The Bakassi International Fish Festival team on Friday marked World Fisheries Day with a heartfelt community outreach that brought joy, recognition, and global attention to the fisherfolk of Bakassi. The event, themed “Letters to Fisherfolk,” was a symbolic and emotional gesture designed to celebrate the men and women whose daily labor sustains the region’s culture, economy, and heritage.
The day’s activities began at the Esuk Mkparawa Beach, where volunteers and festival organizers interacted with fishermen and women, listening to their stories and sharing messages of hope sent from different parts of the world.
The team also moved through the local market, creating an atmosphere that participants described as “a whole vibe”, full of energy, laughter, and community spirit.
One of the day’s most symbolic moments took place at the shoreline, where letters were released onto the water, representing prayers, gratitude, and support sent to the fisherfolk. The gesture was intentional as Bakassi’s waters flow directly into the Atlantic, making the release a symbolic sending of love, recognition, and global solidarity to every corner of the world.
About 80 fisherfolk were reached, letters read, and interactions had with the teams’ 22 volunteers who participated in the activity, ensuring that every message reached the intended fishermen and women with dignity and courtesy.
The letters poured in from far and wide, including messages from the Chairman of Bakassi LGA, Otuekong Hon. Effiong Okon, friends in the diaspora, political leaders, religious leaders, business leaders, cultural stakeholders, and supporters from across Nigeria and beyond. Each message carried words of encouragement, gratitude, and appreciation for the resilience of the fishing community.
After leaving the beach, the team paid a courtesy visit to the Village Head of Ikang Town, His Highness Chief Antigha Cobham, who warmly welcomed the group. The royal father expressed his deep appreciation for the initiative and offered his own message of encouragement to the fisherfolk, acknowledging their essential role in sustaining the community and its heritage.
As the letters were delivered one by one, the fishermen and women received them with visible emotion and gratitude. Many expressed how touched they were to be recognized, stating that the gesture meant far more than words could capture. For a community that often labors quietly and unseen, the global acknowledgment was both uplifting and deeply affirming.
Beyond the celebration of World Fisheries Day, “Letters to Fisherfolk” initiative served as an energizing prelude to the upcoming 4th Edition of the Bakassi International Fish Festival, scheduled for December 9 and 10.
With powerful symbolism, heartfelt engagement, and global participation, the activity reinforced the Festival team’s commitment to preserving culture, empowering the fishing community, and reminding the world of the critical role fisherfolk play in food security and heritage preservation.
This year’s celebration will be remembered as a day Bakassi fishermen and women felt truly seen, honored, and celebrated.
