WIFE of the Cross River State governor, Mrs Linda Ayade, on Sunday flagged off amidst fun and glamour the second dry run of the 2016 Carnival Calabar.
The dry run, which set the clock ticking for the countdown of the biggest street party in Africa, rallied the five different carnival bands and also 30 carnival queens from different African countries.
Speaking during the flag off, Mrs Ayade said the carnival is one of the unique platform that showcase the rich cultural splendour of the people of Cross River and they will continue to improve on it to making it bigger and better.
“Last year, the theme of the carnival focused on climate change and how to make our environment better. This year, we are continuing with the theme and through our tourism efforts, things will get bigger and better.
Also, Governor Ben Ayade, who spoke at the sideline of the second Dry Run said that he will continue to consolidate on innovations on ground to see that he puts the state on the world map.
Professor Ayade called on Nigeria to use tourism to turn around the economy of the country, adding that it is the only way things can get better.
Prof Ayade said nobody can change the country for Nigerians because it belongs to them. So we don’t have to wait for outsiders but do it ourselves.
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