CALABAR FESTIVAL 2022: CROSS RIVER ARTISTES HAIL AYADE... AS AUDITION CLOSES WEDNESDAY

Entertainers in Cross River State have poured encomium on the governor of the state, Sir Ben Ayade (CON) for the platform given to talents to showcase and excel in their craft.

This is rising from the invitation of artistes in Cross River for a chance to feature on one of Africa's biggest stages, the Calabar Festival 2022, through the auditions which commenced on Monday, November 28, 2022 at the Angle's Bar, Calabar.

The auditions, which is a reintroduction, was received by many as a welcomed initiative, this is as confirmed by the record of over 50 artistes on the first day. It also offered the events department an oppurtunity to discover several new talents and regrade the 'old cats'.

The Senior Special Adviser Governor's Office and Events Management, Hon. Kenn Aklah had reiterated that for the 2022 festival, artistes' performances must be based on merit. Consequently,the Events Management Department, following their meeting and critical session with industry players and stakeholders constituted a panel of judges which comprised of popular comedian and On-Air-Personality, Last Prophet as Chief Judge, others are veteran musician, Fada Kane, Terem Igbodor, Rose Gaptut and Pat 4 Peace.

The Senior Special Assistant to Governor on Entertainment, Big Daddy Africa supervises the judges, while the Chairman of Cross River Artistes Forum, Irek Dee and the Chairman of Cross River Entertainers Union, Mr Jo Esse are key players of the team.

The audition shall come to an end on Wednesday, according to a release signed by the coordinator, Mr. Noel Ugbong and co-signed by his assistant,the special assistant to governor on entertainment, Mr Effiom Trombone, the duo commended Governor Ayade for bringing back the Calabar Festival Auditions, as a way of giving a chance to raw talents spread across the state.

Some of the rookies discovered took turns to praise the Ayade-led administration for giving upcoming artistes a platform to shine, according to them, this is evidenced not only in the festival auditions, but also through continuous patronage of homegrown stars and cash gifts by the governor to numerous entertainers.