Calabar Carnival: Child rights violators will be arrested, prosecuted – State Govt

Participants and promoters who may violate any parts of the Child Rights Act during the upcoming children’s carnival in December 2023 will be arrested and prosecuted.

Commissioner for information in the state, Erasmus Ekpang and executive Secretary of the state carnival commission, Austin Cobham addressed journalists in Calabar on the details of the 32-day annual carnival celebration.

Cobham warned against the promotion of any obscene, pornographic or suggestive materials during the children’s carnival, which will be a segment of the annual event.

He said the commission will promote all aspects of UNICEF and other child rights instruments to ensure that the children are protected.

Cobham who is also Secretary of the carnival committee disclosed that due to the fluctuation of Dollars against the Naira, there will not be many renowned international artists but local artists will be given better opportunities to shine.

Ekpang, the Commissioner for Information, said they are following all legal processes to ensure that the carnival is successful.

“We are currently rebranding all popular Parks in all the three senatorial districts. We are also giving facelifts and decorating the town as we are expecting a few countries like South Africa, for instance, and teeming visitors to the carnival.

“We have arrays of local contents to beef up the 32-day celebration in different segments.”

Commissioner of Police in the state, Gyogon Augustine Grimah, represented by the Deputy PPRO, Igri Ewa and security adviser to the governor in the southern district, Patrick Odiong said they have outlined strategies to contain any criminalities like kidnappings.