BY UBON EKANEM, CALABAR – The Cross River State Government (CRSG) has declared a 20-day leave period for its workers to enable them participate fully in the forthcoming Christmas and new year festivities across the State.
A circular with Reference Number: GO/HOS/4/Vol.II1/277, and signed by the Head of Service of the State, Orok Okon, directed that all civil and public servants in the state are expected to proceed on the government-approved leave.
According to the circular, all the civil servants, with the exception of those on essential duties, will proceed on vacation lasting from December 15, 2025 to January 5, 2026.
The circular read thus: “The approval is to enable Civil/Public Servants fully participate in the Christmas festivities within the State.
“However, officers on essential duties are hereby exempted from this leave and are expected to remain at their duly posts to ensure continuous delivery of critical public services.
“Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Departments are requested to bring the contents of this circular to the attention of all staff and ensure strict compliance.”
With the wide-acknowledged the biggest street party in Africa, Carnival Calabar, being the major attraction in the activities lined up to celebrate the 2025 Christmas season in the state, the final dry run was flagged off on Sunday, December 7, 2025, in Calabar, the State capital.
Nigeria, marking the imminent start of the main festival events. The primary carnival parade days are scheduled for December 29 and 30, 2025.
This year’s edition of the Carnival, with the theme: “Traces of Time,” is particularly significant as it marks its 20th anniversary. The main event will feature a series of activities throughout December, including a Bikers’ Carnival on December 29 and the main street party on December 30.
Participants from about 25 countries are being expected at the event that will feature seven main competing bands: Passion 4, Master Blaster, and Seagull. Others are Bayside, Freedom Band, Calas Vegas Band, and Diamond Band.
Another major attraction will be the newly established Diaspora Band making its debut in the 2025 Carnival.
Only recently, Chairman of the Cross River Carnival Commission, Mr. Gabe Onah, had recalled that the October homecoming of 92 brothers and sisters from the African diaspora, who visited the state on a reconciliation and heritage tour, further inspired the creation of the Diaspora Band.
According to him, the band was unveiled to provide a platform for Africans in the diaspora to tell their own story through culture, rhythm, and artistic expression.
Onah explained that the Diaspora Band will join the procession with a sub-theme that reflects shared history, collective memory, and the desire for cultural reconnection.
“This is the epic journey through time,” he said, adding: “The Diaspora Band speaks to a shared history, to the pain we seek to reconcile, and to the future we are building together. I call on all diasporans around the world, including myself, to join the Diaspora Band and help lead Carnival Calabar into its next phase.”
Birthed by the administration of Governor Donald Duke in 2005, the annual street party is currently in its 20th edition
