By: Vitalis Ugoh, Calabar
The Bakassi Fish Festival has been endorsed by the Cross River State government as part its tourism calendar
The Commissioner for Tourism,Arts And Culture, Chief Robert Abubakar Ewa, stated this when he received the festival’s Board of Trustees BOT during a courtesy call, adding that the endorsement will boost the growing tourism industry in the state.
He lauded the BOT for its vision and initiative in articulating the cultural heritage of the Bakassi people as well as expanding the tourism potential of the state.
He disclosed that Bakassi is known internationally as a fishing hub and the Festival can be viewed globally since the Cross River shares boundaries with the Republic of Cameron and Equatorial Guinea with many other ethnic groups living within the state.
Ewa appealed to the BOT to create a conducive environment in its community for tourism to thrive, stressing that tourism is about friendship and can not grow in a hostile environment
Speaking earlier, the chairman BOT Bakassi Fish Festival and one time chairman of Bakassi Local Government Council, Hon Chief Ani Esin , disclosed that the purpose of the visit was to partner the Cross River State government and share its tourism views using its natural resources.
The Director General of the Bakassi Fish Festival organizing team, Frank Edima, explained their mission is focused on projecting and promoting stories that will glorify Bakassi with such events like boat racing and a beauty pageant..
Edima further disclosed that the festival has the potential to open international opportunities for the state as well as deepen the existing peace and unity in Cross River.
The courtesy call saw the presentation of the maiden edition of the festival magazine by the Director General of the festival organizing team, Frank Edima to the commissioner .
