5th December, 2013
The annual Calabar Festival took off on Saturday 30 November with a colourful lighting of the Christmas tree, said to be the tallest in Africa.
At the Millennium Park venue of the lighting ceremony, the revellers, including Cross River State Governor, Liyel Imoke, were treated to a two-hour explosive entertainment that climaxed with the lighting of the Christmas tree at midnight, accompanied by fireworks.
Imoke stated that there are two brands recognised by the world today: Nollywood and the Calabar Carnival.
He noted that the tree lighting exercise will go down in the record of Nigeria that next to the tallest and biggest flag in Nigeria, is the tallest Christmas tree.
“We remain in that place where every Nigerian would be proud to be. A place where every Nigerian will say there is a state in Nigeria where you can see the governor walking around, associating with his people, not afraid to be part of the crowd, and the people are warm, happy and beautiful,” said Imoke, who urged youths in the state to make use of their talents.
He recalled that music star like Iyanya and many talents were discovered during the annual festival.
On his part, Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke, reiterated the need for government to galvanise resources and train young artistes to enable them use their creative abilities productively.
Duke also urged Cross Riverians to find in each of them their creative talents that they may showcase to the world instead of waiting on government to provide their needs.
Ace comedian, I Go Die kept revellers that also included the Governor’s wife, Obioma, Air Vice Marshal Gregory Agbonemi, former Military Governor of the state, Nollywood stars like Kate Henshaw, Rita Dominic, Gideon Okeke and Bryan Okwara alongside Mr. U.K Eke, an Executive Director of First Bank, on the edge of their seats.
There were also performances by up and coming musicians discovered during auditions for the festival.