Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Hon. Elvert Ayambem, representing Governor Bassey Otu, officially flagged off the 2025 Calabar Marathon & Skateathon, signaling the start of festivities leading up to the iconic Calabar Carnival.
He reaffirmed the state’s full preparedness to host Africa’s biggest street party in a spectacular fashion later this year.
The long anticipated events which kicked off respectively at Millenium park in Calabar, saw enthusiastic athletes take to the road in their numbers racing for glory.
The event hosted athletes from various states across Nigeria as Plateau state dominated the men’s category, sweeping all top three medals and more. Delta state won female category with Cross River at third position.
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In his remarks, Speaker Ayambem hinted that the overall result further proves that truly Cross River is a detribalized, welcoming and very accomodating state.
He called for investors in the tourism sector, noting that the Gov. Otu has successfully driven peace to every doorstep in Cross River State by relentlessly prioritizing the security of lives and properties, thereby creating an enabling environment for all businesses and ideas to thrive.
He confirmed the Calabar marathon and skateathon initiative is once more an added feather to the soaring wings of Cross River as a major contributor to national tourism.
He added that Cross River has always taken the lead in the tourism sector as it has undefeatedly retained it’s title as the tourism destination of Africa for decades.
