Paradise News

Category: Tourism

  • History of Carnival Calabar, It Bands & more

    (Updated October, 2023.)

    By Frank Ulom

    As the day draws closer to this year’s Carnival Calabar and Festival, THE PARADISE NEWS has decided to run a history of the biggest street event in Africa including its participating bands.

    History of Carnival Calabar:

    The Carnival Calabar also known as Calabar Carnival and Calabar Festival has been a game changer for the economy of Cross River state and its people since its inception in 2004, when the then governor of the state, Donald Duke, had a vision of making the state the hub for tourism and hospitality in Nigerian and in Africa.

    Calabar has become the pride of Nigeria as far as tourism, carnival and hospitality are concerned. Calabar Carnival is a unique display of African heritage, showcased through music, dance, drama and visual creativity, which is reflected in the design of floats, costumes and make-up. Since its inception, this festival has grown tremendously in popularity and scope.

    It is not uncommon to now have families choosing Calabar as their tourism destination for their annual Christmas break which has made the carnival grow in leaps and bounds.

    The event is already in its 18th edition and counting with more bands being inculcated into the event. So far, there are 5 competitive and other non-competitive bands participating in every edition. The Carnival adopts a theme every year to complement the activities of the event. Theme’s like; Green Carnival, Ain’t No Support Us, Migration, Africanism, Humanity, Climate Change, etc., have been adopted in recent years. In 2015 & 2016, Climate Change (aka Green Carnival) was used as it signifies the effort the State is using to keep its large forest to help reduce global warming.

    PROGRAMMES:

    The programmes are drafted each year by the Carnival Commission Board of the state and each year, new activities are inculcated into the plan. In 2009, the ‘Carnival Cup’ a football competition was organised amongst the five Carnival Bands which are; Seagull, Passion 4, Masta Blasta, Bayside and Freedom Bands.

    The festivals also include music performances from both national and international artists which are the likes of the late Lucky Dube, Fat Joe, Young Jeezy, Nelly, Kirk Franklin, 2Face Idibia (now @Baba), P-Square (Now Mr. P and Rude Boy), Kizz Daniel, Iyanya, etc. The festival also embodies performances such as the Fashion Show (Calabar Fashion Show introduced in 2016), Beauty pageant (Miss Africa introduced in 2016), Boat Regatta, Christmas Village, Traditional Dances and the Annual Ekpe Festival is a yearly event that brings in Revelers to the state.

    Carnival Calabar Themes:

    From 2004 till date, the Carnival has adopted different and unique themes to match the activities of the year. Apart from the themes being unique, the event also plays its role accordingly.

    2008 Theme: Sustaining Earth Treasures through Our Culture
    2009 Theme: Land of our Birth, Our People, Our Heritage
    2010 Theme: Our Strength and Resilience; the Bedrock of Our Future
    2011 Theme: Endless Possibilities
    2012 Theme: The New Dawn
    2013 Theme: Ain’t No Stopping Us
    2014 Theme: Celebration Time
    2015 Theme: Climate Change
    2016 Theme: Climate Change – Bigger, Bolder, Better
    2017 Theme: Migration
    2018 Theme: Africanism
    2019 Theme: Humanity
    2022 Theme: Agro-Industrialisation
    2023 Theme: Season of Sweetness

    Carnival Calabar 2019

    Below are the participating Carnival Bands, their origins and what they signify.

    Competitive Bands

    1. Bayside Band:

    Bayside Band is one of the five Carnival Bands registered in the annual Christmas Festival of Cross River State of Nigeria. Membership in the Band is open to all Nigerians and foreigners. The Band is easily identified by its characteristic and distinctive aquamarine colour.

    Bayside Band is a corporate body with charity and sustenance of carnival parades as its objectives. Its corporate structure comprises a 7-member Advisory Board and an administrative office headed by a Program Manager. The control and management of the Band is vested in the Advisory Board which meets quarterly to consider all transactions relating to the band. Funding of the Band is derived from membership contributions, and gains of year-round entertainment activities which include but are not limited to theatre shows and orchestra.

