By CrossRiverWatch Admin
Governor of Cross River State Senator Bassey Otu has kicked off the 20th Carnival Calabar Dry Run 2024. The event marks the first of three dry runs that will be held before the main Carnival in December.
Represented by the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem in Calabar on Sunday, October 13th, 2024, Governor Otu restated that this year’s carnival theme: “Our Shared Prosperity,” will be the biggest and best.
He extended a warm invitation to visitors and tourists from around the world to join the 20th-anniversary celebrations in December.
Mr. Gab Onah, the chairman of the State Carnival Commission, expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming carnival and assured that all preparations have been made to ensure a memorable and enjoyable experience for all.
Thousands of carnival enthusiasts from the competing bands and non-competing groups danced and paraded along the 12km carnival routes in the state capital.
The ceremony was attended by Mrs. Onari Duke, the wife of former Governor Donald Duke; the State Commissioner of Police CP Peter Okpara, and leaders of the seven competing carnival bands; Mr. Effiong Ekpeyong, the Chairman of the Festival Committee, and Mr. Austin Cobham and the Executive Secretary of the State Carnival Commission.