Nyok|27 December 2018
December 26, 2018:
1. Cultural Carnival
Kick off point: Millennium Park (11-11 Roundabout) through Mary Slessor Avenue, down to Rabana Roundabout and back to the stadium.
Time: 10.00AM
December 27, 2018:
1. Biker’s Carnival (Biker’s Parade)
Kick off: Tinapa Junction to Millennium Park (through the 12km Carnival routes)
Time: 10.00AM
2. Miss Africa Pageantry (Miss Africa Calabar 2018)
Venue: Calabar International Convention Centre (CICC)
Time: 7.00PM
December 28, 2018:
1. Carnival Calabar (Africa’s Biggest Street Party) – Main Carnival
Takeoff point: Millennium Park (through the 12km Carnival route)
Time: 10.00AM
December 29, 2018:
1. International Carnival
Venue: U. J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar
Time: 9.00pm
December 30, 2018:
1. Nyoro Ekpe Festival
Venue: Zoological Garden
Time: 12noon-6pm
2. Street Party
Venue: Rabana Roundabout by IBB Way to Calabar Municipality
Time: 8pm-till dawn
December 31st, 2018 – January 1st, 2019
1. Fireworks Night
Venue: Cenotaph Christmas Village to Atekong
Time: Midnight.
Carnival Calabar dubbed Africa's street biggest party began in 2004 in Cross River State in Nigeria when the then Executive Governor of the State, His Excellency Mr Donald Duke envisioned Cross River to be the leading destination for tourism and hospitality in Nigeria and Africa.
Carnival Calabar which begins from 1st of December to 1 of January has five competing bands, namely, Passion 4, Bayside, Seagull, Masta Blasta and Freedom.
It was in the 2015 Climate Change themed Carnival Calabar that Bikers Day was introduced into the festival by the incumbent governor, Prof Ben Ayade. In 2016 this theme was retained with the phrase: bigger, bolder and better; whilst in 2017 the theme was 'migration'.
The 2018 edition of the carnival and festival which began on Wednesday kicked off with at least 25 states in attendance.
Explaining why this year's tag is Africanism, Governor Ayade said that, 'Why should Africa wait for the Western world to tell its story and show its own heritage? When I see Africans cross the Mediterranean and deserts, I wonder why people would want to leave this continent that is so blessed with human and natural resources.
'Cross River wants to tell all young men and women that, the best place to be is Africa where there is rich human and natural resources,' he said.
Efio-Ita Nyok is the blogger-in-chief, editor-in-chief and publisher of NEGROIDHAVEN
