Governor's Band Models who played in the Carnival Calabar 2017 have not been paid.


      But upon arrival, we discovered that  no arrangements were even made for us: no lodging, no feeding. Nothing.

             
                  By Chaline Anarado.


So Cross River State is gearing up for another Carnival Calabar this year, while they haven't paid the models who played in the previous one in 2017.

True to the theme of the last carnival, which was 'Migration,' it was migration for a lot of participants. But a rather unfortunate one for invited models. That's how they called models from other states to travel to Calabar and perform for the carnival. We left everyone back at home, family and friends, during the most important season of the year (Christmas) and took the risk to make the very long and tiring travel to Calabar for this event. We even had to make travel expenses by ourselves, since they promised to refund. But upon arrival, we discovered that no arrangements were even made for us: no lodging, no feeding. Nothing.

Let me not bore you with details of the whole stress and drill we went through in preparation for the big day.


Now, after walking and dancing on high heeled shoes  and under the sun for endless hours with very heavy costumes, we were all sent on our way with nothing. Yes, you heard me right. Not a penny.

We left our account details as was requested, hoping that our pay will come in soon. But up until this day, the Cross River State Government hasn't come through; just empty promises: from December to January to February to March. We didn't even hear from them in April and May. Now we're in July, and it's even about ending.

Rumor has it that the money was released, but 'someone' embezzled it. Another rumor has it that a few of the girls have been paid. But these are all just rumors:

 Governor's Band Models who played in the Carnival Calabar 2017 have not been paid.

If we decide to keep quiet about this, it might happen again to naive girls this year and next year and the year after that. And that's why we are speaking out now. I hope Cross River State Government get this message, and redeem the image of a carnival that has built so much name and prestige as the "largest street carnival in Africa."




 Chaline Anarado is a model, an aesthete, an athlete, an actress, and a language freak. She curates the Models and Runways segment on Asiri Media.

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