PHOTOS: Cross River State Agog For Calabar Carnival Today

The much awaited biggest street party in Africa – Calabar Carnival will kick-off today, December 27.

Band leaders prepare for their costume

Hosted by the Cross River state government, the carnival, which is an annual event has become the number one fun spot for many Nigerians and indeed foreigners during the festive season.

Installation of sound systems across the routes of the carnival

Naij.com team is on ground in the state and reports that major routes that the carnival procession will pass through have been cordoned off.

Major roads cordoned off in Calabar ahead of today’s carnival

There is a light presence of security agencies to prevent the breakdown of law and order in the routes, even as various bands participating in the event are preparing for the kick-off.

Officials of the Nigeria Civil Defence Corps on duty around the carnival routes

Traders are also on the streets displaying different types of Calabar carnival souvenirs and costume for interested buyers.

Traders display their wares at various routes

Journalists are also not left out as many of the pressmen and women are getting accreditation for the event at the Calabar Carnival Commission House in the state capital.

Journalists awaiting accreditation at the Calabar Carnival Commission House

There is excitement in the air as the state is on standstill and the event will kick-off in a few hours.

A number of residents who spoke to Naij.com expressed their delight about the carnival and praised the government of Mr Ben Ayade, the governor of the state, for sustaining the tradition which started during the tenure of former governor, Donald Duke.

Band members await instruction from their leaders

Mary, a food seller along IBB way in Calabar, said: ”We look forward to this event every year because of the number of people that come in to town from far and wide. We also benefit from it because we make massive sales during this period.”

A cab operator in the state, Joseph Inyang, also bared his mind on the carnvial. He said: ”This is the best time of the year in Calabar. We receive so many visitors and this carnival has made sure that our state is now in the map of the world.”

Naij.com correspondent reports that almost all the hotels in the state are booked. A visit to most of the hotels indicates that many of them have been fully booked since Thursday, December 24.

A make-up artist prepares a band leader for the carnival

This year’s event is set to be the biggest ever as Naij.com gathered from a source at the Calabar Carnival Commission House that about seven countries are participating in the carnival.

 

The post PHOTOS: Cross River State Agog For Calabar Carnival Today appeared first on Nigeria News today & Breaking news | Read on NAIJ.COM.

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