The Wife of the Governor of Cross River State, Archbishop Eyoanwan Bassey Otu, has charged children in the state to take ownership of the preservation and sustainability of Cross River’s rich cultural heritage, as she officially flagged off the 2025 Calabar Junior Carnival.
The flag-off ceremony, held at the Botanical Garden, Calabar, marked the commencement of children-focused carnival activities as part of events celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Calabar Carnival, themed “Traces of Time.”
Speaking at the event, the First Lady explained that the theme reflects a deliberate effort to honour the past, celebrate the present and consciously prepare the younger generation to safeguard the future of the state’s cultural identity.
She described children as the heartbeat of the carnival and the promise of tomorrow, noting that the Junior Carnival is designed to instil pride, discipline and a sense of responsibility in young participants as custodians of the state’s cultural legacy.
According to her, the vibrant energy, creativity and talents displayed by the children must be channelled towards sustaining the values, traditions and heritage handed down by previous generations.
Archbishop Otu commended parents, teachers, educators, volunteers and band leaders for their roles in grooming the children, stressing that the legacy of the carnival can only endure through intentional mentoring and value-driven guidance.
Reflecting on the history of the Calabar Carnival, she observed that many of the children were not yet born when the carnival began, but are now beneficiaries of a legacy built through years of commitment and cultural pride, which they must continue to uphold.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Cross River State Carnival Commission, Sir Gabe Onah, welcomed guests to the event and praised the First Lady for her consistent advocacy for children, education and purposeful celebrations.
He noted that the transition from Children’s Carnival to Junior Carnival aligns with the state’s vision of responsible and sustainable tourism, driven by human capital development and cultural continuity.
Kingsley Agim and Esther Okoi
