Due to instability and the breakout of the Omicron COVID-19 strain, Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River state has decided to postpone the annual Calabar carnival.
Mr Linus Obogo, Gov. Ayade’s Deputy Chief Press Secretary, said this in a Calabar interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday.
According to Obogo, a meeting with the governor, members of the State Executive Council, and carnival stakeholders resulted in a unanimous decision to halt the annual event.
“The gathering was to unveil the theme of this year’s carnival but based on the emergence of the new variant called omicron and the advice by health experts that it kills faster than another variant, it was unanimously agreed that the carnival is suspended after the governor put it up for consideration.
“The carnival band leaders and other stakeholders agreed that for public health and safety, the carnival is suspended.
“Also, there is an emerging security report which indicates that the event may be taken over by some hoodlums.
“To avoid all of these from happening, it was advised that the carnival be suspended so that people are not caught unawares,” Obogo said.