    Leader: H. E. Donald Duke (Former Governor)
    Band Color: Blue
    Contact Person: Austine Cobham
    Phone Number: 08037264860
    Website: http://baysideband.org

    2. Seagull Band:

    Seagull Band is one of the Carnival Bands registered in 2005 for the Cross River State annual Christmas festival. It is the most stylish and coordinated body with the main objective of promoting and sustaining the Tourism and Hospitality industry and at large, to enhance the status of the underprivileged through charity. The band display the African Culture through aesthetics, talents and innovation, paraded annually during the Carnival.

    Seagull Band is identified by its eye-catching distinctive colour – red and maintains a defined hierarchical structure it is the band that recognises and celebrates our own Nigerians and other artists, movie stars and beauty queens. The band is under the dynamic and charismatic leadership of the vibrant distinguished Sen. (Princess) Florence Ita-Giwa (OON) who is ably assisted by Mrs. Affiong Effiom (Fulbright School) Lecturer in Theatre and Media Studies, University of Calabar, Nigeria.

    3. Freedom Band:

    Freedom Band which is identified with the colour Yellow; was founded by Capt. Henry Brisibe and Mr. Larry Esin in 2005. Since its establishment, the band has consistently been among the best three in all previous editions of the Carnival Calabar event. His Excellency, Barr. Efiok Cobham, the Former Deputy Governor of Cross River State, is presently the grand patron of the band.

    4. Masta Blasta Band:

    The Masta Blasta Band also known as “The Orange Family“, is the largest & most entertaining of the 5 principal bands of the annual Carnival Calabar.

    The Masta Blasta Band was established in December 2005. Also known as the “Orange Family”, the band has a membership base of over 10, 000 members from all over the world. They are the largest and most entertaining of all the 5 competing bands on parade during the annual Carnival Calabar (the largest street party in Africa).

    The band has evolved over the years to become a brand name of choice and reference point, through the charismatic leadership of the band leader in the person of Chief Senator Gershom Bassey, Senator representing Cross River State Southern district. The Masta Blasta Band is the only band that accommodates and caters for the “belonging” needs of all segments of society. Their all-inclusive approach to the Carnival Calabar encourages an enviable synergy between family, and friends and embraces the participation of both local and international visitors to the joys of taking part in an international carnival parade.

    The Orange Family is currently the overall champion of the 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 Carnival Calabar. They are on record, as the only band that has won the most prices in all categories of the competition within a single year, in the entire history of the Calabar Carnival.

    5. Passion 4

    Passion 4 is the most successful band in Carnival Calabar, having been nine edition Champions and two edition first runners-up in the sixteen years of the existence of the competition aspect of the carnival. Passion 4 has been declared as Africa’s most outstanding band by all its adjudicators as the band continues to grow in creativity, organisation and style in Africa’s biggest street party.

    Passion 4 whose former leader and founder’, Mr Chris Agibe who also served as the former Executive Secretary of the Cross River State Carnival Commission has a new band leader called Barr. Attah Ochinike, the Attorney General and former Commissioner for Justice of Cross River State.

    Passion 4 which is also the green band is the only band that creates a level playing field for children and adults to have fun. The band is every sponsor’s ideal platform for partnership and the mileage we offer is next to none.

    On October 16, 2022, two more competitive bands were introduced by Governor Ben Ayade during the first dry run. The two new bands are the Calas Vegas Band and Diamond Band.

    Non-competitive Bands:

    The non-competitive bands, most of which were introduced recently, include;

    1. Wise Up Band:

    The Wise Up Band was created in 2016 on the verge of taking the HIV/AIDS campaign to the streets and as to reduce the rate of catastrophic disease by 2030, a date range set by the United Nations and World Health Organisation.

    The Band has top sponsors including; the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Mediatrix Development Foundation (MDF). Other MDAs and Sponsors include; the Office of the Wife of the Governor of Cross River State, Education for Vaccine (Eva), Excellence Community Education Welfare Scheme (ECEWS), State Agency for Control of AIDS (SACA), Cross River State Ministry of Health, Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency, UNICEF, fhi360, LOPIN 3, Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN) and many others.

    2. Hit FM Band

    Hit FM band is a newly integrated band and with what they have in stock, they may be one of the most curative bands in the near future. Known for its Entertainment and Music, Hit FM Band is owned by Hit 95.9 FM Calabar and is among the registered bands in 2016.

    3. CNS Band

    CNS band is of the Nigerian Navy and is the first military/force band to participate in the Carnival Calabar since the event’s creation in 2004. The band is incorporated to show the love the service has for the development of tourism in Nigeria. CNS band was created in 2016 and discontinued the same year.

