By Frank Ulom
Over six million (6,000,000) people from across the world are currently in the city of Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria for the Carnival Calabar 2018.
This year’s edition dubbed “Africanism” is the 15th edition of the biggest Street Party in Africa since it inception in 2004, a creative innovation by the then governor Donald Duke.
The 2018 edition according to the Chairman of the Carnival Commission, Mr. Gabe Onah features 30 countries including Canada, Brazil, South Africa, Kenya, Ukraine, United States of America, Mexico, Ghana and others.
Findings by THE PARADISE NEWS reveal that over 6 million spectators have graced the Carnival Calabar 2018 so far, a record higher than that recorded in 2016, which was 4 million.
Speaking during the flagging off of the event at the Millennium Park (11-11 Roundabout), Cross River State governor, Prof. Ben Ayade, said the Carnival Calabar 2018 and its theme defines the real Africa, its cultural heritage, beautiful and natural resources.
He said, “Today, Africanism as our theme goes beyond Africa – it talks about Africanism, it talks about making Africa a big centre.
“Africa is such a wonderful continent filled with beautiful people, very diverse culture, and today, we are here to show that truly truly, Africa is a virgin continent; the Western world knows it.”
Ayade added that, “Civilisation started in Africa. Mining started in Africa. Africa has a high value of knowledge and innovation. Today, the African mindset, movement and everything in Africa is here in Cross River State and therefore I use this platform to unveil Africa to the world.
“The Western world was the past, East (Far East Asia) is the present, Africa indeed is the future. Therefore, Africa holds a lot of promise to the world.”
Ayade also presented the current winner of Miss Africa, Miss Dorcas Kasinde of Congo as he declared the long-hours street party open.
Meanwhile, the SSA to Governor Ayade on Event Matters and the Chairman, Technical and Carnival Event Committee, Mr. Ken Aklah, said the theme “Africanism”, is a way of encouraging other Africans to believe in themselves and in what they have.
“Africanism is a way of us saying thank you to God for creating Africa. It’s our way of encouraging Africans to begin to believe in themselves. It’s our own way of trying to draw attention – look at the natural resources that we have, look at the trees that we have, look at the beauty that exists in Africa; so why can’t we believe in ourselves and make Africa better,” Aklah said.