Governor
Ben Ayade, flanked by Senator Gershom Bassey and Senator Ita Giwa, during the
carnival theme unveiling in Lagos.
“Cross
River state is ready for the world. We are ready to show them our traditional
warmth and hospital which we are famously known for. This year’s carnival will
present new innovations that will add color and glamour to the party like never
before”, those were the exact words of Governor Ben Ayade while speaking to
CrossRiverWatch at the unveiling of this year’s carnival
Theme on Sunday at the
prestigious Oriental Hotel in Lagos.
The
governor who arrived the event beaming with smiles and confidence assured Cross
Riverians the rest of the world that participation in this year’s event will
involve people from different countries and continents and the fun and
hospitality will be unrivalled in the history of the carnival.
While
addressing guests at the event, the governor unveiled “Climate Change” as the
theme for the 2015 edition of the Carnival which has become Africa’s biggest
street party.
The
Governor explained that the theme was carefully selected to reflect current
global realities with a view to drawing attention to the needed action against
climate change and its negative impacts.
“We
present a theme that represents the true challenge of the world today as we
celebrate this year’s event, “he informed, stressing that, “Cross River State
is the 5th Biodiversity hotspot in the World.
We have the second largest rain forest next
to the Amazon, we also have the largest forest cover in Nigeria, the only state
with Green Police, governed by a Professor of Environmental Science, so we
cannot but promote environmental best practices to save the world from
collapse.”
Continuing
he maintained: “We therefore say, dare to have a dream, come fresh so that you
receive more fresh ideas so that by the time you are done with the carnival and
business trips to Calabar, you will return with fresh ideas to make a
difference in your life.
“The
reason for this gathering this evening is to invite all of you here and indeed
the entire world to come to Calabar because there is nowhere else to be
particularly at this time were you all need to relax and enjoy yourselves and
like the Americans will say, “the only essence of life is enjoyment and once
you take away happiness from a man, you have taken away the reason to live,” he
said.
While
giving more insights on the expectation in this year’s event the Governor
disclosed: “We are bringing in innovations, the bikers parade, disco festival where
we will be dancing all through at the stadium to best Nigerian tunes known as
the African drums.
According
to the governor, “From 21st December, you have got nowhere else to be except
Calabar because we are providing a variety of dances with Nigeria’s finest
performers each day while we also use the platform to discover and expose
innate talents amongst our youths.
Ayade
disclosed that “We are internationalizing the carnival and for the first time
we are bringing in 16 countries that will be participating in the carnival this
year.
He particularly thanked Mr. Ike Chukwu who he said had already done a lot in
mobilizing African continent for this year’s carnival.
“As Cross Riverians, we are great dreamers, we don’t believe that there is any challenge that cannot be overcome because at any time you put your soul above your problem and your body will surely follow.
“The
carnival is not just an opportunity to come and dance and make friends, it is
an opportunity for business because geographically Cross River remains a
business hub for Africa, so there must be a calibration of business and
pleasure.”
On
security, Ayade said: “Reports from the office of the Inspector General of
Police indicates that we are the safest state in Nigeria. Besides, all security
apparatus in the state are fully mobilized to ensure that we have a hitch free
carnival.
Be rest assured you are safe in our hands
because we have never recorded any incidence since the inception of the
carnival eleven years ago.
“It is
our hope that with the international community’s participating, their concept
about Nigeria will indeed change as they indulge in the warmth and hospitality
of our state,” he said.
Present
on the occasion were Consular General of United States of America represented
by Mr. Thomas Hines, Senator Ita Giwa, Senator Gershom Bassey, Hon. Legor
Idagbo, Special Adviser, Govenor’s Office/Events, Ken Aklah, Chairman, Carnival
Commission, Gabe Onah among others.
Highpoint
of the event was dance presentation by Professional dancers from Rwanda and
Kenya while Cross River born Iyanya, Waje and home boy act, Real Pee Ajaba
thrilled audience to spectacular performance.
Source:
crossriverwatch.com
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