    4. Governor’s Band

    The Governor’s Band was created in 2015 and has its leader as Senator Professor Ben Ayade, Executive Governor of Cross River State. Members of the band consist of the Governor, his Wife, Dr. (Mrs.) Linda Ayade, the Legislative Council and all dignitaries of the Cross River State Government.

    THE PARADISE NEWS will keep you updated for more introductions as soon as possible. Thanks.

  • CRSG replaces Children’s Carnival with new Fun Packages

    Previous version of Children’s Carnival

    The Special Adviser, Event Management, Governor’s Office, Hon. Ken Aklah, has promised a fun packed festival for children at Christmas for the 2016 carnival Calabar.

    Aklah stated this during the defence of the 2016 revised budget exercise organized by the Cross River State House of Assembly committee on finance and appropriation
    The Special Adviser pointed that arrangements are in top gear with Nickelodeon to cover the children activities for one week which will b held at the Tinapa resort and will be broadcast live each day.

    Aklah, however assured that all the sponsors to the children’s festival activities are still willing, like Dangote group of companies among others.


    Explaining why the reasons state government is considerate to children being exposed to the hard weather conditions during past street children’s carnivals.

    The Special Adviser, informed the Cross River House of Assembly that the 2016 Christmas village will be relocated to the Calabar Municipal Ground to allow the environment of the botanical garden within the State Forestry commission to regenerate itself and also to allow easy accessibility to the Calabar municipal ground.


    In response to the presentation by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Event Management, the Chairman, Finance and Appropriation committee Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Eteng Jonah Williams observed that some important and vital programmes and activities were not included in the 2016 appropriation budget hence, the need by MDAs for the adjustments.

  • Cross River Speaker welcomes TED to Cross River State

    Speaker, Cross River State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. John Gaul Lebo has said it is time to move away from individual ideas into a convergence of collective community intelligence to avoid economic crisis.

    The Speaker bared his mine while responding to a team from Technology Entertainment Design led by the Organization’s licensee/Lead Organizer, Bryce Edem, who said they were in the Speaker’s office to seek the support of the State legislators.

    Lebo said, ‘’We need a leader that will bring Nigerians into a convergence, seat and talk one on one with those who have the skills and intellectual capacity in various areas to drive and diversify the economy’’.

    He maintained that the biggest partnership in the world is when Government is partnering youths, private sector, private individuals and organizations and that since the World economy is knowledge driven, Nigeria had gotten herself into resection because she first chose intellectual resection due to lack of capacity to generate the ideas that should hold together the framework and the fibber of the Nigerian economy.


    The law maker argued, ‘Let’s not deceive ourselves. we use to say, Nigeria’s economy is the largest economy in Africa, but that’s not true because, Johannesburg stock exchange which is $34 billion is the same amount Nigeria was having in foreign reserve five years ago. So, we are not the biggest economy. The Nigerian economy is run on what I will call ‘’single line intelligent fibber’’ which is working on one intelligent regime (Oil and revenue mobilization), collect money from Oil, share it to the States. Now that there is no more money for us to share, we have gotten ourselves into recession’’
    He commended TED for considering Cross River State, describing their programme as innovative and therefore, called for it to be supported by Government, the private sector and individuals, promising to partner them to enhance knowledge capacity.

    Earlier, the leader of the team, Bryce Edem, said that Technology Entertainment and Design (TED) is a platform where ideas are generated and showcased, adding that TED is one of the foremost platforms in the world that is supporting changing initiatives; ideas worth spreading and adding value to the society.

    Edem, in addition said TED has been licensed to operate in Calabar with an inaugural event slated to hold from 3rd to 16th of December with the objectives of driving the people of the State to ideas evolution. ‘’It is time for Crossriverans to rise up and join the world ideas evolution and Nigeria as a whole and we are starting from Calabar being the First Capital of Nigeria.

  • ITM Ugep and Governor Ayade’s Signature Projects (Must Read)

    We need to reform our Environment to reform our minds and build our attitudes far from Wild Empty Political based Criticism. Institution of Technology and Management, ITM Ugep and Ayade’s Signature Projects.

