The Cross River State Carnival Commission has described the 2025 edition of Carnival Calabar as a major milestone in the state’s recovery from the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Chairman of the Commission, Gabe Onah, said the event would reflect the resilience of the tourism and creative sectors, describing it as “the epitome of our tourism recovery from the COVID year” and a true reflection of the times.
What makes Carnival Calabar 2025 different
Remember, in 2019 carnival Calabar was at its height until Covid 19 came and shut down the whole world and the creative arts and tourism sector suffered the most .
The 2025 Carnival Calabar, with theme TRACES OF TIME reestablishes its former firm position and we are restrategizing to maintain its role as a socioeconomic penetrator of the state fabrics.
Detty December in Calabar
The unstrained December carnival Calabar fun and the economic ripples have placed Cross River State on the international tourists beaten tracks. Similarly the unstrained fun and the economic penetration of the state social fabric strata would also call for unstrained input on the part of the public and private sectors as Carnival Calabar promotes the uniqueness of the state’s creative Economic offerings beyond bounds .
Rebuilding the Carnival spirit
With the reawakening being introduced by the leadership of Governor Bassey Otu, and his people first mantra, atmospheric euphoria is back and the community has been reinvigorated.
Come and visit. I look back at the Millennium park on the night of the Christmas Tree lighting on 30th Nov and even now. We are experiencing population explosion and this is welcoming .
Furthermore there is a reawakening and strengthening of the Spirit of carnival Calabar amongst the Bands and the people in the realization that tourism, culture and creative Arts are significant tools for the Socio Economic development of the state .
The 5 Governors
The uniqueness of Carnival Calabar has always been in its role as an instrument for unification. For the 2025 edition which also marks the 20th anniversary, the current Governor s ability to aggregate with all former state Governors has re positioned carnival Calabar as a movement for unity , understanding, growth and effective progress of the state. The totality of the content of the 2025 theme: “Traces of Time is for PEACE”, a very expensive item on national and international scenes.
How can a people be so blessed.
Come with me as I run you through the evolution of the creative sector through to carnival Calabar as we know it today. Starting with Governor Clement Ebri, he was a curator of arts who renovated the cultural center complex with state of the art lighting systems.
Then came Governor Donald Duke who identified the creative , culture and tourism sectors as viable options for development and has been described by many as a meteor; to Governor Liyel Imoke who institutionalized the carnival product with thematic scripted content and made it an enviable brand with emphasis on training and deliberate building blocks ; and Governor Ben Ayade who globalized the carnival with exciting products like the international carnival , Ms Africa pageant, international Food festival , the Bikers carnival and now to the Joseph of our time, Govenor Bassey Otu who is leading the narrative and celebrations of the 20th anniversary of carnival Calabar 2025 like no other.
