Governor Basssey Otu of Cross River State has lauded former Governor Donald Duke for daring to dream big, saying Duke’s vision birthed in 2005, has enhanced the status of Cross River State as a tourism destination.
“The carnival Calabar transcends two decades of ingenuity, resilience, continuity, and, of course, sustainability.
“Let me recognise Governor Duke, who led this vision, and Governor Imoke, who later came to sustain it. Governor Ayade showed immense resilience because even though COVID hit the world, we had to still see the carnival through,” he said.
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The governor expressed optimism that the event would be seen as the most important in the tourism calendar of Cross River State.
“So you will be very sure of our very esteemed regards and the fact that we want a repeat performance as we continue to add very different things at all times. The event of today is very significant, and is actually one of the most important events in our tourism calendar”, he added.
According to Governor Otu, the flag off unveiled “some very explosive art form, calisthenic and very rhythmic dancing, and of course we want all the band to understand the theme of this year’s carnival, which happens to be the Traces of Time.”
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“Traces of Time captures everything, so we want to see it in a perfect art form in the way and manner that the world is going to remember Cross River.”
The governor, however, advised both competing and non-competing bands to use this year’s theme to refine their skills and show the best that we want.
