The President, Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria, FTAN, Dr. Badaki Aliyu has said that tourism stakeholders will support the 2026 Carnival Calabar to make it a huge success.
He said this at the well attended Unveiling of the 2026 Carnival Calabar theme: “Rethinking Our Collective Destiny” at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos.
Badaki promised that the 2026 Carnival Calabar Festival is going to be greater than the 2025 edition with the full participation of the tourism body with its member associations.
He Commended Governor, Bassey Otu for bringing the past governors during last year ligting of the Christmass Tree in Calabar .
Badaki also lauded the Chairman Carnival Calabar Commission, Sir Gabe Onah, for organising a vey wonderful event last year .
He stated that what tourism industry witnessed last year was marvellous.
“On the side of tourism industry, from the tour operators, travel agencies, and tourism practioners, it has to be a very big event than the previous ones,” he said.
He said the locals will benefit hugely from the making of costumes, floats and other materials needed for the carnival.
Speaking at the event, the International Consultant of the Carnival Calabar Festival, Ambassador Ikechi Uko stated that in the rave about Detty December, Cross River State has been there from the begining.
Uko.urged the tour operators and travel agencies to package tours and sell to the world.
He emphasised that now Nigeria has a world class tourism product in the Carnival, the tour operators are expected to double the numbers of tourists coming into the country, praising the Carnival Calabar Commission for giving Nigeria a product to present to the world.
In his welcome address earlier, the Chairman Carnival Calabar Commission Sir Gabe Onah stated that Carnival Calabar has been rated as one of the best internationally.
Onah said the commision has introduced the innovative online voting for people to make their choices, stressing that online vetting of the videos is also on the pipeline.
The well attended event featured presentation of plaques to winning local governments, states that performed exceptionally and performing bands at 2025 event with Calavegas Band sweeping most of the award for the night, as part of as build up to the carnival.
The former Minister of Culture and Tourism, High Chief Edem Duke and Leader of the Calavegas Band presented the awards and other items it won and received from India for the band’s paricipation based on invitation in a tourism event in India.
The event atttacted top officials from the Cross River State Government, including the Governor who unveiled the Carnival theme, the Deputy Governor , Speaker of the Cross River State, other top state officials, stakeholders in the travel and tourism industry among others .
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