Gov. of Cross River declares 19th Akwaaba
Gov. of Cross River declares 19th Akwaaba open in Lagos, pledge to deepen collaboration, unveils theme for 2023 Carnival
The Governor of Cross River State, Bassey Out, on Sunday declared the 19th Akwaaba Travel Market opened in Lagos amidst scintillating display and dance by the Carnival Calabar dancers and cultural troupes from the state.
The Governor who used the occasion to unveil the theme for the 2023 Carnival, as Season of Sweetness said the state will continue to collaborate with Akwaaba to further strengthen its collaborating with the event to boost tourism in the country, noting that Akwaaba event has shaped hospitality, travel, tourism in Nigeria.
He stated that Carnival Calabar represents the most tangible tourism product in the calendar of events of Cross River State and in Nigeria in general.
According to him, carnival exhibits rare colours, costumes, floats, pyrotechnics, magic, acrobatics, etc. through the 12 kilometre carnival route adding that Carnival Calabar, Africa’s Biggest Street Party has always led the cultural interface and ties with other such great cultural and artistic brands that have evolved distinct identities as Nigeria’s best foot forward in cultural diplomacy.
READ: News: Africa Medical Tourism Council, Ghana to showcase Premier Medical Institutions at the 19th Akwaaba African Travel Market, to give 10% discount to 100 delegates
He said: “ It gives me pleasure to be part of the unbroken staging and exhibition of the 19th AFRICA Travel Market Event tagged, AKWWABA. Indeed, it is a welcome to all and majorly to the tourism and travel trade players.
“I also understand that for the second year, the Medical Tourism platform is being activated with a strong partnership with the Turkish group.
“This is particularly elating because for every good reason, the world needs to come together now more than ever.
“I am very pleased that we are here again to share that moment of joy that Calabar, cross river state, offers the world as Africa’s warmest welcome.
“Carnival Calabar” represents the most tangible tourism product in the calendar of events of Cross River State and in Nigeria in general.
“It was and still is a strategic plan for the actualization of the vision of transforming Cross River State socio-economically through the instrumentality of the performing arts.”
“The carnival exhibits rare colours, costumes, floats, pyrotechnics, magic, acrobatics, etc. through the 12 kilometre carnival route.
“These are by no means overt expressions of the state and people’s heritage of hospitality and Africa’s warmest welcome.
“Today, we are here to witness another theme unveiling, which stands our carnival out as an intellectual platform to entertain, educate, and inform our publics and audiences.
“Carnival Calabar, Africa’s Biggest Street Party has always led the cultural interface and ties with other such great cultural and artistic brands that have evolved distinct identities as Nigeria’s best foot forward in cultural diplomacy and at the same time acting as the pull factor to bring tourists to Cross River State and Nigeria every year.”
Otu said the state will deploy all efforts at sustainability and inclusion to achieve set goals exploring a robust Public Private Partnership framework to achieve mutually beneficial relations in Naming Rights, Endorsements, Sponsorships, Merchandizing and Activations.
He added that the children s carnival, aqua show and the exciting and colorful Night of Kings and Queens will return to the Carnival Calendar to create more opportunities for sponsors visibility.