By Archibong Jeremiah/Jonathan Ugbal
The Cross River State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke has said that the state government intentionally refused to publicize the 10th edition of the Calabar Carnival which will be the last his administration will spearhead.
Senator Imoke said this while declaring open the adult carnival over the weekend in Calabar, the state capital.
In his words: “This year we refused to advertise the carnival but the crowd is large, this is our last carnival and we hope it will continue… (at this point, the governor turned and looked at Senator Ben Ayade who is the PDP 2015 gubernatorial flag bearer who was by his right shoulder)”.
The Governor thanked Cross Riverians for the support for the carnival has enjoyed urge them to celebrate the occasion. “We thank the good people of Cross River State and Nigeria for their massive support, the carnival has grown in leaps and bounds. We do this for our great nation, for everyone that is part of it and we do this to the glory of the Almighty God, its celebration time”. He said.
Earleir, Obioma Liyel-Imoke, wife of the governor while flagging off the children carnival a day before the adult carnival described the children carnival as a training ground for participants in future adult carnivals.
In both children and adult categories, the carnival has five contesting bands including Seagull, Passion 4, Bayside, Masta Blasta and Freedom band.
For the children category, it was a four kilometer route from the botanical garden, through Marian road into IBB Way, terminating at the U.J Esuene Stadium with adjudication points at Mary Slessor by Target road, Marian by IBB Way roundabout, IBB Way by Customs Barracks and the U.J. Esuene Stadium.
While the adult category was a 12km walk beginning from Millennium Park through Mary Slessor entering Marian Road into MCC then to the Murtala Mohammed High Way terminating at the U.J Esuene Stadium with adjudication points at Mary Slessor by Target road, Marian by Bureau of Public Private Partnership (BPPP), Mobil by MCC and U.J Esuene Stadium.
The result for the carnival was follows: Cultural Carnival saw Calabar Municipal coming first followed by Bakassi and Odukpani emerged third.
In the Children Carnival, Masta Blasta emerged 1st, Seagull 2nd, Freedom 3rd, Passion 4, 4th and Bayside band 5th.
In the Adult Carnival, Masta Blasta came 1st, Passion 4, 2nd, Seagull 3rd, Freedom 4th and Bayside band 5th.
Below are exclusive pictures from both the children and adult carnival 2014:
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