20 Years After, 13-Member Committee to Review Carnival Calabar Impacts with Ita Giwa, Gabe Onah, Ikechi Uko, Others, Edem Duke as Chairman

An extensive move aimed at improving and refreshing the Carnival Calabar product in line with global trends to enhance government policies and cultural initiatives, the Governor of Cross River State, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, has approved the appointment of a 13-member committee to review and assess the impact of Carnival Calabar and the Annual Festival after two decades of hosting.

However, the committee lead by High Chief Edem Duke as the Chairman, will conduct a comprehensive evaluation to refine and improve the event’s concept, ensuring its continued relevance and sustainability.

The Committee members includes HE. Barr. Mrs. Onari Duke, Sen. Florence Ita Giwa, Sen. Gershom Bassey, Hon. Chris Agibe, Dr. Uyam Ugot, Hon. Eric Anderson, Sir Gabe Onah, PhD, Barr. Ededem Ani (AG), Pst. Johnnie Akpanke, Amb. Ikechi Uko, Prof. Esekong Andrew Essien and Prof. A. Owan-Eno as the Secretary.

According to the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Nsa Gill, said the review is aimed at improving and refreshing the product in line with global trends in tourism product development and repackaging. The terms of reference for the committee include: The terms of reference for the committee include: Review the past 20 years to identify the high points and the low point, Identify the success factors of the last 20 years, Restructure the bands as a creative entity, Explore organic ways of improving the carnival by making it our cultural expression, Initiate the establishment of a carnival museum for the preservation of carnival culture, Advise on the improvement of regulations and organization to align with world best practices.

The committee is also expected to harness all marketing opportunities to improve carnival funding, devise means of placing Carnival Calabar’s presence on the international roadmap, suggest a roadmap for the next 20 years to guide the operators, and engage relevant stakeholders in arriving at its recommendations.