The search for who will be crowned the 2013/2014 Miss Carnival Calabar has begun. Scheduled to hold on December 23, 2013, the winner automatically becomes the ambassador for tourism in Cross River State as well as the face of Mothers Against Child Abandonment (MACA), which is an initiative of Her Excellency, the wife of the Governor of Cross River State, Mrs. Obioma Liyel Imoke. The Carnival Calabar Queen Pageant (CCQ), an annual pageant that holds in Calabar every December, with the lucky winner walking away with a N4million brand new car , N2million cash prize, one year fabrics supply, all expense paid trip to Trinidad and Tobago, special guest at Miss Universe Jamaica 2014, one year accommodation in the Government Lodge and opportunities to travel around the world to impact lives of young people, is one of the most coveted. The 2012 edition saw the emergence of Sophia Dijeh, who in the past one year, has travelled to various countries, transforming the lives of young girls and continues to promote the huge tourism potentials of Cross River State. This year’s event promises to be more enthralling as activities have been lined up to ensure participants go home with an intriguing experience. Forms are available at the rate of five thousand naira only (#5,000) at Yellow Chili, Victoria island, Lagos; Springs Day Spa, Abuja; Paragon Entertainment, Owerri; CRS Carnival Commission, Calabar; Kesi Cyber Café, Enugu or you can simply visit www.carnivalcalabrqueen.com and download the application form.
The contest is open to all Nigerian ladies between the ages of 18-27. To qualify, participants must have spent one year in the university and have a minimum intelligence quotient of 70%. Ticket sales and funds from fundraising from the pageant are donated to Mothers Against Child Abandonment (MACA). The organization, among other things, caters for abandoned babies and also implements abstinence – based programs in a bid to reduce the rate of teenage pregnancy in the state. The Carnival Calabar Beauty Pageant is also part of the activities marking the annual Calabar Festival which is an initiative of the Cross River State Government. The festival aims at developing the tourism potential of the state and attracts tourists from all over the world.