Carnival Calabar has made a major impression at AKWAABA 2026, with its colourful and energetic performance attracting widespread attention from participants and dignitaries at the travel and tourism event.
The performance by Carnival Calabar revelers was one of the major highlights of the event, drawing applause from guests, including the First Lady of Lagos State, who represented Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and the Honourable Minister of Tourism.
The Minister subsequently invited the Carnival Calabar revelers to stage a special performance at the prestigious Ember to Remember event.
Carnival Calabar Makes Colourful Entrance
The Cross River State Carnival Commission participated in AKWAABA 2026 with a delegation led by its Chairman, Sir Gabe Onah, and Executive Secretary, Evang. Austin Cobham.
The delegation also included the Commission’s Consultant, Chief Essien; Commissioners Effiom Bassey Effiom, Mrs Shirley Effiom and Mrs Graceann Odu; Director of Administration, Barr. Oyama Ndifon; and members of the operational team.
The colourful costumes, music, dance and energetic display of the Carnival Calabar troupe immediately attracted the attention of participants as the revelers showcased the distinctive cultural identity and entertainment value associated with the annual Calabar Carnival.
Lagos First Lady Applauds Carnival Calabar Display
One of the notable moments came when the First Lady of Lagos State, representing Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, watched the Carnival Calabar performance.
She joined other guests in appreciating the creativity, discipline, costumes and cultural expression displayed by the revelers.
The performance further highlighted the role of Carnival Calabar as a platform for showcasing Cross River State’s rich cultural heritage to audiences beyond the state.
Tourism Minister Invites Revelers to Ember to Remember
The Honourable Minister of Tourism also expressed her admiration for the Carnival Calabar presentation.
Following the performance, the Minister invited the Carnival Calabar revelers to mount a special performance at the Ember to Remember event, providing another platform for the Cross River cultural brand to reach a wider tourism audience.
The invitation further drew attention to the potential of Carnival Calabar as a cultural and tourism attraction capable of contributing to Nigeria’s growing creative and tourism economy.
Carnival Commission Pushes Tourism Investment
Beyond its colourful performance, the Cross River State Carnival Commission used AKWAABA 2026 as an opportunity to engage tourism and travel industry stakeholders.
Chairman Sir Gabe Onah and Executive Secretary Evang. Austin Cobham led business-to-business engagements with tour operators, event promoters, travel buyers and international media.
The engagements focused on promoting Carnival Calabar and its 2026 calendar as tourism and investment opportunities, while encouraging greater collaboration between the carnival, travel industry and tourism stakeholders.
The Commission’s participation therefore combined cultural entertainment with tourism promotion and business networking.
Cross River Showcases Its Tourism Potential
AKWAABA 2026 also provided Cross River State with an opportunity to showcase its tourism assets and cultural heritage to participants from across Nigeria and beyond.
During the event, Cross River State was described as “A Country Within a Country,” highlighting the state’s diverse tourism attractions, cultural heritage and destination potential.
For the Carnival Calabar delegation, the event provided another opportunity to demonstrate why the annual carnival remains one of the most recognisable cultural festivals associated with Nigeria.
Carnival Calabar: A Global Cultural Brand
The strong reception at AKWAABA 2026 underscores the growing importance of Carnival Calabar as a platform for cultural promotion, tourism development and destination marketing.
Through its distinctive costumes, choreography, music and street-party atmosphere, the carnival continues to provide a platform for Cross River State to tell its cultural story to national and international audiences.
The Cross River State Carnival Commission expressed appreciation to its leadership and team members for their contributions to the successful representation of the state at the event.
The Commission specifically acknowledged Chairman Sir Gabe Onah, Consultant Chief Essien, Executive Secretary Evang. Austin Cobham, Commissioners Effiom Bassey Effiom, Shirley Effiom and Graceann Odu, and Director of Administration Barr. Oyama Ndifon for their roles.
Cross River State Carnival Commission — The Pride of a Nation, The Soul of a State.
Hope you find the Above publication useful, Calabargist will love to keep you updated via our newsletter by subscribing with your email.
