…As Calas Vegas wins milestone version
…Tiwa Savage excites full-capacity stadium
Those that had been in Calabar within the energy week of Carnival Calabar 2025 will confess to having fun with among the finest dwell theatres in Africa.
From inside, throughout the nation, from Africa and from the diasporas, the streets had been filled with indigenes and guests alike, who got here to partake in the most effective of tradition, leisure, tourism and hospitality generously on show within the secure and clear streets Calabar, the Cross River State capital, which is fondly known as Canaan Metropolis by those that cherish its many tourism potential.
In fact, the 2025 version of the annual carnival was breathtaking, breaking all data achieved within the earlier editions.
Firstly, it’s the twentieth version of the carnival, therefore the spectators had been thrilled past expectations with exhibits and performances worthy of the milestone anniversary.
Secondly, the group was greater than anticipated. As one native put it, “all people in Calabar is on the road for this yr’s carnival”. A middle-aged lady insisted that the governor did the magic by reaching out to the individuals earlier, one other interjected that the carnival is the lifetime of the individuals and they are going to be on the road with or with out even the bands. “It’s our factor earlier than the federal government began supporting it,” a retiree mentioned, whereas having fun with the carnival float from his veranda.
Thirdly, the bands had been very aggressive, and introduced their A recreation of their numerous shows, all in makes an attempt to interpret the 2025 theme “Traces of Time” in an effort to woo higher marks from the adjudicators.
Once more, the inns and associated companies had been smiling to the financial institution as a result of big patronage courtesy of the massive arrival of tourists.
They waited patiently till 2:30pm, on December 29,2025, when Bassey Otu, governor of Cross River State, and his entourage, composed of high-profile personalities throughout authorities, diplomatic neighborhood, company and enterprise world, stormed the Millenium Park to flag off the carnival.
In his tackle, the governor was grateful to the poisoners of the carnival, previous governors, competing bands and sponsors for his or her particular person and collective efforts which have sustained the carnival for 20 profitable years.
He declared it open and known as on all to benefit from the greatest avenue celebration in Africa, they usually instantly heeded to his calling.
The non-competing bands opened the present with a number of bands, together with Diasporas Band led by Abike Dabiri-Erewa, chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Fee (NIDCOM), the Governor’s Band, sponsors, amongst others.
Then got here the massive and foremost event, the competing manufacturers filling out on the carnival route one after the opposite, together with; Seagull Band, Masta Blasta, Diamond, Freedom, Calas Vegas, Bayside and Ardour 4.
The Seagull band was the primary to hit the 12-kilometer-long carnival route, which winds by town of Calabar.
The bands transfer from the Millennium Park all the way down to the Calabar Highway, by Watt Market Roundabout, Mary Slessor Avenue, Marian Highway, and Atekong Drive, earlier than looping again to conclude on the J.U Esuene Stadium, close to the Millennium Park.
Whereas on the route, the bands cease at 4 adjudication factors for half-hour every to carry out, entertain the spectators and most significantly, impress the adjudicators for votes.
This was precisely what the Seagull Band did. The band danced, displayed and excited the group all the way in which from the flag off level to the Mary Slessor Roundabout, the primary adjudication level. The presence of Florence Ita-Giwa, the band leaders, and her entourage together with Okon Lagos, a well-liked comic, boosted the band efficiency, amid cheers from the group.
The band made efforts at deciphering the carnival theme, ‘Traces of Time’ with its many enthralling shows, dances, acrobatics, signage and sculpture works.
They trailed life earlier than time, in early days, pre-colonial and post-colonial Nigeria, the great outdated days and when issues fell aside. It additionally provided options, urging for restoration, afforestation, amongst different cures.
After the spectacular first competing band’s present, the Calas Vegas band adopted shortly.
As anticipated, the two-time winners, enthralled with a protracted flout, notably a practice, which trailed the start of the carnival until date, from 2004 to 2025.
Their presentation went so far as earlier than the carnival, the place the individuals of Calabar stormed their streets in a mini present and celebration of Christmas.
They highlighted the fact of right this moment, particularly local weather change, meals safety and wish for a harmonious society.
Freedom Band took over with its presentation tagged “Enduring Parade, Daybreak-Past”.
Just like the earlier bands, Freedom Band additionally made efforts at deciphering the carnival theme, going again in time, capturing the great outdated days, independence, coups, energy mongering, army shakeup from 1966 to 1999, return to democracy, amongst others, until date.
Gloom, neglect, controversial judgments, particularly the forgone 79 oil wells to Akwa Ibom State, amongst others.
They’d fireworks, choral performances capturing the occasions, and moods of these eras in addition to the oil increase, and the period of recent daybreak of goldmine 1990-2007.
Freedom Band ended its shows with a candle mild for its late chief that steered the band for profitable 15 years.
