First and last time

• Published date: 09 January 2023
• Publication title: Nigeria - The Nation

Deaths at Calabar Carnival avoidable; organisers of crowd-pulling events must ensure such never happen again

Conceived by the Governor Donald Duke administration, Calabar Carnival started in 2004 as a way of promoting tourism and improving the economy of Cross River State. The carnival, also known as 'Africa's Biggest Street Party' or the 'Pride of Nigeria', is an annual event held in December as part of activities to mark Christmas celebration. Elenda Osima-Dokubo, former Executive Secretary, Cross River State Carnival Commission, describes it as 'the carnival aimed to include more aspects of local heritage and culture and at the same time strengthen the capacity of the locals to participate in an economically beneficial way.'

Calabar Carnival used to be a month-long celebration until the advent of the incumbent Governor Ben Ayade administration which reduced its duration to two weeks. The carnival has always been entertaining and colorful, with different competitions and awards of huge cash prizes.

So, when last year's edition began, it was its usual entertaining and colourful best, providing the spectators with memories that would linger, until a motorist spoilt the fun. He broke into the barricade after his vehicle reportedly lost control on December 27, killing seven persons on the spot and injuring more than 20 others. The bikers activity for the day was subsequently suspended.

Governor Ayade visited the injured at the Navy Hospital in Calabar the following day, where he assured that security would be strengthened for the carnival by drafting soldiers in to assist the police. 'We're here in Navy Hospital, Calabar, to see some of the accident victims from yesterday. We had a situation in which a driver, whose identity is yet to be unravelled properly, got himself forcefully into the carnival route which was properly barricaded and well-policed, and in the course of being on high speed, missed his way and ran into the watching public,' the governor said.

He added that 'As a result of that, we had some loss of lives, and we are here to see those in the hospital to show the concern of the government.' A visibly angry Ayade threatened that any vehicle which broke into the barricade again would be impounded and auctioned.

We can understand his pain and anger. How on earth could people who left their homes to catch some fun as part of activities to bid the outgoing year goodbye never return to their homes alive? How could people have lost limbs and other parts...