ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State, has flagged off the third and final dry run of the 2022 edition of the yearly Carnival Calabar.
The Governor also promised to stage the best carnival ever, during the event.
The Governor made the promised to host the best carnival of all time, while speaking at the Millennium Park, Calabar, the state capital, shortly before flagging off the occasion.
The theme of the year’s carnival described as the best ever by the Governor is: “Agro-Industrialisation”.
To boost the carnival, the Governor said he had subsidized air fare into Calabar by Cally Air, the state-owned airline to encourage fun seekers from all over Nigeria to attend the celebration.
“Come and spend your Christmas in Calabar. I’m subsidising Cally Air fare this Christmas season to enable Nigerians pour into Calabar for the carnival.
“In so doing, Cross River State is demonstrating to the world that you don’t need to have so much to do so much but you can do much if you care enough. Cross River has aircraft, which will fly people in and out of Calabar at a subsidised rate.
“Please do join Cally Air and come to Calabar,” he said.
Governor Ayade stated further that the 2022 Carnival Calabar, would be the first after the COVID-19 era and promised to give it the best anyone could think of.
The seven competing bands in this year are: Seagull, Passion 4, Masta Blasta, Bayside, Freedom, Diamond and Calas Vegas.