The 2022 version of the Calabar Cultural Parade, a key a part of Carnival Calabar, has been described by the Governor of Cross River State, Ben Ayade, as a potpourri of Nigerian tradition.
He was represented by his deputy, Professor Ivara Esu, as he accomplished the four-kilometre cultural parade on the fashionable Millennium Park in Calabar, the capital.
He expressed his delight that the Carnival Calabar model has continued to develop by leaps and bounds regardless of the two-year setback as a consequence of COVID-19.
Ayade mentioned: “I particularly welcome the states that got here with us this 12 months to take part within the cultural carnival. That is the final carnival we’ll set up as a board and we’re blissful to have continued this flagship occasion.
“Up to now we had extra states than there are actually. However the truth that there are fourteen states right now exhibits that Cross River State has certainly change into a model that different states got here to rejoice peacefully on the finish of the 12 months.”
The Governor counseled the taking part Native Authorities Areas, saying: “I welcome the contingents from the 18 Native Authorities Areas who’ve come to showcase the multifarious cultures of our individuals in Cross River. Wherever you come from as a Nigerian, you’ll undoubtedly determine with one type of tradition or the opposite. So it's a potpourri of all the things we want in Calabar for this annual occasion”
Ayade expressed gratitude to God for serving to his authorities preserve religion within the individuals and the annual carnival pageant.
He was optimistic that the tourism occasion would proceed its regular development on the worldwide tourism scene.
Additionally talking, the Chairman of the Calabar Pageant Committee, Hon. Ken Aklah described the cultural parade as “an amalgamation of cultures” that portrays the unity of Nigeria.
Aklah mentioned: “It’s saying to the world that right now you’ll see a convergence of tradition. What we’re doing by way of this tradition pageant is to see how Nigeria can converse in unity by way of tradition and we the contingents right here will showcase Nigeria to the world.
Earlier, the Govt Secretary of the Cross River State Carnival Fee, Mr Austin Cobham, mentioned the parade was a possibility to showcase to the world the various cultural experiences within the state and the nation as a complete.
In response to him, “It offers us pleasure to current Cross River State's best export to the world: our tradition, custom and folks. It’s a whole mix of your complete tradition of Nigeria as there are over 14 taking part states and your complete 18 native authorities areas of Cross River State.
The parade began with the group from Cross River State cultural heart led by the couple in conventional apparel generally known as 'Nwan ye Ebe Ndo' adopted by a particular dance generally known as 'Ikpaya' (introduced through the coronation of the Obong of Calabar) and 'Ubom', an all-male conventional show devoted to the normal fishing pageant, in addition to 'Moni Nkim', the ladies' dance by the Ejagham-speaking individuals of Ikom.
The states taking part within the cultural parade embody Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Benue, Ebonyi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kogi, Kwara and Nasarawa, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo.
In the meantime, Cobham introduced that the most effective performing states can be awarded factors and money prizes, whereas prizes would even be awarded to the highest three native authorities areas.
He mentioned the factors included costume, dance, time dedication and presentation of the theme.
