Gabe Onah Calls for Increased Funding for Carnival Calabar

Gabe Onah, the Chairman of the Cross River State Carnival Commission, announced that Carnival Calabar needs more private sector funding for the 2026 festival. Speaking in Lagos, Onah highlighted the importance of public sector and individual contributions.

He mentioned that the state government, under the leadership of incumbent Governor Bassey Otu, is striving to reintroduce the international segment of the carnival. Onah noted that there have been numerous offers to support this initiative.

He emphasized the necessity of collaboration with the Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy to ensure the festival's success. For this year's Carnival Calabar, Onah revealed plans for digital streaming and online voting, encouraging Nigerians in Africa to join carnival bands.

He discussed the artistic scoring process involving professionals from various fields and the importance of public participation in voting for their preferred bands. Onah expressed gratitude for the support from past governors and the media, while also addressing the need for sustainable funding for the future.