Mr Gabe Onah, Chairman, Carnival Calabar Commission has revealed that the carnival had been listed 4th amongst carnivals globally. 

Onah announced this during the kick off of the grand finale of the 2019 Calabar Carnival which has the theme “Humanity” on Sunday night at the International Carnival Calabar session held at UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar, Cross Rivers.

He said that the commission received a documentation to that effect recently, adding that this attested to the fact that, the carnival had gained huge momentum and recognition over the years.

“Four weeks ago, we received documentation as carnival Calabar was being listed as number four carnival among carnivals across the world.

“This is a remarkable success for us because this has translated to the fact that it is the first carnival in the whole of West Africa,” he said.

Onah attributed the successes recorded so far to Gov. Ben Ayade’s contributions to the improvement of the carnival since he emerged the Governor.

He said Ayade had renewed the carnival’s patent to a registered trade mark.

According to him, the governor also introduces other programmes into the carnival to engage the public like the bikers parade, children carnival and more.

“We appreciate the Governor of the state for impacting positively on the carnival through his brilliant innovative ideas,” he said.

The Chairman of the commission, announced Passion Four and Freedom Band, the joint winners of 2019 Carnival Calabar, as first position, Seagull band 2nd, while Bayside band and Master blaster emerged 3rd and 4th respectively.

He said for the Local Government Areas category, Calabar Municipality Local Government Area came first position, Odukpani Local Government emerged 2nd while Akpabuyo took third.

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“For the state category, Anambra state took first position, Lagos State came 2nd while Enugu state took the third position.

“The most creative and authentic band goes to Passion 4,

“The most improved band of the year goes to Freedom band while Passion 4 gets the most creative and authentic band, likewise the best costume design- and best decorated truck.”

Speaking on this, Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River said that Humanity was the greatest religion on earth because it preaches love, kindness and unity.

“As we leave here today, if we don’t learn anything let us learn that humanity is the greatest religion.

“With humanity, you don’t need your Bible or Qur’an because with it you will show love to your fellow men that needs your love.

“Whether you are rich, poor, tall, short, black or white; humanity does not know the difference because it breaks all barriers,” he said.

"When God created man, he created him to be equal and peaceful but in the course of man’s existence in the world, he has become animalistic.

“I speak with a lot of agony, melancholy, frustration and pain because when God created mankind, he created us in his own image; he created man for the beauty of the world.

“He gave his only begotten son to die for us, but in the course of man’s habitation on earth, man has deviated completely. Man has gradually become more animalistic and animals have become more human,” he said.

Meanwhile, Onah added that Calabar Carnival has become a true platform for cultural diplomacy and a way of changing lives through cultural performances and display.