By Michael Eboh
The management of Oceanic Bank International Plc has said its sponsorship and unwavering support for the prestigious annual Calabar Festival is to contribute to tourism and economic growth in Nigeria.

According to a statement by the bank, its decision to sponsor the event is part of its corporate social responsibility efforts from the inception of the festival.

The festival consists of a series of concerts, cultural activities, a two-day carnival as well as a beauty pageant of which Oceanic Bank is the sole sponsor.

Oceanic Bank’s management said the festival’s ideals resonate with its commitment to providing channels for youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, value creation and socio-economic development.

“The Calabar Festival has put Cross River State and the nation on world”s tourism stage as the place to be in December and Oceanic Bank is proud to be part of an event that contributes to the growth of the economy and showcases our rich cultural heritage.”

“The Calabar Carnival Queen (CCQ) beauty pageant which is sponsored by Oceanic is a charity event that supports the cause of ‘Mothers Against Child Abandonment’ (MACA) with the objective of preserving the lives of vulnerable mothers and children. The event comes up in Tinapa, Calabar on December 23, 2010.

“The winner of the pageant is the face of MACA and the tourism ambassador of Cross River State. Proceeds from the event are used for the upkeep of The Refuge Homes where abandoned babies and young teenage pregnant girls are tended. The CCQ amongst other things pays advocacy visits to schools, talking to young girls about abstinence, ills of abortion, teenage pregnancy, STDs & other societal ills.

“Considered to be the biggest tourist attraction event in West Africa and described as ‘Africa’s biggest street party’, the Calabar festival offers thirty-two days of exciting events, colorful activities and plays host to a million people from all over the world.”