Calabar
| Calabar | |
  Calabar | |
| Coordinates: | |
| Country |  Nigeria |
|---|---|
| State | Cross River State |
| Area | |
| - Total | 233.2 sq mi (604 km2) |
| Population (2005) | |
| - Total | 1,200,000 |
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) |
| - Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+1) |
| Website: http://www.crossriverstate.gov.ng/ | |
Calabar is a city in southeastern Nigeria. The City is watered by the Calabar and Great Qua Rivers and creeks of the Cross River (from its inland delta). Calabar is the capital of Cross River State and has an estimated population of 1.2 million residents.
Calabar is in Cross River State, which is in south-south geopolitical region of Nigeria.
History
Calabar has been known to European sailors as far back as the 15th century and was recognised as an international sea port since the 16th century.
The city once served as the seat of Government of the Niger Coast Protectorate, Southern Protectorate and Oil River Protectorate (effectively the headquarters of modern day Nigeria).
Prominent figures in the history of Calabar include King Archibong III - the first king in southern Nigeria to be crowned with regalia sent by in 1878. Others include Eyo Ita, the first Nigerian Professor; Louis Edet, first Nigerian Inspector General of Police; Margaret Ekpo, first woman special member in Nigeria's Eastern House of Chiefs and later Eastern House of Assembly; Hogan "Kid" Bassey, first Nigeria's World Boxing Champion; and Etubom Oyo Orok Oyo, premier football administrator, first Nigerian to be elected into Executive Committee of FIFA (1980 – 1988) and the first African to be made an Honorary Vice President of Confederation of African Football (CAF) (from 1988 for life).
Layout and attractions
As a social centre the city boasts of the first social club in Nigeria – The Africa Club – and also hosted the first competitive football, cricket and field hockey games in Nigeria. Among the city's firsts include the first Roman Catholic Mass (held at 19 Bocco Street, Calabar - 1903) and the oldest secondary school (Hope Waddell Training Institution - 1895) in eastern Nigeria. The School later produced the first President of Nigeria, Nnamdi Azikiwe.
The city boasts of an International Museum, a Botanical Garden, a Free Trade Zone/Port, an International Airport and Seaport, an integrated sports stadium complex, a cultural centre, one of the most prominent universities in the country[citation needed] the University of Calabar, a slave history park and several historical and cultural landmarks. It also boasts of several standard hotels, resorts and amusement parks. The former Liberian warlord Charles Taylor lived in the old colonial palace in the city under an agreement which led to the end of his country's civil war before fleeing extradition to Liberia in March 2006.It also plays host to TINAPA, one of the most recognised tourist centers.
The Cross River State Annual Christmas Festival held every year attracts thousands within and beyond Nigeria. The Festival which include music performance from both local and international artists, the annual Calabar carnival, Boat regatta, Fashion shows, Christmas Village, traditional dances and the annual Ekpe Festival is a yearly events that bring in thousands of tourists at the time of the year. The official website of the Cross River Festival http://www.crossriverfestival.com has more information on the upcoming 2007 Christmas Festival in Cross river State.
Political authority
The Efik political authority as it concerns the Obong is hinged on a political tripod - Creek Town made up of Ambo, Cobham and Eyo; Old Town made up of Obutong; and, Duke Town or Atakpa made up of Duke/Archibong, Eyamba, Ntiero, Henshaw and Cobham. Each leg of this tripod at one time or the other was ruled by a separate Obong. Within the last 100 years, a gentleman’s agreement to merge these three zones into one, with a single titular head as the Obong, and the distribution or opening up of the title to all Efik wards, was arrived at. It is the attempt to do away or dishonor this ‘contract of understanding’ that is at the root of the Obong of Calabar crises. Each of the aspirants to the throne is eminently qualified, none no more so, than the other. The title of the Obong of Calabar had been held by Nsa Effiom and Ekpo Nsa in the 17th century, these two gentlemen were from the Henshaw ward. Attempts by the Henshaw to have an Obong resulted in a war in 1870. The Henshaws did not attain this title again until the last 50 years when David Henshaw became Obong. Cobham Town where Bassey Ekpo Bassey hails from had their first and only Obong recently. All these were made possible because of ‘the contract’.
Nigerian Navy
Calabar is also the Headquarters of the Eastern Naval Command. The City has a new model school, Nigerian Navy Secondary School, situated in a serene part of Akpabuyo, about 10 minutes drive from the Airport. This new school complements favourably the existing Nigerian Navy Primary School and Naval Officers Wives Association Primary School both situated at Ikot Ansa Calabar to provide quality education.
See also
- Calabar Kingdom
- States in Ancient Calabar Kingdom
- Annang
- Efik
- Eket
- Ikom
- Ibibio
- Ekpe
- Nsibidi
- Manillas
- Ogoja
- African Jews
- History of Nigeria
- Calabar bean
- Antera Duke
Coordinates:
Source: adapted by the editor from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; from the article "Calabar". Image Credit.
