The Minister for Information, Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Lai Mohammed shall flag off the first Carnival Calabar Dry Run 2017 on the 22nd of October 2017.
Alhaji Lai Mohammed will be opening the dry run side by side with His Excellency, Governor Ben Ayade of Cross Rivers State.
This is the first time a Minister of the Federal Republic will attend a dry run which gives credit to this Administration’s drive for domestic and responsible tourism for sustainability.
The new additions for this year’s event are the beach carnival, wonder on wheels convertible and vintage cars, black music festival, Formular K, repeat of Nickelodeon kids Festival at Tinapa, the Governor’s Fete, Miss Africa and the Buy Naija participation through the introduction of the Market Square Carnival and the Lighting of the Carnival torch at a ceremony tagged carnival jam carnival in collaboration with the Fed Min of Trade and Industry in line with executive order 3 of the Federal Government to promote made in Nigeria goods and services.
This is a sure boost for the famous 32 days festival village that has existed for about 13 years since the inception of Carnival Calabar and Festival in the wake of the millennium year.
Governor Ben Ayade and Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism
According to the Chairman, Cross River State Carnival Commission, Mr. Gabe Onah, “The Governor has asked me to assure Nigerians and Africa that 2017 carnival will be fireworks and with mobilization of seed monies to carnival bands since August and Sept the needed excitement to wow the Tourists in Calabar is assured.
“In fairness, since becoming Governor, his desire has been geared towards creating more excitement that will attract increased tourists arrivals and this has been achieved if you look at the data of the attendees to carnival Calabar 2016 standing at a figure of 1.6m visitors to Cross River state to observe the events.
The Cultural parade, Bikers carnival parade: Miss Africa Pageant, Carnival Calabar, Africa s biggest street party and the international carnival segments with over 22 countries are still top on the calendar in the Power week.
The Governor looks forward to welcoming the Minister and his entourage as they savor the hospitality of Cross River State and the warmest welcome in Africa”.
Source: ATQ News