Governor of Cross River State, Sen. Bassey Otu, has said the state is currently negotiating the technical modalities to produce and include the ‘sponsors’ train’, a heavily branded float to intensify publicity and corporate presence on the carnival route and in the media.
He said this would increase the mileage of sponsorship for the yearly event, dubbed Africa’s ‘Biggest Street Party.’
Speaking at the unveiling of the 2024 Carnival Calabar and Festival Theme, “Shared Prosperity”, in Akwa Ibom, the governors said the Carnival Calabar and Festival would not have grown in leaps and bounds without the untiring efforts of the competing and non-competing bands in the state.
He noted that their leadership quality, creativity and other forms of sterling virtues have contributed in no small measure to create some exciting contents for television viewership.
“With these creativities, our esteemed sponsors and partners like DSTV Multichoice, UBA, First Bank, GAC Motors, Zenith Bank, Fidelity Bank and a host of others have invariably reaped sufficient dividends and values for their sponsorship. This is the win-win partnership we cherish and hope to nurture in the years to come. ”In order to increase the mileage for sponsorship, we are currently negotiating the technical modalities to produce and include the ‘sponsors’ train’, a heavily branded float to intensify publicity and corporate presence on the carnival route and in the media. ”In order to administratively strengthen the Carnival Bands, I have already directed the State Ministry of Justice and Carnival Commission to reorganize the Bands as incorporated Trustees of the various Band groups”.
