Management of Calabar Carnival and the Socio-Economic Development of Cross River State, Nigeria

The research examined the management of Calabar carnival and the socio-economic development of Cross River State, Nigeria. Specifically, the research work explored the effect of Calabar Carnival strategic planning, private sector participation initiatives and quality security coordination on social and economic progress of Calabar. A descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. The population of the study consisted of officials of the Cross River State Carnival Commission, officials of Cross River State tourism bureau, office of the special adviser on Tourism/carnival and representations of the private sector, making a total of 121. A sample of121 respondents was used using the census method. Regression analysis was used to test all the research hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance using the appropriate degrees of freedom. The results revealed that all the research hypotheses were significant. That is, government strategic planning in Calabar carnival, private sector participation in Calabar carnival and Calabar carnival security management all have significant and positive effects on socio-economic development of Cross River state, Nigeria. The study concluded that when the Calabar Carnival is properly managed it would generate revenue, create employment opportunities, improve infrastructural facilities, enhance the wellbeing of the citizenry, among other socio-economic benefits. Based on the findings, it was recommended that festival organizations should plan ahead of time on how to raise the present status of Calabar carnival festival to international status. This could be achieved through appropriate policies and programmes and by continuing to put in place the necessary infrastructure and enabling environment that would sustain the festival. Also, there should be private sector participation. Besides, festival organizations should take strategic sustainable development approach to address security challenges in the study area.