From Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar
Nine states across the country participated in the flag off of this year’s cultural carnival in Cross River State.
The participating states comprise Kebbi, kogi, Niger, Akwa Ibom, Edo, Adamawa, Delta, Osun and Ebonyi states.
The carnival, which is one of the activities lined up for this year’s carnival’s competition also had all 18 local government areas in the state participating alongside the Yoruba community in the state.
Speaking while flagging off the carnival, the state governor, Senator Bassey Otu, tasked the competing states to give their best as his administration had incentivized the competition.
“This year’s festivities begin with the cultural carnival and it also serves as the dress rehearsal for the main carnival.
“The action begins today and we are going to showcase once more our rich cultural heritage to the world.
“I want you to showcase your best, as we have increased the prize money for this year’s carnival and will do it again next year,” the governor said.
The carnival will be preceded by the junior carnival before the main carnival and participants are expected to interpret the theme of this year’s event which is “Our shared prosperity.”