To further ensure a successful, peaceful and hitch free 2023 Carnival Calabar celebration, the Cross River State Carnival Commission team has embarked on familiarization visits to Security formations to strengthen existing ties ahead of the famous event come December 28, 2023.
The visits which began with the Nigerian Correctional Services also saw the team visiting the Federal Road Safety Corps, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigerian Police State Headquarters, and the Department Of State Services, Cross River State Command a day after.
Speaking at separate interactive sessions, the Executive Secretary, Carnival Commission, Honourable Austine Cobham, thanked the Security Agencies for their cooperation, commitments and display of professionalism in the past Carnivals as well as in the handling of affairs in State.
Cobham informed the Agencies that apart from the flagship event which Carnival Calabar, the state has returned to 32 days of festival which entails a lot of traffic and sought their cooperation in ensuring that commuters, participants and tourists remain safe all through the festival period and beyond.
According to him, the visit was to reaffirm the long standing relationship between the Commission and the Security Agencies while appealing for re-enforcement to forestall any security breaches during the events.
Responding, Dr Kupan Amos, the Comptroller, Nigeria Correctional Services, assured the team that his men will, in partnership with other Security Agencies, re-strategize to combat any security challenge that may rear its head, especially with the enabling environment made possible for them by Governor Bassey Otu.
Mr Emmanuel Akinrinsola, the Comptroller, Nigeria Immigration Service, Cross River State Command, pledged their continued support, adding that his team would always uphold diplomatic etiquette and promote tourism, as part of Immigration's training.
Also responding, Mr. Augustine Grimah, the Commissioner of Police Cross River State Command, appealed to the Commission to always involve Security Agencies in their planning, so as to enable them tutor their officials on security measures, precautions, rules and regulations.
On his part, State Director Of Security Services, Mr. John Shokoya, guaranteed a stronger synergy to check possible security hitch and admonished the Carnival Team to follow strictly, the recommended security measures as his men will be fully mobilized for the event.
On the entourage of the Executive Secretary were Barrister Oyama Ndifon, Director of Administration, Mr. Effiom Bassey Effiom, Commissioner Marketing, Miss Grace Ann Odu, Commissioner Media, Miss Shirley Effiom, Commissioner Band Liaison, Mr James Bullem, Commissioner Planning Research and Statistics.
