CARNIVAL CALABAR 2015 TO HAVE GOVERNOR'S BAND WITH BEAUTY QUEENS AS MEMBERS

GOV. AYADE AND BEAUTY QUEENS AT THE UNVEILING

Governor Prof. Ben Ayade of Cross River State at the recent unveiling of the 2015 Carnival Calabar theme tagged CLIMATE CHANGE in Lagos informed those present of his plan to have a Governor’s Band and stated that he was inviting all beauty queens to be part of his band.

Governor Ayade, at the colourful unveiling which took place last Sunday, at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, made the impromptu announcement inviting all beauty queens to be  members of the new band  stating that “irrespective of their states of origin, they represent the beauty, elegance, style and class of the average Cross River youth,”.

GOV.AYADE AND GUESTS AT THE UNVEILING

At the event which had representatives from the Corporate Nigeria, the United States Embassy in Nigeria, actors, actresses and music stars in attendance, Governor Ayade further stated that the beauty queens also represent the signature band; they have been looking forward to seeing since the inception of the carnival. While inviting all the beauty queens on stage, the governor declared, “I will add value to their beauty and help them to realize their full potentials,”

Governor Ayade who revealed that Carnival bands from 14 countries will be performing at the 2015 carnival said the children Carnival was now reorganized to be a family funfair. He said the carnival could only get better with additional activities and restyling of the old ones and stated that Bikers Day and Disco fiesta were part of the new innovations this year.  He informed the guests that the state owned ‘the biggest garment factory’ in Nigeria would be opened on December 15, noting that the factory would help reduce the money usually spent by the state government on importing various costumes for the festival while creating employment opportunities for many citizens.

The governor assured visitors and residents of the state that the provision of security was a priority and a full team of security will be mobilized for the period of the festival.

Among those who spoke at the event were Sen. Florence Ita-Giwa, Chairman, Calabar Carnival Bands Association and leader of the Seagull Band who commended the efforts of the past governors of the state for sustaining the carnival and noted that with what was witnessed at the unveiling it was obvious the Carnival could only get better. Also speaking, Mr Gab Onah, the Chairman of the Cross River State Carnival Commission revealed that this year’s carnival would attract more than 50,000 participants.

There were a bevy of guests at the unveiling such as John Okafor (Mr. Ibu), Waje, CEO of EbonyLife TV Mo Abudu, Patoranking, Blackie, Olu Maintain, Kcee and actors Enyinna Nwigwe and Elvis Chuks.