In a bold fusion of spirituality and culture, the Cross River State Government has launched a new annual event — the “Carnival Parade of Thanksgiving and Festival of Praise,” widely known as the “Jesus Carnival.” Slated to take place every Easter season, this unique celebration has officially joined the state’s tourism calendar.
The inaugural edition kicked off on Easter Monday in Calabar, with Governor Senator Bassey Otu and his wife, Bishop Eyoawan Bassey Otu, leading thousands in a joyful procession of music, prayer, and praise.
Unlike the secular Carnival Calabar, held every December, the Jesus Carnival offers a sacred counterpart — a vibrant festival that merges Christian faith, cultural pride, and public gratitude. Organizers say it was conceived to honor God for the continued success of Carnival Calabar and to celebrate the spiritual growth of the state.
“Jesus Christ has taken Cross River to unimaginable heights in just two years,” Governor Otu declared. “I proclaimed this a Godly state, with Jesus as our true governor. From now on, Easter Monday will be set aside to say, ‘Father, thank You for how far You’ve brought us.’”
The governor urged Christians to remain steadfast in prayer for the state, adding that “no investment in the things of God is ever wasted.” He also commended the clergy and congregations who turned out in large numbers to support the event.
The parade spanned major landmarks in Calabar Municipality and Calabar South, including Millennium Park, Watt Market, Nelson Mandela Street, Target Street, and the Mary Slessor Roundabout. Prayers were offered at several points along the route, giving the event a deeply spiritual tone.
Amid vibrant gospel music and jubilant dancing, the First Lady, Bishop Eyoawan Otu, shared that the event was born from a desire to give Jesus Christ a permanent place in the state’s cultural showcase.
“While Carnival Calabar reflects our culture, this celebration reflects our faith,” she said. “It is a festival dedicated to Christ — a time to honor His sacrifice and express our collective thanksgiving.”
Mr. Effiong Ekpenyong, Special Adviser to the Governor on Event Management, credited the First Lady as the visionary behind the Jesus Carnival. He oversaw the parade’s planning and emphasized its importance as a new spiritual tourism attraction.
“With this event, Cross River reinforces its identity as a state where faith and culture unite,” he said. “Easter now becomes more than a religious observance — it is a statewide celebration of divine gratitude and joyful expression.”
The day’s festivities concluded with electrifying gospel performances, headlined by internationally renowned singer and producer Cobhams Asuquo, whose music filled the streets with worship and awe.
Prayers and blessings were led by several notable religious leaders, including Rev. (Dr.) Takis Etim Caiafas, State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN); Bishop Josef Bassey, Bishop Emma Isong, Bishop Bassey E. Edem, and Apostle Frank Umoh, among many others from diverse Christian backgrounds.
