The Cross River State Ministry of Tourism and the State Carnival Commission have moved to strengthen their partnership towards the successful staging and promotion of Carnival Calabar 2026.
The Commissioner for Tourism, Chief Ayuk Obi Afor, stated this when he paid a solidarity visit to the Chairman of the Carnival Commission, Sir Gabe Onah, PhD, in Calabar on Tuesday, September 8, 2026.
Afor said the visit was intended to strengthen collaboration between the Ministry and the Commission, particularly in the areas of tourism, culture and carnival development.
Describing the visit as long overdue, the Commissioner expressed his readiness to work closely with the Chairman and members of the Commission, while tapping into their experience in the development and promotion of Carnival Calabar.
“The visit is long overdue. I look forward to working closely with the Chairman and members of the Commission and learning from their wealth of experience,” Afor said.
He commended the Commission for its robust programme for the 2026 festival, describing it as an impressive framework capable of promoting Cross River as a leading tourism and cultural destination.
Afor pledged the Ministry’s support for Carnival Calabar, noting that the 2026 edition would be particularly significant to him as his first opportunity to experience the internationally recognised festival as Commissioner for Tourism.
He said the Ministry would continue to work with the Commission to promote the carnival and maximise its potential as a platform for tourism development, cultural expression and growth of the creative economy in the state.
Responding, Onah welcomed the Commissioner’s visit and expressed optimism that stronger cooperation between the two bodies would enhance the state’s tourism and carnival programmes.
The Chairman said closer collaboration would provide an opportunity for both institutions to align their efforts and build on the successes recorded in the promotion of Carnival Calabar.
The visit featured the presentation of promotional materials for Carnival Calabar 2026, with both officials reaffirming their commitment to working together to strengthen the festival and further project Cross River State as a leading tourism and cultural destination.
By Ibu Harrywills