    Cross Riverians, we cannot gain growth, looking at our problems alone without thinking about solutions. We cannot achieve development with our minds and brain set on outlining internal problems instead of thinking outside the box to getting possible growth solutions.

    Nothing is impossible until we set our minds to make them impossible. We must live away from political mind-sets in handling our economic problems. President Obama once said, “Nigeria is not suffering from economic crisis but from information brain drain.”

    Truly today, to a greater extent, Cross River and indeed Nigeria is facing Educational Crisis and an enlightenment crisis, more than an Economic Crisis. Politics is playing tricks on us. The youth want to be relevance by any crocked means whatsoever, since the older generations have refused to change along with time.

    So many causes contribute to our financial crisis in the state and Nation at large. Apart from lack of True Financial education, another very important cause of our economic turmoil is a concept called ‘accelerating acceleration.’

    “Acceleration of Change,” another author puts it. Why are there so many failures in our schools? Robert Kiyosaki said, “Schools fail students simply because the school system cannot keep pace with change.”

    In today’s world of accelerating acceleration, what is new today may be obsolete in less than two years. While the youth hunger for the change acceleration to meet with the pace of time, our educational programmes and methods are stagnant. Most schools and teachers are too far behind to understand the longings of our teaming youth population.

    It is not surprising therefore, that, many students are diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorders. Boredom takes over their mental faculty and with the real world around them offering no opportunities to use their talents and natural skills right, Negative thoughts and native ways of fighting boredom sets in. Cultism and other negative vices take over our being. The political class take advantage to keep the young from growing, therefore, keeping themselves permanently in power or fighting the government that fails to favour them, fuel and finance negative environments.

    The Nigeria Educational system foundation was founded based on Agrarian Age, marginally updated for the Industrial Age. “What is lacking today is the ability of our school system to serve today’s kids living in a fast-paced, ever changing Information-Age society.”

    Entrepreneurs such as Steve Jobs and Bill Gates have turned every home, rich or poor, first world or third world, into a first-rate university, yet these persons are school drop-outs.

    Oprah Wnfrey found her genius on television. Thomas Edison found his genius in his laboratory. Tiger Woods found his genius on the golf course. And the Beatles found their genius in a nightclub. These geniuses never finished school.

    Governor Ben Ayade’s signature projects therefore, are timely, precise and in accord with the times. Why? Because they technologically reform the Environment, Improve and Expand our talents and skills towards an industrial growth based society. Creates Opportunities and drives our minds to meet with the accelerated change.

    These Signature Projects are the only live wires to keep Cross River State economy running. From the world class ITM Ugep with world class facilities needing Power and the most demanding Information Age equipment, with a monthly recurrent cost of about N100 million, to the CICC, TINAPA, and all our Tourism potential Capital ventures.

    It is sad for some persons to look at our Collapsing Recession Economy and only pick negatively on the cracking points instead addressing best reinforcements method.
    This is time to put to work our wealth of experience, be it in any discipline, educated or non-educated. Leaders are like the Stem of a Tree, without the leaves producing the necessary life wires from Sunlight, the whole Tree Dies.

    Cross Riverians, we need to put our foot on the paddle of growth and work along Governor Ayade to create the change we need to carry on.

  • Calabar Garment Factory Commences Production (Photos)

    By Eval Asikong

    This is an indication that in the range and scale of our conquest, unemployment and poverty have been brought beneath heels of our might, and a tiny unit known as Cross River rises to the height of economic power with an ascension to the pedestal of industrial blast. We no longer fear of the future for the uncertainty it holds because of the confidence we build today.

    With the rise of both conventional and service industries within our soil, we shall be positioned as an emerging sub-national economy with massive supply of products and services with a complementary reputation of being one of the biggest importers of labour. This is how we shield our state from global and national revenue shocks, while we navigate the course of wealth explosion..

    The patronage of the Nigeria police and Army on our garment factory is going to be very remarkable in shaping the growth process of our economy and re-enforcing our collective confidence as a people; the Calabar/Lagos Railway is a sign that the Deep Seaport Project is a worthy venture, as it will also complement the super-highway in cargo evacuation to Northern Sister states and neighbouring land-locked sovereignty.

    It has become obvious that the Ayade’s economic road map and unique style of statecraft has positioned our dear state in favour of more promising opportunities. Ayade’s most perceived priority is to lead his people to a sublime economic future. This is a divine cause.

