Governor Otu Appoints 13-Member Committee to Review Carnival Calabar’s Impact After Two Decades

The Governor of Cross River State, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, in a strategic move to enhance government policies and cultural initiatives, has approved the appointment of a 13-member committee to review and assess the impact of Carnival Calabar and the Annual Festival, which has been hosted for two decades.

The committee will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the event, with a focus on refining its concept, ensuring its sustainability, and aligning it with global tourism trends.

According to a press release signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Nsa Gill, the initiative is aimed at revitalising and repositioning Carnival Calabar as a globally competitive cultural tourism product.

The committee has been tasked with:

Reviewing the past 20 years to identify key successes and challenges.

Identifying the success factors that have sustained the carnival over the years.

Restructuring the carnival bands to enhance creativity and performance.

Exploring ways to make the carnival a more authentic expression of Cross River’s rich cultural heritage.

Initiating the establishment of a carnival museum for the preservation of the festival’s history and cultural significance.

Advising on improvements to regulations and organisation to align with global best practices.

Harnessing marketing opportunities to improve funding and sponsorship.

Positioning Carnival Calabar on the international roadmap to boost global participation.

Developing a strategic roadmap for the next 20 years to guide its future evolution.

Engaging relevant stakeholders to ensure well-rounded and sustainable recommendations.

The committee is chaired by High Chief Edem Duke, a former Minister of Tourism, and comprises prominent figures from government, tourism, and cultural sectors:

High Chief Edem Duke – Chairman

H.E. Barr. Mrs. Onari Duke – Member

Sen. Florence Ita-Giwa – Member

Sen. Gershom Bassey – Member

Hon. Chris Agibe – Member

Dr. Uyam Ugot – Member

Hon. Eric Anderson – Member

Sir Gabe Onah, PhD – Member

Barr. Ededem Ani (AG) – Member

Pst. Johnnie Akpanke – Member

Amb. Ikechi Uko – Member

Prof. Esekong Andrew Essien – Member

Prof. A. Owan-Eno – Secretary

This high-level review committee is expected to submit its findings and recommendations to the governor, providing a framework for the future of Carnival Calabar as a world-class tourism and cultural event.