2018 Calabar Carnival to host over 30 countries – Official

The Chairman, Calabar Carnival Commission, Mr Gabe Onah, said on Thursday that the 2018 edition of Calabar carnival will host over 30 countries and 25 states.

Onah said that the 32-day annual street party which would commence on Dec. 1 till Jan. 1, 2019, with the theme `Africanism’ would be used to further tell the story of the African race.

Some the countries that had indicated interest to participate in this year’s carnival are Mexico, South Africa, Thailand, Greece, Brazil, Kenya, Ghana, Senegal, Rwanda, While Kano, Nasarawa, Anambra, Imo, Kaduna, Benue, Akwa Ibom, Kogi Enugu states and others.

Onah said that the carnival had proved of benefit and have continued to attract tourists from all over the world to the country and Calabar in particular.

According to him, Calabar has been the melting point of Africa’s hospitality due to its diverse tourism events and sites, the green environment and the warm hospitality of the people.

“The 2018 edition of the carnival will play host to over 30 countries and 25 states. Most of the countries will have their own band on Dec. 29, scheduled for the International Carnival.

“Top of our priority is security. I can assure tourists coming in for the event of adequate security because we are liaising with security agencies to ensure we have a peaceful and fun-filled celebration.

“Calabar carnival is a platform that has made itself a template to measure any beautiful art of festival or tourism product because all the ingredients that make for a tourism product are present here.

“The carnival is a pull factor that brings visitors and tourists alike to the clean and beautiful city of Calabar. The value of any event of this nature is seen through the socio-economic impact on the people.

He said the costumes for the carnival were now locally-made, saying that the carnival band leaders were in partnership with the state garment factory to look inward for the production of the costumes.