Gabe Onah, the Carnival Calabar Commission chairman, said on Saturday that over 40,000 direct employments had been generated since the inception of the carnival in 2004.

Mr Onah disclosed this while speaking with journalists in Calabar, saying the employment significantly contributed to the creative industry.

He said the commission inherited 5,000 direct employments within the creative industry but could now boast over 40,000 through the carnival.

According to him, the employment opportunities encompass various roles within the carnival, such as make-up artists, artisans, and others involved in organising and running the event.

He also said the employment growth also positively impacted the hospitality industry in Calabar.

“We have been keen on big data since 2007. We inherited 2,300 bedrooms across Calabar, but today, we have over 35,000.

“We inherited 5,000 direct employments, and today, we have over 40,000 direct employments because the hotels are growing and the youth are meaningfully engaged.

“But we are conscious of the fact that the government does not have to be in this business. And so, we are gradually pulling out.

“That is why we said that by 2025, the sector will fund itself,” he said.

The chairman, who spoke on the uniqueness of the carnival, said, “What stands us out is our competitive genre; our carnival is interpreted using elements of theatre, from plot, costumes, music, dance, to running.”

Speaking on why the international carnival was not held, Mr Onah said the commission was discouraged due to the unstable status of the dollar.

“You can see that the dollar has become football; you cannot plan with an unpredictable dollar, and we decided to introduce the structure of co-sponsorship,” he said.

Mr Onah appreciated Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River, recognising his commitment to improving lives and empowering young people.

(NAN)