By Ofem John, JKNewsMedia Intern
STRENGHTENING DRIVE around the state’s flagship cultural celebration shaped new assurances of government backing as Cross River government said it has intensified efforts to revive and expand its tourism industry.
The commitment followed the landmark 20th anniversary of the Carnival Calabar and Festival, which drew thousands of residents, cultural performers, and visiting dignitaries to Millennium Park for the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony.
The announcement came during the event, where Governor Bassey Otu reaffirmed the state government’s dedication to repositioning tourism as a central component of its economic renewal agenda.
Also, the ceremony attracted wide public attention, serving as a focal point for activities marking the build-up to the 2025 edition of the Carnival Calabar and Festival.
In a press release, the occasion featured an unprecedented gathering of four former governors who joined Governor Otu at Millennium Park, creating a spectacle described as an uncommon display of political unity within the state.
Their appearance was also described as conveying a message of collaboration and shared commitment to the future of the state’s tourism economy, adding that analysts say such collective support could play a major role in restoring Cross River’s leadership position in West African tourism.
Speaking, Governor Otu emphasised that tourism remains one of the major pillars of his administration’s economic renewal plans.
He noted that the government is prioritising investments in human-capital development, rural transformation, and strategic global marketing of Cross River’s diverse cultural heritage.
Also, the Governor described the 20th anniversary of Carnival Calabar as an opportunity to reposition the state as a world-class destination for festivals, eco-tourism, hospitality, and cultural entertainment.
He said his administration is working to modernise tourism infrastructure across the state. as well as strengthening partnerships with the private sector forms part of the strategy to scale up opportunities available within the creative and tourism industries.
The release further quoted him as assuring stakeholders that Cross River would once again reclaim what he described as its rightful place as the tourism heartbeat of Nigeria and West Africa.
During the ceremony, the Governor reaffirmed that young people remain a significant focus of the state’s tourism agenda, highlighting plans to expand opportunities for the youth within the creative economy and the wider tourism value chain.
He linked the developments to the state’s commitment to enhancing skills, encouraging innovation, and securing broader participation in cultural programming.
The 20th anniversary milestone was also described as forming a central theme of this year’s festivities, with public excitement building across the state ahead of the upcoming celebrations.
Towards the preparations for the 2025 Carnival Calabar and Festival, the release noted rising expectations that this year’s edition will attract more international visitors and rekindle the spirit of the original “Africa’s Biggest Street Party.”
In fact, crowds at Millennium Park witnessed the ceremonial lighting of the Christmas tree, which signalled the beginning of the month-long activities that traditionally precede the annual Carnival Calabar showcase.
The gathering featured cultural performers, dignitaries, and residents from within and outside the state who came together to mark what the release described as a significant cultural moment for Cross River.
The release also highlighted that the Governor’s remarks reinforced his administration’s commitment to expanding opportunities within the tourism sector and ensuring that the Carnival Calabar maintains its prominence.
He reiterated that Cross River’s heritage, creative energy, and natural attractions remain central to the state’s tourism brand.
The government also expressed views the general revival of the sector as part of a long-term approach designed to re-establish the state’s visibility in regional and international tourism circuits, stating that modernising infrastructure and building partnerships are important components of that approach.
Additionally, the attendance of four former governors was said to have symbolised a rare show of unity and collective support for the state’s tourism development efforts, saying their presence during the Christmas tree lighting ceremony was highlighted as one of the major features of the anniversary celebration, underscoring the significance of the moment in the ongoing repositioning of the industry.
The release also noted that the Carnival Calabar and Festival has grown over the years into one of Africa’s most recognisable cultural events, drawing participants from different parts of Nigeria and beyond.