    May God save us from the jinx of backwardness and the voodoo of those inclined to the enterprise of devilishment. May he uphold and protect the few of us who only look unto Him. Entreaties sealed with in the Mesiah’s name.

  • Calabar Urban City renewal a scandal?

    There’s been city capping/grassing and canopy of the Calabar, the capital city of Cross River state by the administration of Senator Ben Ayade, Governor of Cross River. But the news we heard is somehow surprising.

    According to Ifere Paul, investigation reports suggested has the Governor of Cross River State, Senator Ben Ayade has approved the contract of urban beautification through the planting of flowers and and landscaping.

    Reports has it that 60 Million Naira was approved by the governor to the Director General of Urban Renewal Agency, Mr Oko Inaku. Upon getting the monies meant for the work, Dr Frank Ayade called to tender a 30 Million Naira to him for no reason whatsoever.

    Mr Oko Inaku has contract to beautify the area around 8 Miles. He is however complaining to his friends about the activities of the governor and his brother Frank Ayade.

    According to the report, Governor Ayade is on his way to clean up the remains of our treasury as December 9th approaches.

    Further information also revealed that Governor Ayade has also put machinery in place to ensure those awarded the SUBEB Contract remits at least half of their mobilization to Frank Ayade.


    See photos from the ongoing project below…

  • Cross River State Govt, Army break ground for Multi Billion Naira Mega City in Calabar

    Governor Ayade (Left), General Buratai (Middle) and Deputy Gov Ivara (Right)

    Cross River State Government, in conjunction with Post service Housing Development limited (PHD), Thursday, performed a groundbreaking ceremony of the Nigerian Army housing scheme in Calabar, in the bid to address the housing needs of retired military personnel. In the same vein, the partnership anchored by New Cities Development Board will also help address the challenges of housing deficit in the state.

    Governor Ben Ayade, performing the groundbreaking, at the occasion, enjoined the company to ensure the design reflects the green and ecofriendly status which Calabar is known for.
    “The focus of the design should be on nature as you have a very rich, organic and pristine soil. We have a wonderful climate, and no matter how sunny, it is never very hot. You couldn’t have made a choice of a better location than Cross River and we are happy that we are partnering with the Nigerian Army.”

    Continuing, the governor stressed the need for the design of the mega city to remain green and ecofriendly in line with international standards where 10 trees are recommended for a single building.
    Reasoning that the choice of Cross River for such an investment was timely, suitable, adequate and consistent with economic principles, Ayade advocated for the integration of the host community, Adiabo in the execution of the project.

    His words: “When you go for groundbreaking ceremony in certain parts of this country, because issues of compensation and land acquisition become a tortuous process, it is almost impossible to get it done within a short time and notice.”

    Governor Ayade further said “the peace and tranquility enjoyed here is a classical testimony to the fact that our people are peace loving, intelligent and therefore we must show respect and cater for the people of Adiabo who are our immediate hosts with particular reference to the Obong of Calabar. Ensure that your landlords remain happy that you are here.”

    Expressing confidence in the doggedness and astuteness of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Yusuf Buratai, to embark on such a project, the governor remarked: “I do know that you have conquered Boko Haram and because God has made you a conqueror, I know you will also conquer this project.”

    Ayade appealed to Buratai to ensure that the Cross River garment factory take the responsibility of providing Army uniforms, considering its state of the art equipment and the need to boost local content.

    Earlier, Chief of Army Staff Gen Tukur Yusuf Buratai who had paid a courtesy call on the governor, assured that he “will continue to lend support to the post service housing development in its drive to provide shelter to both serving and retired military personnel as well as the civil populace to mitigate the housing deficit in the country.”

    Expressing confidence in the company’s ability to replicate efficiency which they have been known to execute projects of this magnitude, the Chief of Army Staff enjoined the public to key into the initiative of the Cross River government.

    To Cross Riverians, Buratai affirmed that “the establishment of a mega estate will be an added boost to the prevailing climate of peace and security which we consider critical for the entrepreneurial and economic resurgence of the state.”

    He further reiterated the commitment of the Nigerian Army to continue to sustain the improvement on the security situation, social and economic activities in the state, adding that “as a major commercial industrial centre in Nigeria, the overall economic prosperity of our nation is substantially tied to what happens in Cross River State.”

