By Frank Ulom
Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State has today, Friday 16 August 2019, declared the Carnival Calabar 2019 theme, titled “Humanity” – challenging mankind that every human being has a right to existence.
Speaking at the Exco chamber of the governor’s office, the governor said the participating bands must play out the theme of the 2019 carnival so the carnival doesn’t lose its value.
According to him the intellectual content of the carnival should be beyond dance where it must pass a strong message that would make the world a better place for humanity.
To this end, he stated that the story should be stronger than the impulse of the carnival.
On the importance of the theme of humanity, Ayade said animals are becoming more human while humans are becoming more animalistic.
An agitated governor Ayade, who was obviously saddened by man’s inhumanity to man, further echoed “it is the animal in you that denies you the sensibility to that neighbour that can’t send his child to school. Don’t be a source of pain to another person’s life.
Governor Ayade, who also said artificial barriers are all created by humanity expressed bitterness that the dreaded Ebola is a man-made disease instigated by the discovery of wealth.
In her submission at the event, former first lady, Mrs Onari Duke, who spoke on behalf of all the participating bands said the theme is insightful and would challenge the academia like never before.
According to her, this deep message is something that will go across the world.
She thanked the governor for the theme and his commitment to making the carnival bigger and better.
