As a further boost to its soaring global appeal, cross river state governor, Senator Ben Ayade has called on the federal government to take ownership of the 13-year old Africa’s biggest street party, the carnival Calabar and make it the world’s number one tourism event.

Ayade made the call in Calabar when he received the minister of information, culture and tourism, Alhaji Lai Mohammad, represented by his permanent secretary, Grace Gekpe on a courtesy visit to his office in Calabar.

According to the governor, the only way carnival Calabar can become a strong African event is when the federal government begins to show interest by making budgetary provisions for the festival yearly.

In their remarks, permanent secretary federal ministry of information and culture, Grace Gekpe and the director general of national council for art and culture, oluaegunrunsewe, promised to take up the responsibility of marketing the state to the international community as a brand coming from Nigeria.

AIT’s Rasheed Olanrewaju reports that monorail cruise has been identified as part of some of the beautiful sites in Calabar with the latest facility ready for the festivities.