Cross River State Govt Welcomes Ekuum Band Into 2026 Carnival Calabar Festival

The Cross River State Government has welcomed the Ekuum Cultural Band of Ofutop Nation, Ikom local government area of Cross River, into the 2026 Carnival Calabar Festival, following the band’s official registration for Nigeria’s biggest street party.

The Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of the band, Engr. Oyama Osam Ntun disclosed this to LEADERSHIP yesterday during a telephone conversation.

Ntun stated that providing him and other band members the opportunity to participate in the 2026 Carnival Calabar would give the band the privilege of exhibiting the numerous talents which he and band members are blessed with, adding that their entry into the festival would allow members to tell the different stories passed on to them by their grandparents from one generation to another.

Giving insight into the band, Ntun stressed that the registration was completed upon fulfilling all required criteria for approval from the relevant authorities.

The newly crowned recipient of the prestigious Calabar Heritage “Young Achiever of the Year” Award averred that he was driven by the quest and commitment to elevate local heritage onto the international stage.

The renowned ensemble will participate as a non-competing guest band, showcasing the rich cultural tapestry, rhythmic music and vibrant traditions of the Ofutop people to a global audience. Speaking on the milestone, the award-winning professional said the move was aimed at projecting Ofutop culture beyond its home base.

“True career excellence goes hand in hand with cultural preservation,” he said, adding that taking the band to the fiesta would give local art forms international visibility and acclaim.

 He averred that the initiative seeks to bridge corporate professionalism with deep-rooted traditional heritage, ensuring that the Ekuum Cultural Band is welcomed into the 2026 Carnival Calabar Festival.