    Buratai, who commended Governor Ayade for the return of peace in the state, called on the citizenry to rise to the challenges of collective action for national security by being alert and providing timely information to security agencies for quick response to threats to law and order. River Governor Ben Ayade, Chief Of Army Staff, Buratai Flags Off multi – billion 130 Hectares Post Service Housing Development Tagged “Ayade Mega City” at Tinapa Road Calabar.

    More Photos from the groundbreaking ceremony below…

  • CRS Government poised to provide Housing Scheme for its Citizenry

    The State Government says it is prepared to partner with any firm with the requisite Technology and capabilities to develop quality housing for its civil servants.

    Government position was made known today in Government House when the Deputy Governor, Prof. Ivara Ejemot Esu, OFR , received a delegation of Interworks Ltd & FMX Integrated Services Ltd and MP Engenharia Ltd a Brazilian Company on a courtesy call on him.

    Prof. Esu said, any company interested in Housing Development in the State has a lot to do as government has concluded plans to develop 3-ultra modern cities in the 3-Senatorial Districts of the State.

    The Deputy Governor emphasized that the State is therefore ready to partner any company with new and modern technical know-how in housing development, adding that government of Senator Prof. Ben Ayade is desirous to provide quality housing to its citizenry.

    Accordingly, the Deputy Governor request that a copy of the prototype of the housing projects be made available to him for scrutiny and further necessary action.

    Earlier in his presentation, the leader of the delegation and Chief Executive Officer of InterWorks Limited Lagos, Samuel Obande intimated that they were in the State to seek ways of partnering government in the area of Housing Development programme of the State Government.

    Mr. Obande disclosed that the company which has newly evolved Technology in housing is tested and proven in places like Brazil and other countries with similar terrains to Nigeria and has capacity for the development of over 10000 housing unit for about 150 people a year.

    He expressed interest in the development of the State Government, new cities development projects, assuring that this new technology when applied will meet standard and specification of the State Government.

  • Hollywood Meets Callywood Stars To Feature in 2016 Carnival Calabar – Egor Efiok

    Team of Hollywood stars and some newly discovered callywood damsels will join millions of spectators to display talents at the 2016 Carnival Calabar.

    Director General of Callywood films academy,Egor Efiok disclosed this while presenting the “Image personality Award”‎ given to the Cross River State governor,Ben Ayade to the media and government officials at the Tinapa Lakeside Hotel,Calabar.

    Efiok who received the award onbehalf of the governor in Los Angeles,United State of America (USA) ‎said the publisher and team of Hollywood Magazine have indicated Interest to be part of the 2016 Carnival Calabar and to also screen the Hollywood meets Callywood film during their visit to Calabar.

    ‎”I can confirm to you that the team from the Hollywood have indicated interest to be part of the 2016 Carnival Calabar”she said.

    She said the Hollywood team will lend a helping hands to trains the upcoming artiste during their visit.

    On why they choose governor Ayade to be the fisrt governor in Africa to be honored by the revered Hollywood Magazine Efiok said;

    ” They were very impressed about the work our Governor,His Excellency Senator Prof. Ben Ayade is doing to change Cross River State state to Entertainment hub in africa.

    “Before he got the award he was well profiled and we extensively researched about him and why he was been christened the “Digital Governor” in Cross River State, Nigeria.

    “Hollywood Magazine team was excited in honoring Governor Ayade as the First Governor in Africa to have been so honored.

    “The callywood dream of his excellency to bring hundreds of talents out of their homes in the nooks and cranny of Cross River further touched the Americans” Efiok qouted the publisher of Hollywood Prather Jackson.

    Egor who said the both the Award and special Gift of personalized Fela wine that cost $10,000 (dollars)made by MisEnBouteille for Felabration sponsored by Jay Z shown shown that Hollywood is truly interested in Cross River under Governor Ben Ayade.

    Also speaking at the event, Special Adviser to the ‎Governor on Event Management, Ken Akla said the department had already created a unit for Callywood in the event management programme of Cross River State with a take off subhead in the revised state budget.

    Akla who welcome the coming of the Hollywood meets Callywood stars during the Carnival said effort have been put in place to give Callywood serious publicity beginning from the 2016 Calabar festival and Carnival.

    He commended the effort of the Callywood DG to market Cross River as the number tourism destination in Nigeria outside the country.

