Cross River State government has included the Ekuum Cultural Band of Ofutop nation to thrill revellers at the 2026 Carnival Calabar Festival, following its official registration for Nigeria’s biggest street party. The Chief Executive Officer of the band, Engr. Oyama Osam Ntun, disclosed this on Thursday in Calabar. Ntun stated that participating in the carnival would avail the band the opportunity to exhibit its numerous talents and allow members to tell the different stories passed on to them by their grandparents from one generation to another.
While giving insight into the band, the CEO stated 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 thrills revellers while flying the flag of Ofutop Nation at Carnival Calabar 2026.
