Cross River Set to Celebrate Four Former Governors in Kickoff of 2025 Carnival Calabar

Table of Contents

1. Honoring Former Governors
2. Recognition and Awards
3. Legacy of the Honorees

Cross River State will honor four former civilian governors during the annual Christmas tree-lighting ceremony on November 30, 2025. This event marks the official commencement of the month-long Carnival Calabar.

This gesture, the first of its kind, has been approved by Governor Bassey Otu.

The former governors to be recognized include Dr. Clement Ebri, Mr. Donald Duke, Senator Liyel Imoke, and Professor Ben Ayade. They are set to receive the state's highest Merit Honour for Leadership during the ceremony.

The event will also kick off the 20th-anniversary celebrations of Carnival Calabar.

The ex-governors will have their names and statues permanently displayed on the Walls of Heroes at Millennium Park. Additionally, they will be awarded 24-carat gold Star Medals and other symbols of leadership excellence.

Each honoree is acknowledged for their significant contributions to the state's development—from Ebri's stabilizing leadership during the Third Republic, Duke's transformation of tourism, Imoke's infrastructure and social reforms, to Ayade's push for industrialization.

Their collective legacies represent important chapters in the political and developmental history of Cross River.