By Sylvia Akpan, Government House Correspondent And Mary Bassey, House Of Assembly Correspondent
Calas Vegas carnival band has emerged winner of the 2023 Carnival Calabar, beating favorite band – Passion 4 and five others.
The result which was announced in the wee hours of Friday, December 29th, 2023 inside the main bowl of Udokaha Jacob Esuene Stadium, Calabar saw Calas Vegas coming tops for the first time since formation.
Calas Vegas band managed by former Minister of Culture and Tourism, High Chief Edem Duke is one of the bands created last year alongside Diamond Band.
The 2nd position went to Passion 4 which has dominated the competition since 2006, while the 3rd position went to Seagull Band.
Other competing bands are Bayside, Masta Blasta, Diamond, and Freedom Bands.
Governor Otu flagging off the competition earlier yesterday said the Calabar Carnival was one of his campaign promises to bring back the event on a bigger platform.
“This is one of our campaign promises that we are definitely going to bring carnival back and on a bigger platform. What you’ve seen today is the tip of the iceberg because we are going to move it to the next level.”
Otu commended sponsors for their support and congratulated visitors for making it up to the Calabar carnival.
“Calabar carnival remains the biggest street party in the world. If you look at the energy around this stuff, if you look at the current, you will know that everybody is ready to vibrate. I want to be very sure that all is ready. It is going to be a whole day, all-night event but this is going to be the beginning. I think we are ready.”
UPDATED
Calabar Cultural Carnival
State and position
Akwa Ibom …. 1st
Ebonyi….. 2nd
Ondo and Edo…. 3rd
LGAs
Odukpani …… 1st
Akpabuyo ….. 2nd
Calabar South ……. 3rd
Junior/Children’s Carnival
Passion 4 …… 1st
Seagulls band ……. 2nd
Calas Vegas ……. 3rd
Main Carnival
Calas Vegas. …… 1st
Passion 4 ……… 2nd
Seagulls Band …… 3rd
