..says the brand has potential to rebrand Cross River
By: Juliet Agbo
The Cross River Commissioner for Information, Dr. Erasmus Ekpang, has pledged to ensure coverage and support to push for the promotion of Bakassi International Fish Festival to become one of the flagship events in the State.
Dr. Ekpang made the pledge when he received, on a courtesy visit, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the brand, Ms Frank Edima, and her team, in his office in Calabar, Tuesday.
He described the festival as a veritable platform to change the negative narratives about Bakassi which was associated with militancy, and expressed his excitement that the event was being promoted by young people from the area working to showcase the positive image of the State to the outside world through the event.
“I am very happy that we have people like you in the society as role models who are ready to sacrifice their time, knowledge and creativity to change the narratives of Bakassi and Cross River State at large.”
“We all know what comes to people’s mind when you mention Bakassi. Your positive response to this narrative using your platform which you started two years ago to create awareness and showcase the rich cultural heritage of Bakassi to the international arena is indeed very laudable, and I must salute your tenacity in sustaining the tempo in spite of daunting challenges.
“Let me assure you that my office is ready to support your team by promoting this festival that is soon becoming a global brand, and if fully harnessed is capable of transforming the socio-economic landscape of our State.
“I promise to mobilize the media for the full coverage of this year’s edition of the event even as I encourage you to push it up to be added to our annual events calendar by the relevant Government agencies, he reiterated.
On the planned nationwide protest, Ekpang urged the young people in the state not to associate with the proposed protest, saying, “I urge everyone to shun all forms of protest in the state. We know that the current state of the economy is not going as planned and we are aware of the hardship our people are passing through including government appointees like us.
“We need to come together as a family, both the youths and elderly, to help the government succeed by remaining law abiding and patient for the lofty programmes of the Federal government which is aimed at transforming our lives to materialise.
“The Government of Senator Prince Bassey Otu is trying in its capacity to reduce the current situation by building capacity of the youths through gainful ventures to grow the micro economy. Recently, the Governor distributed over 100 boats to youths in the riverian areas as well as other palliatives to cushion the effect of hardship across board and we are confident that more intervention programmes are coming to empower our people and make lives more meaningful.”
Earlier, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Bakassi Int’l Fish Festival, Ms Frank Edima, thanked the Commissioner for his support, show of love towards the youths and his notable works in the Ministry since assumption of office.
She said the team visited him to sue possible collaboration with the view of expanding the festival’s frontiers which would become a melting point for countries around the Gulf of Guinea. She further added that two countries indicated interest to support the annual event which was expanded last year with added offering of peagantry for Mr and Miss Bakassi.
“This festival started in 2022 with th purpose of changing the narratives of the Bakassi people and also promote the abundance of fish farming potential in the local government for job creation as well as use the platform for homecoming of indigenous Bakassi and Cross Riverians both within and in the diaspora.”
Continuing she said, ” in promoting the mantra, “Think Cross River” we intend to involve more countries around the Gulf of Guinea to share and promote our natural heritage.
“What we need now is full support of the State Government in promoting and showcasing our heritage which, if fully harnessed, can change the economic fortune of Cross River State and paint the country in good light,” she added.
Also speaking, Austin Matthew, the current Mr Bakassi, who announced the absence of his Queen, appealed to the Commissioner to support their back to school pet projects with aim to promote education by offering scholarships and instructional materials to indigent pupils in the area as their little way of empowering the young ones as they as prepared to face the reality of life.
