Although the popular Calabar Carnival had never been held outside Calabar, the capital of Cross River State, since inception, it, however, did recently, when a mini version of the cultural fair was held in Lagos. Toye Ireayo reports. The venue of the event, Zanua Hall, Eko Hotel,

Victoria Island, was filled with eminent Nigerians, celebrities and fun seekers who came to witness the carnival calabar people refer to as ‘Africa’s biggest street party’ live in Lagos. However, the fact that the processions and performances were on stage, instead of the streets of Calabar, did not detract from the fun.

A red carpet event took well over two hours of the show advertised to commence at 3pm before the show eventually started with the arrival of the state governor, Senator Liyel Imoke and other dignitaries.

The Cross River All Stars comprising musicians such as Sunny Neji, Blackky, KC Presh, Sammie Okposo and King Feladey, put people in carnival mood with their rendition of the festival theme song, ‘Christmas in Calabar’. The Master of Ceremony (MC), Patrick Ugbe, explained that the objective of the evening was to bring destination Cross River to Lagos. Ugbe, who is Chief Press Secretary/ Special Adviser, Media to Senator Imoke, added that people would witness what usually takes place in the state over 32 days in hours. And the organisers boldly attempted this with the creative manner the programme was structured; the items on the line-up replicated activities held during the carnival in Calabar.

Singer, Waje, sang a soulful number, For a Minute before Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, leader of the Seagull Band, welcomed guests. Ita-Giwa said it was time Nigeria started thinking beyond oil and embrace tourism to develop the nation’s economy. She claimed that Cross River is the only state in Nigeria that focuses on developing tourism despite being an oil producing state. Ita-Giwa also recalled the history of the carnival. She noted that many thought it was a joke when it started years ago but that she is happy it has “improved tremendously” since then.

The politician, who decried the lack of continuity in government policies, commended Imoke for sustaining what Donald Duke, former governor of the state started.  Carnival Calabar, she reiterated, is not just 32 days of fun and merry making but “a very challenging intellectual exercise.” The five competing bands — Bayside, Freedom, Masta Blasta, Passion4 and Seagull, she added, don’t just dance and entertain; they also research and interpret the theme of the carnival accordingly.

Comedian, Julius Agu, cracked people open with jokes about Nigerian’s penchant for pretence and the antics of tissue paper touts at conveniences at the Murtala International Airport, Lagos . The audience was having a ball with the self styled ‘genius’ when the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) and management of Eko Hotel struck. Power went off and it took some minutes to start the generator. Even when power was later restored, the sound system refused to work. The same repeated itself when two officials of the state Carnival Commission and wife of the Governor, Obioma Imoke, had the floor.

Weird Mc’s rendition of her popular songs, Riran Wo and Ijo Ya  preceded the narration of the story of the Efik Kingdom by the Seagull Band. The band examined the tradition of origin, hopes, challenges and aspirations of the people in a dance drama that was a bit too long. Next up was musician, Banky W who sang Thief My Kele. The up and coming Waje later joined him for another number.

Perhaps, not aware that the night was far spent, another rather lengthy dance drama, Carnival Calabar: Yesterday,Today and the Future  involving all the five bands was taken. Obioma Imoke subsequently let people in to the charity angle of the carnival. Mrs Imoke echoed Ita-Giwa by reiterating that the carnival was not just 32 days of fun and dancing. The Governor’s wife was telling the audience more about her pet project, ‘A State Fit for a Child’ (ASFAC) and its offshoot, Destiny’s Child which takes care of street children, and appealing to sponsors to join in the struggle when the malfunctioning sound system cut her off.  She however continued without the microphone.

While speaking, the Cross River State governor, Senator Liyel Imoke said the carnival no longer belong to Cross River State alone but the whole of Nigeria and explained why the mini carnival was brought to Lagos thus: “Lagos is the centre of it all. We’ve come to share with the people of Lagos and Nigeria.”