The annual Calabar Festival took off yesterday with a
colourful lighting of the Christmas tree, touted to be the tallest in Africa,
at the Millennium Park. The revelers, including the Cross River State Governor,
Senator Liyel Imoke were treated to high octane entertainment. The event, which
lasted about two hours, saw the lighting of the tree at midnight, and it was
accompanied with fireworks.
Before then, there were performances by up and coming
musicians discovered during auditions for the 2013 Festival.
Ace comedian, I Go Die left revellers that also included the
Governor's wife, Obioma, Minister for Tourism, High Chief Edem Duke and
Nollywood stars Kate Henshaw, Rita Dominic, Gideon Okeke, Bryan Okwara and an Executive Director of
First Bank on the edge of their seats.
Other dignitaries at the event included a former Military
Governor of the state, Air Vice Marshal Gregory Agbonemi.
“We remain that place in Nigeria where every Nigerian would
be proud to be, where every Nigerian will say there is one state in Nigeria
where you can see the governor walking about, associating with his people, he
is not afraid, he is part of the crowd, and the people are warm, happy and
beautiful”, Imoke said.
While urging youth to make use of their talents, Imoke
recalled that like music star, Inyanya, many talents are discovered every year
during the festival.
The governor contended that the two brand recognized by the
world today are Nollywood and the Calabar Carnival noting that, the tree
lighting exercise will go down in the record of Nigeria that next to the
tallest and biggest flag in Nigeria is the tallest Christmas tree.
On his part, Minister of Culture, Tourism and National
Orientation, High Chief Edem Duke, stressed the need for government to
galvanise resources and train young artiste in order for them to use their
creative abilities to better their lots.
Edem Duke also urged Cross Riverians to find in each of them
their creative talents that they may showcase to the world instead of waiting
on government to provide their needs.
“These dancers and drummers can win for us the future, being
resources to our families and glory to our state”, the tourism Minister said,
adding, “We must establish a self-believe, believe in yourselves, believe that
if you are such a good dancer or drummer, there is a future for you”.
He hinted that the siting of over N2 billion project for a
creative Academy in Ikot Nakanda, Akpabuyo Local Government Area remain a clear
testimony of how important government hold the works of creative Arts among
youths in the area, pointing out that the project cannot be found else where in
the country.
Edem Duke also used the opportunity to announce the offer of
10 scholarships by the government of Trinidad and Tobago to provide
opportunities for people to learn creative Arts of carnival.
He disclosed that the scholarship would be available from
next year, adding that carnival has transformed from a street party into an
economy.
Executive Director Public Sector south, First Bank of
Nigeria, Mr. UK Eke, lauded Cross River government for its initiative which has
also helped in uniting people from several cultures while bringing happiness to
Nigerians.
“The Calabar Carnival has grown to be one of the biggest
tourist attractions in Nigeria and Africa at large”, Eke said, adding “it has
enhanced the economic development of Cross River and our great nation.
He assured that First Bank having established its second
branch in Nigeria in Calabar since 1900 will continue to partner with the state
to boost social, cultural and economic gains.
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