The Governor of Cross River State, Senator Bassey Otu, has launched the 20th Carnival Calabar Dry Run as part of preparations for the 2024 Calabar Carnival.
The event took place on Sunday, 13 October 2024, in Calabar, the capital of Cross River State.
Represented by the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Elvert Ayambem, the Governor revealed this year’s carnival theme as “Our Shared Prosperity.”
He assured that it would be the biggest and best carnival so far, extending a warm invitation to visitors and tourists worldwide to join in the 20th-anniversary celebrations in December 2024.
The Governor also noted that the event marked the first of three dry runs held annually in preparation for the main carnival in December.
Among those in attendance were Mrs Onari Duke, wife of the former Governor, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Peter Okpara, and leaders of the seven competing carnival bands.
The Chairman of the Festival Committee, Effiong Ekpeyong, and Austin Cobham, Executive Secretary of the State Carnival Commission, were also present.
In addition, the Chairman of the State Carnival Commission, Gab Onah, expressed his excitement for the upcoming carnival and assured that all necessary preparations had been made to ensure a memorable and enjoyable experience for everyone.
The event was characterised by lively and energetic vibes, signalling the start of another fantastic carnival season in Calabar.
Thousands of carnival enthusiasts, from both competing and non-competing groups, danced and paraded along the 12 km carnival route in the state capital.
