BY: Our Reporter, Calabar
The Chairman of Nigeria Union Of Journalists NUJ , Cross River State Council, Comrade Nsa Gill has described Bakassi Fish Festival as a big idea with the potential of rewriting the story of the state if properly harnessed.
Speaking in an interactive session with the organizers of the festival led by its Director General, Frank Edima,in his office, Gill said “its vision is laudable and that they should not be discouraged by the teething problems encountered during its maiden edition as its objective is to give Bakassi a good name”.
“There is no idea bigger than Bakassi Fish Festival and I enjoin you to hold onto it in your efforts to showcase the different fishes and occupations in the area”.
He said that they should work harder by reaching out to parliamentarians in state and national assemblies, state government, agencies , corporate bodies and prominent sons and daughters of the state.
According to him, “this is a big tourism festival which should be included in the state’s tourism calendar through a well packaged sensitization effort , as such there is need to collaborate with the state Tourism Bureau, Advertising Agencies and the state government”.
He observed that the festival can bring to limelight the marine endorsement of the Bakassi thereby stimulating commerce and trade to reposition Cross River as a viable state for investment.
The chairman called for an inclusion of youths and women in the area as active participants in the festival for them to see it as their project.
Gill reasoned that for the festival to attain the status of the Argungu Festival Festival,it needs an effective media collaboration while advising they seek media support.
,”I suggest you draw a media roster of pre and post events concerning the festival to create awareness and participation, he added.
Earlier, the Director General of the Bakassi Fish Festival organizing team, Frank Edima, disclosed that the interactive session was to inform him of the second edition of the Bakassi Fish Festival which comes up on September 26 and 27 as well as solicit media support.
According to Edima, the festival is principally aimed at changing the narrative about Bakassi as a safe haven for militants and kidnappers but highlighting its great aquatic endowment, adding that as s fishing hub, 15 tribes across the coastal states of the country are expected to participate.
A member of the organizing team, Mr Eyo Eyo , described the festival as a magical wand capable of sustaining peace and cohabitation amongst the people of Bakassi and their kith in Cameron.
Eyo further disclosed that this year’s edition has been widened in scope to attain international participation.
Highlight of the session was the presentation of the festival’s program by the Director General of the organizing team, Frank Edima to the state chairman of NUJ, Comrade Nsa Gill.
