Bauchi State has won the Best Cultural Troupe of the ongoing Calabar Festival, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

The state contingent also won a star price of N5 million by defeating Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Oyo, Kogi, and Kaduna states contingents.

Bakassi Local Government Area of Cross River won in the local government category of the competition,

The council area also went home with N3 million as the best overall troupe, as they were adjudged the best in the application of the festival theme, entitled, “Climate Change”.

Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River, who launched the cultural parade at the Millennium Park, Calabar, said his administration would sustain and add value to culture and heritage of the state in 2016.

“Today, Cross River is going to lead the entire Africa like we did in the climate change because we believe in the culture and heritage of the African people,” Mr. Ayade said.

Mr. Ayade assured participating troupes that they would witness a renewed cultural parade with a theme: Style and culture’’, as well as a street dance with African dimension at the 2016 edition.

“Since culture is dynamic, it must grow and we must modernise our culture to reflect the growth of Africa,” the governor said.

Mr. Ayade said special provisions had been made for other participating states such that they would receive N3 million each for taking part in the event.

(NAN)