Brazillian Samba Band Arrives Nigeria for Calabar Carnival

Posted by admin Africa & World Politics, Cross River, Headlines, State News Friday, December 28th, 2012

A 26-man Brazilian Carnival Band has arrived Calabar to participate
in Carnival Calabar.

Known as the Vai Vai Samba Band, the Brazilians thrilled a crowd
that gathered at the Margaret Ekpo International Airport to welcome
them.

Speaking through an interpreter, the leader of the band, Thobias Da
Vai-vai described the reception as marvelous, noting that Calabar is
peaceful.

He said they were happy to be a part of the Carnival Calabar.

He explained that Carnival is a practical way of thanking God
through joy and party and that they have used that medium as an
independent nation to express themselves internationally.

He said they are in Calabar to display Brazilian Samba which is
reputed to be a world class dancing style as well as costumes which
have been explored to promote their nation’s tourism.

DGM of Calabar International Cement Limited COCIC, Adekanye
Kemisola, the facilitator of the Brazilian connection, said they were
proud to be involved in the tourism programme of the state which
would strengthen relationship between Brazil and Nigeria.

According to Kemisola the visit would establish as well as rekindle
the long lost relationship between Old Calabar and Portugal that
existed between them during the era of slave trade.

She disclosed the decision to facilitate the Brazilian participation was
borne out of the fact that Carnival Calabar was expanded in scope.

Chairman Carnival Commission, Mr. Gabe Onah stated that Carnival
Calabar has attained international recognition with the participation
of the Brazilian Carnival Band which is globally acclaimed as number
one in samba.

Onah thanked the Nigerian Tourism Development Commission
(NTDC) and OCIC for their effort in bringing the Brazilian Troupe to
the State which is the first time a South American team is visiting
Africa.

Special Adviser, Investment Promotion, Mr. Gerald Adah, disclosed
that the visit and participation of the Brazilian troupe in Carnival
Calabar was made possible by the investor friendly climate in the
state as created by the Senator Liyel Imoke led administration.

Adah remarked that such a conducive environment will help promote
and stimulate other sectors to attract investors to the state.

He said the visiting Brazilian Samba band has won international
competitions 14 times and its presence in the state will boost the
content of Carnival Calabar.

The Vai-Vai Samba Band of Brazil is expected to spend six days in the state.wp_posts