By Janefrances Chibuzor
As Carnival Calabar marks its 20th edition, the Cross River State Carnival Commission says this year’s focus is not on expansion but on refinement, precision and global competitiveness.
According to the Commission’s Executive Secretary, Mr. Austin Cobham, the milestone edition is designed to reflect maturity, resilience and fulfilment—both in execution and in spirit.
Speaking on preparations for the anniversary carnival, Cobham said expectations should be framed around quality rather than size.
He explained that the Commission deliberately resisted the temptation to introduce new elements, choosing instead to strengthen and optimise existing components of the carnival.
“I would not be too loud, but I think this is going to be a properly choreographed carnival that meets world-class standards,” he said. “We are not adding new properties. We are improving what we already have and making them more effective and more exciting.”
Central to this year’s planning, he noted, is a recalibration of carnival routes to enhance audience experience and brand visibility. According to him, this adjustment is also aimed at ensuring better value for sponsors and partners, while sustaining the unique identity of Carnival Calabar.
Beyond spectacle, Cobham described the 20th edition as an emotional statement. “It is going to be an expression of a fulfilled people—people who are fulfilled that after 20 years, Carnival Calabar has not gone down. It will be an expression of the heart of Cross River State,” he said.
On what sets this year apart, Cobham attributed the difference largely to early planning and disciplined execution. He explained that preparations began earlier than usual, allowing the Commission to properly align concepts, logistics and performance timelines.
“This year, we placed things in their right perspective on time. Now we are in a plug-and-play phase,” he said, adding that activities have been deliberately structured to build momentum. “From our first event, there has been no drop in energy. It has been rising in tempo.”
He described the current phase as the carnival’s “highlight weeks,” noting that if the opening events were strong, expectations for the peak period—popularly referred to as “Power Week”—should be even higher. A major departure from past editions, he added, is the decision to ensure that the carnival procession runs within a defined timeframe.
“This year, when Carnival begins, it will end within 10 to 12 hours. That is part of the proper choreography of the entire route,” he said.
Addressing challenges, Cobham acknowledged that they are inevitable but largely structural and geographic. He explained that Cross River State’s location, at the southernmost edge of Nigeria, makes it a destination rather than a transit route, requiring additional effort to attract tourists.
“We need to work harder to bring the numbers,” he said. “Unlike other places where people naturally pass through, Cross River must deliberately draw visitors in.”
He also pointed to funding pressures, noting that Carnival Calabar operates at a national scale while being funded by a state government. According to him, this reality is often misunderstood, particularly by corporate organisations that could support the carnival through stronger corporate social responsibility commitments.
Despite these constraints, Cobham described the experience as rewarding, stressing that time limitations and logistical pressures have not dampened the Commission’s resolve.
Reflecting on the last two years under the current administration, Cobham said the period has been the most fulfilling of his career within the Carnival Commission. Having served under previous administrations, he credited the present government’s leadership style for creating a productive working environment.
“What stands out is that the governor listens—regardless of your position. He takes what he hears seriously and acts on it,” Cobham said. “For me, this is the best time to work in government.
The atmosphere is conducive, and that reflects in the work we are doing.”
