A veteran of Carnival Calabar, Tikenob Osaji, has urged the Cross River government to leverage the city’s biggest cultural festival to brighten the lives of homeless children on the streets.

Mr Osaji spoke with journalists  on the sidelines of the ongoing 20th Carnival Calabar on Sunday.

He also urged government to create a special band for vulnerable children, as well as provide shelters to take them off the streets.

Mr Osaji, who was part of the parade under the Etung Local Government Area group, said that he had followed the carnival since it began in 2005, and has watched it evolve into a global event.

He described the carnival as a festival that keeps getting better, and commended the planning of the 2025 edition, for the steady improvements over the years.

“The improvement that happens with every new edition is what makes it interesting, makes it memorable, and makes everyone want to return each year,” he said.

Speaking on the 2025 theme, “‘Traces of Time”, Mr Osaji said that it reflected traces of 20 years of impactful festivities, adding that the carnival now enjoyed broader participation from local governments across the state.

He, however, said that the celebrations should not distract stakeholders from the reality of street children in Calabar.

“There are street kids that you can’t hide, you can’t pretend you don’t have them in Calabar,” he said.

He acknowledged the efforts of individuals, non-governmental organisations as well as the wife of the state governor, Eyoanwan Otu, in supporting the children.

He urged stakeholders to go beyond charity and provide permanent shelters, adding even though homelessness existed globally, children deserved protection.

“They have food, they have clothing but have not been given shelter; we have not seen them leave the streets.

“I know and I agree that we can always find homeless people but not children; Not children,” he said.

Mr Osaji recommended that to bridge the gap, children should be integrated into the carnival, through a band designed for them.

He also underscored the need for a yearly scholarship programme, where the same investors could come in to sponsor between 10 to 20 children, and afford them homes.

According to him, many of these homeless children possess hidden abilities which are untapped, therefore, integrating them in activities of the carnival could reconnect them with society.

He, consequently, urged the state government, tourism bureau and carnival organisers, to create a structured programme that would link street children with investors, visitors and foundations who will be willing to help.

“If the government introduced them into the band as part of the festivities, they can have people adopt the children or just key into whatever initiatives,” he said. 

Mr Osaji added that this will rekindle hope in the children.

 (NAN)