By Our Reporter
Wife of former Cross River State governor and initiator of Carnival Calabar, Mrs Onari Duke, has called on the authorities in Cross River State to renew passion, commitment and fresh energy to sustain and reposition the annual cultural fiesta.
Mrs Duke made the call in Calabar during activities marking the 20th anniversary of Carnival Calabar, noting that the landmark edition offered an opportunity to consolidate the event’s global acceptance and past achievements.
She said the one-month-long celebration, held from December 1 to 31, attracted dignitaries and participants from several countries, reaffirming its status as “Africa’s Biggest Street Party.”
“Renewed passion and energy are required to drive Carnival Calabar to even greater heights,” she stressed.
At the event, Mrs Duke formally handed over leadership of the Bayside Band to a former Commissioner for Tourism, Mr Eric Anderson, following the expiration of her two-year tenure as band leader.
She thanked members of the Bayside Band for the opportunity to serve and urged them to give the new chairman maximum support to ensure continuity and growth within the association.
Mr Anderson, who is also Leader of the Diamond Carnival Band, was unanimously selected as Chairman of the Carnival Calabar Band Association during a day-long carnival appraisal meeting involving band leaders and officials of the Carnival Commission.
Mrs Duke expressed optimism that Anderson’s “youthful energy” would help revitalise the association and effectively address emerging challenges in the carnival ecosystem.
Speaking, too, former Minister of Tourism, Chief Edem Duke, Leader of the Calas Vegas Band and a three-time carnival winner, said the development signalled the beginning of a more vibrant era for the association.
In his response, Anderson pledged to build on the gains of past leaders to deliver improved carnival outings, while congratulating band leaders and commending Governor Bassey Otu for releasing funds that ensured the success of the 20th edition of Carnival Calabar.