Representatives of at least 14 states across Nigeria have arrived in Cross River state for the 2022 edition of Calabar cultural carnival.
According to NAN, the event held a cultural parade designed to showcase the country’s rich cultures on Monday.
The parade was attended by cultural troupes from the northern and southern parts of the country.
Among states that were on ground to perform at the cultural parade include Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Kaduna, Kogi, Oyo, and Cross River, the host.
It is understood that six more states are scheduled to join the carnival, making it a total of 20 states gracing the carnival.
Declaring the event open, Ben Ayade, governor of Cross River, said Calabar carnival has become a brand that other states look forward to.
Ayade, who was represented by Ivara Esu, his deputy, said the parade would showcase the cultures of different states as well as that of the 18 LGAs in Cross River.
The governor added that the event would help to reveal “the multifarious nature of Nigeria’s cultural heritage”.
Also speaking, Austin Cobhams, the executive secretary of the carnival commission, said the parade was a fusion of cultures in Nigeria.
Cobhams said that apart from showing the world what the state could offer, they were using the festival to see how Nigeria could speak about unity with one voice through culture and tourism.
On his part, Ken Akla, chairman of Calabar festival committee, said the parade was a mixture of the country’s cultures intended to showcase the country’s heritage.
The carnival will continue on December 27 with Bikers’ Parade and Miss Africa Beauty pageant.
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