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Cross River adds ‘Jesus Carnival’ to its tourism calendar
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The Cross River State Government has officially introduced a new annual event into its tourism calendar. The event, titled “Carnival Parade of Thanksgiving and Festival of Praise” — popularly known as the “Jesus Carnival” — will be held every Easter season.
The maiden edition took place on Easter Monday in the state capital, Calabar, and was flagged off by the governor, Senator Bassey Otu, alongside his wife, Bishop Eyoawan Bassey Otu.
The colourful and spiritually charged event, marked by splendor and cultural flair, is a spiritual offshoot of the globally celebrated Carnival Calabar, traditionally held every December.
Organizers explained that the Jesus Carnival is designed as a moment of collective gratitude to God for the success of Carnival Calabar and the continued progress of the state. It blends faith, culture, and thanksgiving into a unique Christian celebration during the Easter season.
Speaking at the event, Governor Otu declared: “Jesus Christ has taken Cross River State to unimaginable heights within two years of this administration. From inception, I declared this a Godly state, and Jesus the true governor.
“Easter Monday has now been set aside to celebrate Jesus and to say, ‘Father, thank You for how far You’ve brought us.’ The story of Cross River State is changing for the better. I’m grateful to all the men and women of God who have continually kept the state in their prayers.”
He called on more Christians to join the effort to pray for Cross River, emphasizing that “no investment in the things of God is ever wasted.”
The governor also thanked the large contingent of clergy who led their congregations in participating in the event.
The parade route covered several strategic locations across Calabar Municipality and Calabar South, including Millennium Park, Watt Market, Nelson Mandela Street, Target Street, and the Mary Slessor Roundabout, before returning to the main carnival corridor.
Prayers were offered at various roundabouts, adding a spiritual dimension to the march.
Otu and his wife danced and sang alongside thousands of Christian faithful, with gospel music echoing through the streets in a jubilant expression of faith.
Bishop Mrs. Eyoawan Otu, speaking before the flag-off, said the vision for the Easter event was inspired by a desire to dedicate a significant part of the tourism calendar to Jesus Christ.
“While Carnival Calabar is a secular celebration, this is a spiritual festival — one created to honor Christ for His sacrifice and celebrate our faith as a people,” she explained.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Event Management, Mr. Effiong Ekpenyong, described the Jesus Carnival as the brainchild of the First Lady, crediting her prayerful support for much of the administration’s success.
He coordinated the parade’s logistics and highlighted its significance as a new attraction in the state’s growing tourism offerings.
“With this spiritually uplifting addition to its tourism calendar, Cross River State has reaffirmed its identity as a place where culture and faith intersect, making Easter not just a religious observance, but a state-wide celebration of divine gratitude and praise,” he concluded.
The celebration culminated with live gospel music performances, headlined by internationally acclaimed singer, songwriter, and producer, Cobhams Asuquo, whose electrifying performance left the crowd in awe.
Prayers were led by prominent religious leaders, including the State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. (Dr.) Takis Etim Caiafas; Bishop Josef Bassey; Bishop Emma Isong; Bishop Bassey E. Edem; Apostle Frank Umoh, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Religious Affairs; and several others across various Christian denominations.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, has slashed its fuel pump price for the second time within four days.
A market survey on Saturday by DAILY POST showed that NNPCL retail outlets around Airport Junction and Wuse Zone 6 (Berger) in Abuja have reduced their petrol price to N1210 per litre, down from N1260.
This means that the state-owned oil firm slashed the petrol price by N50 per litre.
This comes barely two days after Dangote Refinery reduced its petrol gantry price by N50 to N1,125 per litre.
Recall that four days ago, NNPCL had adjusted its fuel price pump by N75 per litre to N1260.
With the latest drop by NNPCL retail outlets, petrol prices stand between N1210 per litre and N1305 per litre in Abuja and its environs.
The reduction in domestic fuel comes amid falling crude oil prices, which stand at $69 per barrel and $71 per barrel for West Texas Intermediate and Brent crude, respectively, following the easing of the conflict in the Middle East.
Recall that President Bola Tinubu has kept mum amid the clamour by Nigerians for a commensurate drop in domestic fuel pump prices due to the significant reduction in crude oil prices.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has said it is yet to receive the Certified True Copy, CTC, of the Federal High Court judgment that set aside an earlier order directing it to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, as a political party.
INEC revealed this in a statement issued on Saturday by its Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the Chairman, Adedayo Oketola.
According to the commission, although it is aware of media reports on the judgment delivered by the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja on June 26, it cannot comment on the ruling until it obtains and reviews the certified copy.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, is aware of reports circulating in the media regarding the judgment delivered on Friday, June 26, 2026, by the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, which set aside an earlier order concerning the registration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress.
“However, as of this moment, the Commission has not yet received the Certified True Copy, CTC, of the court’s order,” the statement said.
INEC stated that its legal department would study the judgment upon receipt of the CTC before advising the commission on the next course of action.
“Once the Commission’s legal department receives and thoroughly studies the CTC of the judgment, INEC will take an informed, lawful decision in line with the court’s directives.
“Until then, we cannot comment on the specifics of the ruling, and the public is urged to await the Commission’s formal position on the matter,” Oketola added.
Justice Isah Dashen of the Federal High Court in Lokoja had on Friday set aside the court’s December 10, 2025, judgment directing INEC to register the NDC as a political party.
The court held that the rights of the Peace Movement Party were affected by the earlier judgment because it was not joined in the suit despite claiming ownership of the logo relied upon in securing the registration order.
Justice Dashen consequently ordered that all parties be restored to the positions they occupied before the December 2025 judgment and directed that the substantive suit be heard afresh with all necessary parties joined.
The NDC has rejected the ruling and announced plans to appeal the decision. Its National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas, maintained that the party had not been deregistered and argued that the trial court lacked jurisdiction to revisit a matter on which it had already delivered a final judgment.
The ruling has also attracted reactions from opposition figures, including the NDC’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, the party’s National Leader, Senator Henry Dickson, and other stakeholders, who described the decision as a threat to Nigeria’s multiparty democracy and vowed to challenge it through all available legal channels.
INEC, however, maintained that it would reserve its position on the judgment until it receives and reviews the Certified True Copy.
A joint police operation rescued five victims abducted near Ogbere Forest in Ogun state on Wednesday.
They were rescued within 25 hours by the Lagos and Ogun Police Commands, which were part of a joint operation codenamed KOSAYE, meaning “No Space” in Yoruba.
The woman was among the victims who were shot in the incident. Her daughter and sister were among those rescued by the police on Thursday.
NNPC slashes petrol price twice within four days
Lokoja Court order: INEC speaks on NDC, says it’s yet to receive CTC
Just in: Police rescue five abductees in Ogun
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