The Bayside band adopted shortly.
The band provided a mini stage play of how peaceable the Efik nation was in these days, the cultural heritage, the killing of twins, the arrival of the colonial masters, slavery, the stopping of the killing of twins, amongst others on a dwell stage.
The band traced the instances with wonderful particulars from the tranquil precolonial period to colonial, slavery, independence, first Republic, civil warfare, the millennials, Gen Z, Covid-19 and EndSars protests. The band’s shows had been extra of musicals amid dance.
In fact, Ardour 4, the 11-time winners of the carnival, got here to make one other shot on the prize. The band tagged its presentation ‘Footprints in Time’.
Properly, as a substitute of DJ’s music, the band was progressive, introducing Finish-time Dancers that provided music for its shows, which had been below 4 periods; heritage, loots, recoveries, and celebrations.
The band creatively captured the struggle between international and indigenous religions in a drama that saved the group cheering.
Intriguingly, in the direction of the top of their presentation, DJ’s music went off, but the band danced with out music, leaving the group cheering much more.
The Diamond Band got here subsequent with in a presentation tagged ‘The Chronicler’.
Its recasting of time previous, particularly precolonial and slavery eras, had been enthralling to say the least.
But, the Masta Blasta Band led by Liyel Imoke, a former governor, was spectacular too.
The band was the final to carry out on the carnival and it opened its present with an unbelievable hearth show and video on the carnival up to now on a big display screen, then a magician that enthralled all by his magic, salsa dance, amongst different performances.
On the finish, the carnival, which began at 2:30 pm on December twenty ninth by the Seagull Band, ended at 5:31 am on December thirtieth by the Masta Blasta band.
Like in each competitors, there may be at all times a winner. Following its enthralling shows, performances and greatest interpretation of the theme, the Calas Vegas Band emerged the winner in the principle carnival.
Earlier on the Kids Carnival, Freedom Band was declared winner by the adjudicators, Calabar South Native Authorities Space emerged winner of the Cultural Carnival, whereas Rivers State gained the Cultural Carnival State.
Additionally, on the evening of the principle carnival, Tiwa Savage led different music superstars to enliven the J.U Esuene Stadium, which was stuffed to capability by the followers. The feminine musician, added color to her efficiency with out footwear on the stage.
Talking on the carnival’s profitable twentieth version, Effiong Ekpenyong, particular adviser, Occasions Administration, and chairman, Carnival Calabar & Pageant Committee, shared a collective sense of pleasure and achievement. “The twentieth Version of Carnival Calabar was greater than a celebration; it was an announcement of resilience, development, and cultural continuity,” he mentioned.
“Seeing the streets come alive, the bands carry out with excellence, and the overwhelming turnout from each residents and guests affirms that Carnival Calabar has actually come of age. It was a profitable mix of tradition, leisure, tourism, and unity”.
Gabe Onah, chairman, Cross River Carnival Fee, attributed the massive success to collective efforts of the federal government, the bands, the sponsors, the individuals and the media in sustaining the occasion for 20 years and operating.
“We’re grateful to all that our carnival has achieved a 20-year milestone and is rising even stronger. The thrill is much more, attendance extra spectacular and extra infrastructure in place to assist quick access and luxury of our guests,” Onah mentioned.
He assured that the carnival will make the most of its 20 years achievement to grace world phases and woo extra participation to Calabar for the approaching editions.
Ikechi Uko, worldwide marketing consultant to the carnival, is impressed with the group, which he famous is greater than earlier editions.
He additionally counseled the varied bands for heightening the thrill for the spectators with their enthralling performances, noting that the essence of the carnival is for the individuals to personal and luxuriate in it, which is the case for Carnival Calabar.
“The carnival lived as much as my expectations, from the spectacular crowd, high quality of performances, easy organisation to secure enjoyment for all,” Uko mentioned.
However one of many resounding testimonies of the twentieth and milestone version of the carnival is from the Nzerems, a father and son, who arrived from the UK to see and benefit from the carnival for the primary time.
Ejike Nzerem, and his 87-year-old father had been in every single place on the carnival, from the flagg off on the Millennium Park to the adjudications factors.
“We had been advised it’s a world well-known carnival and what we’ve got seen up to now confirmed it,” Ejike, enthused.
He was seen coming into native retailers at will to purchase drinks, water and peanut.
For the daddy, who hails from Imo State, the peace, love, pleasure and security on the streets of Calabar say a greater story of Nigeria.
“Individuals ought to come and expertise this pleasure, share the tales, and never the detrimental issues,” the daddy urged, whereas assuring on a return go to for the 2026 version, God keen.
Other than the Nzerems, many dispoaras graced the carnival, whereas Nigeria emptied into Calabar as one observer put it contemplating the humongous crowd on the streets, and the stadium overflowing with spectators at each occasion of the carnival.
