Pernod Ricard brand in November, will herald the 2017 Carnival Calabar and Festival.

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