Calabar, the Cross River State capital, went into party
mode Saturday, November 30, as the 2013 Calabar Festival flagged off with
"Calabar Beckons", a variety event featuring comedy, dance, music,
and the ceremonial lighting of West Africa's largest Christmas tree, at
Millennium Park in Calabar.
The occasion was graced by the creme of Cross
Riverian and Nigerian society, headlined by the State Governor, Senator Liyel
Imoke CON, and the Federal Minister for Tourism, High Chief Edem Duke, in his
own right one of the initial drivers of a movement that is now the biggest
multi-dimensional culture and lifestyle event in West Africa. Also in
attendance at the Festival opening event were some of Nollywood's fairest and
finest, among them our very own Kate Henshaw, Rita Dominic and Gideon Okeke
(known from his role in the M-Net series Tinsel, and as the host of The Money
Drop, also on M-Net).
Performances featured comedian, I Go
Die, musicians Deborah Jazz and Icebox, the CRS Drumline, dancers Madex, and a
command performance of "Africa's Warmest Welcome", entertaining the
good people of the Canaan City.
Speaking during the ceremony, Governor Imoke enjoined all
to enjoy the atmosphere of the Festival, saying it celebrated the uniqueness
and culture of what he said had come to be Nigeria's freest state, where the
high and mighty associate with the people as one, in freedom and peace. Also
speaking, the Tourism Minister disclosed that work is in progress to set up a
creative academy in Cross River State, to harness the immense talents that
abound throughout the State, saying that the creativity of Cross Riverians
would win the future for their State.
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