Onabe Edward|4 January 2018
Before you misunderstand me, let me start by acknowledging that carnival in itself is not a bad idea. As a matter fact, Calabar Carnival is one of the best idea ever introduced in Nigeria and African tourists spheres. Tourism in itself is one of the greatest drivers of advanced economies in the world. Saudi Arabia is one of such reference nation on earth with great economic power derived from the tourism sector. In the same vein, Calabar Carnival is one of such event that has kept the world wondering why a particular state in Nigeria is so distinguished in the whole of Africa.
We have enjoyed a very strong traffic of nations and people into Cross River State every December, and such influx of people brings no small gain to hotel owners and traders in the state. My problem with the carnival is really not the N6 billion investment. No, I have a problem with the returns on investment. Every investment is expected to yield some visible and accountable returns to the investors. But that's obviously not the case in Cross River State tourism investment. Perhaps, because vision and the drivers are apparently short sighted. How can a good visioner design and manage a tourist event that last for just about a week, and billions of naira are channeled into it without a focal view and overview of overall economics and financial prospect beyond that week?
The glory of N6billion goes down the drains and forgotten in just a week?
Apart from the profit benchmark that every investor should be concerned about, can the state gain back the capital invested in just a week duration? Well, I leave that to those who shared the money to answer.
Let's assume the major drive of the visioners is to give the businesses in the state a face lift and increase their economics power. The question again will be; how long will the glory last? Assuming just N3billion was given as business grant to business owners in the state, can the aftermath glory be compared to this fanfare of a N6billion carnival?
I write with much pains of disappointment by our leaders in the state. Our present governor is obviously one of the most traveled governor in Nigeria. This reality leaves me even more baffled, aghast, flabbergasted and apparently agog that they tour the world and see nothing worthy of emulation from European and Asian countries.
Dubai is a major tourist center in the world. It's worthy of note that the economic model of their tourist investment was/is not designed for the glory of a week, months or a year. It generates continuous and perpetual returns irrespective of the times and season of the year. Dubai majors on the creation of good roads, state of the arts hotels, modern health facilities, out of this world's recreational centers, exclusive malls, good water system, 24hrs electricity cum city illuminance and high security.
All of these are just basic amenities that any government should put in place. However, in Dubai, these facilities are purposefully advanced to the admiration of the nations, especially the African continent. They don't promote nudity nor condone any such related lifestyle there. Nonetheless, the world troops into the city through out the years to enjoy the ambience that such investment creates.
What do we see in Cross River State? Every year, billions of naira are budgeted for the carnival and no road is being constructed, except for a few patches here and there. No electricity beyond that week, the streets are swept just for that week. Nothing is created to stand the test of time. The same circle is repeated every year and no one is saying anything about it as long as it creates a suitable avenue for our common wealth to be looted without a trace.
How long are we going to continue wasting money on fanfares without commensurate returns? A careful look at the carnival shows that the event does more harm than good to the state. We must consider a total re-branding of the concept and idea. The idea of continuous display of nudity must be scraped and replaced with intellectual initiatives that should progress beyond the ceremony to become visible enterprises owned by entrepreneurs raised and empowered from the ceremonial exhibitions of talents and potentials from the carnival.
Without the show of nudity, the tourism potentials of Cross River State can match and possibly exceed that of any nation on the earth. Beyond that, if the right environment is created, the human resource potentials of Crossriverians can compete and stand out in any part of the world. Without any iota of exaggerations, Cross River State has so much to offer to the world than this nonsense we see every year. The economic indices of the carnival is a total flub. Morally speaking, Cross River State already has a very bad moral image in the society. So bad such that I'm sometimes ashamed to tell people that I'm an indigene. Just tell somebody that you are from Cross River State and watch the looks you will get. Our moral and spiritual values are being corrupted, the future is being endangered. Children of this generation will grow up to think that nudity is a honourable pathway to fame and influence in the society.
If it's all about the influx of people into the state, instead of importing strippers, use the same money and import Evangelist Reihard Bonke for a one week Crusade in the state. More people will show up, there will be economic boom, moral and spiritual values will improve, countless sick people will recover and lot more benefits. There are so many options within the lines of this write up. If the government doesn't like spirituality, let them bring us infrastructures. They should create the enabling environment for businesses to thrive. Potentials and talents should be sourced, encouraged and empowered beyond the carnival ceremony.
I therefore call on governor Benedict Ayade and his entire cabinet to consider a paradigm shift from the status quo ante. Particularly, those who are appointed to be in charge of the carnival should take responsibility and return to the drawing board to do some research on notable tourist attractions in the world with the aim of driving a new blue print and prospect for the future of Cross River State.
Onabe Edward
Is the General Coordinator of Cross River State Coalition for Change, largest online platform in Cross River