    The Event management department is very pleased with what our own Egor Efiok is doing at Callywood. Her effort in the last couple of months since she assumed the position as taken Cross River to another level in the entertainment industry.

    The award is coming at the right time when just done a revise budget appropriation and Callywood is well captured under the event management.

    The State Commissioner for information, Rosemary Archibong said the award given to the governor was a reward for a good work done and a challenge to do more for not only Cross river State but Nigeria.

    We Congratulates His Excellency, Our Dear Governor for yet receiving another award out of several in the last 18months as people’s governor who remain undisturbed despite the economic challenges facing the country.

    Some of the government officials present at the presentation includes Special Adviser to the Governor on Youths Development, Edward, special Assistant carnival, Efiok Ekpeyong, Special Assitant On media, Emmanuel Ulayi, General Manager, Cross River Broadcasting Cooperation, Theresia Essein among others.

  • Cross River State Future, Embedded in the ‘Signature Projects’ By Inok Solomon

    Cross River State Monarchs drums support for Governor Ayade 

    Apart from our resource potentials as a State, Tourism had been the centre piece of subsequent administrations. Though some say, we lack continuity and focus to our destination and picture a dark future.

    Most times when we press the ‘Reset Button’ on our devices, what we encounter is not an environment for Hardware changes but the Software. These software are the basic programs that tells the hardware what to do.

    When these settings are made, the future working of such a device is reset to drive the hardware functionalities.

    Today, many are yet to understand the depth of the Reset instructions keyed into our state economy through the Signature Projects of Hopes and Deep Visions.

    Donald Duke, introduced the Carnival Calabar Software, to attract fun lovers into the state, and open up the Ranch Resort to provide comfort of our hospitality heritage. Not just that, TINAPA came to boost economic activities and create businesses that create passive income.

    Today, the glorious songs of Duke are on the lips of every Cross Riverians but the Software are corrupted by the following Virus; lack of citizens participation, corruption, political aggrandisement, poor financial and economic knowledge, boom of the Oil wealth era and lack of economic recession.

    We where in Egypt so to say, and now in the wilderness of Recession. Best times for system overhauling and economic opportunities. How then can the Signature Projects be the key to our Economic overhauling and reengineering?

    GARMENT FACTORY: It is a known fact that Clothing is one of man’s basic needs apart from Shelter and Food. And Fashion is among the world highest income generating industries. It is a perfect Industry for our tourism potentials as its create an environment for talent and skill development and entrepreneurial spirit.

    Fashion Shows are a great attraction to the world fashion designers, ‘beauty is siad to be tourism and tourism is beauty,’ so such occasion will keep our tourism centres fully functional. The Calabar Int’l Conference Centre CICC, will best be a hosting venue. TINAPA market potentials will serve as a meeting point for buyers and sellers.

    Apart from sorting for patronage outside the state, every year, we spent Billions of Naira on Carnival customs, and every four years, Billions get out to finance Campaign wears. Yet our population is dominated by jobless youths.

    THE DEEP SEAPORT, many Cross Riverians can still recall the economic boom that played in the state when some few rejected Cargo Ship landed EPZ. It was myriad upon myriad of opportunities from the Barrow pushers to the managers, administrators, lawyers, engineers doctors etc. When all these groups of people come in, including the importers and exporters business Tycoons. It can just be describe as, Myriads upon myriads of opportunities for our tourism and resource potentials.

    SUPERHIGHWAY, the most oral project in recent times with a clear purpose of recreating oneness of the state in terms of road network. The linking of the entire state with such a road alone is tourism attraction in itself, not to talk about the ease of movement which had for the time past crippled business activities in the state.

    Practically, being the evacuation route to the Deep Sea Port, it provides equal opportunities to all part of the state as investors can site facilities in any part of the state to reduce cost when congestion starts in the future. With the boost of economic activities and closeness of these activities to the people of Cross River, our mind sets will be redirected to Cash Flow ventures instead of Civil Service, Federal allocations, Pension Funds, Mutual Funds all to keep the rich richer and the poor, poorer.

    Ayade landing in Cross River, will keep Cross River ahead of many other states and continue to change mentality from Political poverty, Political Thuggery, searching for jobs instead of creating jobs, poor bargains for our Talents, Skills and Resources.

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