Music, dancing and costumes at Africa's biggest street party

jonathan

December 29, 2015 11:46 AM

The carnival which is reputed to be Africa’s biggest street party is an annual event and this year’s carnival is the 11th edition. It is themed ‘Climate Change’.

the most colourful and creative costumes in the Africa.

One major feature of the event is the massive presence of celebrities from different parts of Nigeria who most times belong to one of the bands on display at the carnival. Notable faces seen at the party included Francis Odega, Patience Uzokwor, Joseph Benjamin, and Kenneth Okonkwo.

Bands this year included the regulars and two new entrants. They include, Masta Blasta, Bayside, Freedom Band, Passion 4, and Seagulls, with Ayade’s Band, and Brazilian samba group the Vai Vai Band, adding an international twist.

The 12 kilometers carnival walk commenced from Mary Slessor road, IBB way, Marian road, MCC way, Calabar highway and terminated at the U.J Esuene Stadium.

Security on the day was top-notch, as operatives from the Police, Civil Defence, Army, Navy and Immigration were stationed at strategic points along the route to ensure crisis free carnival.

The Organiser, Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River, described the annual Calabar Carnival as the “largest street party in Africa.’’

The governor, who made the remark on Monday in Calabar at the grand finale of the 2015 carnival, noted that the festival is unique in promoting talents and unity among Nigerians.

Ayade pointed out that apart from promoting talents and creativity, the carnival had united the people of Cross River and other Nigerians.

“We are celebrating 11 years of the carnival; the greatest street party ever; the greatest show in West Africa, this is just the beginning.

“This is my first carnival as governor of the state. We will continue to add new innovations to make it colourful in the years ahead,’’ he assured.

The governor commended the efforts of people of the state and the participants for making the 2015 carnival a success.

Earlier in his remarks, Mr Gabriel Onah, Chairman, Calabar Carnival Commission, disclosed that nine countries participated in the carnival.

He listed the countries to include: Spain, France, Italy, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Burundi, Ghana and Brazil.

Onah said that the carnival had continued to produce commercial content into the state.

“Tourism is indeed our own oil. We will use tourism to market the state to the world.

“The attention of the world is focused on Calabar today, as you can see, the state is wearing a new look,’’ he said.

A spectator, Mr Philip Ita, who described the carnival as a street party that unites the people, commended the government for sustaining it for the past 11 years.

Check out photos from the carnival below.

jonathan

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