Children Charged to Preserve Cross River’s Cultural Legacy as 2025 Calabar Junior Carnival Kicks Off
The Wife of the Governor of Cross River State, Archbishop Eyoanwan Bassey Otu, has charged children across the state to take ownership of the preservation and sustainability of Cross River’s rich cultural heritage, as she officially flagged off the 2025 Calabar Junior Carnival.
The colourful flag-off ceremony, held at the Botanical Garden in Calabar, marked the formal commencement of children-focused carnival activities under the broader celebration of the 20th anniversary of the iconic Calabar Carnival. This year’s edition is themed “Traces of Time,” a concept that reflects continuity, memory, and cultural responsibility across generations.
Preserving Culture Through the Next Generation
Speaking at the event, Archbishop Otu described the theme as a deliberate and symbolic reminder of the journey Cross River State has travelled culturally, and the responsibility now placed on the younger generation to protect and advance that heritage.
According to her, the theme encapsulates a collective duty to honour the past, celebrate the present, and consciously prepare children to safeguard the future of the state’s cultural identity.
“Our children are the heartbeat of this carnival and the promise of tomorrow,” she said. “This platform is not just for entertainment; it is designed to instil pride, discipline and responsibility in our young ones as custodians of our shared heritage.”
She stressed that the Junior Carnival goes beyond colourful costumes and performances, serving instead as a formative space where values, traditions and identity are passed on deliberately.
Building Values Through Culture
The First Lady noted that the creativity, energy and enthusiasm displayed by participating children must be properly guided and channelled towards sustaining the values handed down by previous generations. She emphasised that cultural continuity does not happen by accident but through intentional mentorship and structured guidance.
Archbishop Otu also commended parents, teachers, educators, volunteers and band leaders for their dedication to nurturing the children, noting that without their commitment, the legacy of the carnival would not endure.
“What we are doing today is not just celebration; it is investment. Investment in values, in discipline, and in a future where our cultural identity remains strong,” she added.
A Legacy Built Over Two Decades
Reflecting on the history of the Calabar Carnival, the First Lady observed that many of the children participating today were not yet born when the festival began. Yet, they are now beneficiaries of a cultural legacy built through years of commitment, creativity and collective pride.
She urged the children to see themselves as torchbearers of that legacy, entrusted with sustaining the spirit and values that have made the Calabar Carnival a globally recognised cultural brand.
Aligning Culture with Sustainable Development
Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of the Cross River State Carnival Commission, Sir Gabe Onah, welcomed guests and participants, praising Archbishop Otu for her unwavering advocacy for children, education and purposeful cultural engagement.
According to him, the evolution from a Children’s Carnival to a Junior Carnival aligns with the state government’s broader vision of promoting responsible and sustainable tourism anchored on human capital development and cultural continuity.
He noted that the initiative reinforces Cross River’s commitment to using culture as a tool for education, social cohesion and economic growth, especially among the younger population.
A Cultural Future in Safe Hands
Akahi News gathered that the 2025 Junior Carnival will feature a series of child-focused cultural showcases, educational engagements and creative performances designed to nurture confidence, teamwork and cultural pride among participants.
As Cross River celebrates two decades of carnival excellence, the spotlight on children signals a forward-looking approach—one that ensures the state’s rich traditions remain alive, relevant and proudly preserved for generations to come.
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