As Carnival Calabar celebrates its 20th anniversary, the festival has grown far beyond a colourful street parade into a powerful symbol of identity, economic resilience and cultural continuity for Cross River State. In this interview, Sir Gabe Onah, Chairman of the Cross River State Carnival Commission, reflects on the significance of the milestone edition, the economic and social value of the carnival, its longevity across administrations, and why Calabar’s model of tourism prioritises community, collaboration and sustainable development over competition.
Significance of Carnival Calabar?
I would like to say that the significance of Carnival Calabar at 20 to the state and the people is that we have a renewed sense of pride. This year, the theme is Traces of Time. We play to the fact that we needed to recognize our founding fathers in appreciation of their hard work and what they’ve left for the present generation and how the present generation must preserve same for the future. Hospitality, warm embrace, laughter, joy is God’s gift to the people of Cross River State and therefore our gift to the world. We saw how the city received this on visitors across our sub-region. Not to talk of the home people, the community remains the strongest pillar.
Longevity?
Carnival Calabar has gone beyond politics or religion. It has gone beyond political correctness because this has outlived four administrations as we speak.
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Cost?
Yes, you are asking at what cost and profit to the government. A responsible government provides the enabling environment for the private sector to thrive. A responsible government is that which provides a safe community for the people to drive and this is exactly what kind of a Carnival Calabar has done. Carnival Calabar provides jobs, it provides engagement for our youths, it provides engagement for our elders and our women especially. This is seen in the behind the scenes and what goes around. How much can irresponsible government profit from a concept of this nature? It is the period where our IGR improves. It is a period where our community people are engaged positively. And it is a win-win. Government is winning, the private sector is winning, and peace is ensured. How much can one pay for peace?
Economic Significance?
The economic significance to Cross River State is significant. I said this earlier that it is a strategy for economic development because of the industry, the economy behind Carnival Calabar. Boys and girls who engage in this sector, smile to their banks, the ‘mama put’ seller, the pure water seller, the hoteliers, the eateries, every nook and cranny on the 12 kilometers of the Carnival Calabar stand to benefit. And it is obvious that if this sector were not producing the desired results, the private sector, the community would have kicked against it. The community remains the biggest factor for all tourism initiative to thrive. The three pillars are the community, the stakeholders, and the product. And I think we got them all right.
Comparism with Lagos Detty December?
Well, talking about it in comparison to Lagos Detty December. In tourism, we don’t compete, we collaborate. Lagos Detty probably got its traction from what we are doing in Calabar because in Carnival Calabar, we have been deliberate. Carnival Calabar started as Calabar Festival in the turn of the millennium, 1999, into the new millennium 2000. And then we have been so organized and the concept itself is structured. We are registered in the Madrid Protocol, in the Trade Mark Office in London. We have a law.
We have an institution that operates the carnival processes, managing, supervising, and regulating the carnival bands on the road. So we are not here to compete with those who have just come behind us to take advantage of the benefits of the subsector. The lessons ahead for the 21st edition remains the fact that we must grow in our tactics, we must grow in our offerings, and above all, we will continue to present the subsector as a strategy for economic development. And how would that be achievable? To increase the number of artisans that work here. To increase the excitement and the spectacle on the 12-kilometre route. And of course, to increase the benefits to the private sector because it is our desire that the private sector must take interest in the subsector and run it for sustainability, run it for competition, and run it for profit.
