Governor Bassey Otu flags off 2025 Bikers Carnival, assuring safety, tourism growth, and global participation in Cross River’s flagship festival.
Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to safety, tourism promotion, and global cultural exchange during the flag-off of the 2025 Bikers Carnival, a signature event of the Carnival Calabar festival.
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Represented by his deputy, Peter Odey, Otu assured residents and the international community that the state is prepared to host a large-scale festival, highlighting personal inspections of carnival routes to ensure they are motorable and hazard-free.
“Let us tell the world that Cross River State is safe. I have gone round the routes myself; there are no potholes and the roads are smooth,” Otu said.
He stressed the importance of strict adherence to safety protocols, urging all bikers to wear helmets, reflective vests, and maintain proper riding discipline. The governor added that ambulances, medical personnel, and insurance coverage had been deployed to ensure a hitch-free event.
“With doctors on ground, ambulances stationed, and insurance fully covered, we want this carnival to be remembered only for positive reasons,” he stated.
Chairman of the Cross River State Carnival Commission, Gabe Onah, described the Bikers Carnival as part of a broader effort to preserve cultural heritage and reconnect younger generations with the values and creativity embedded in Carnival Calabar.
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Onah also revealed the presence of the ECOWAS Commission, with representatives from 12 member nations, highlighting the growing business, talent, and creative-sector opportunities the festival presents on the regional stage.
