…commences of 30-day countdown
By Frank Ulom
BAKASSI (CONVERSEER) – The organisers of the Bakassi International Fish Festival have announced the official commencement of the 30-day countdown to the 2025 edition of the annual cultural and tourism event, themed “Celebrating Our Heritage, Sustaining Our Story.”
In a statement signed by the festival’s Founder and Convener, Frank Edima, on Saturday, the organisers reaffirmed their commitment to preserving the identity, culture, and fishing heritage of the Bakassi people while promoting tourism and community empowerment.
Edima recalled that the idea for the festival was conceived four years ago as a community initiative aimed at telling the Bakassi story through fishing, culture, and unity. She said the project, which started modestly, has grown into a platform that showcases the resilience, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit of the people.
“From the creeks to the coastlines, we began a project that reminded our people that Bakassi is more than a place — it is a heritage,” Edima said. “Through the years, we have built this festival with love, sacrifice, and the strength of a team that never gave up, even when support was not in sight.”
She explained that the festival’s main objective remains to empower local fishing communities, attract investors, and create sustainable opportunities for young people across the Bakassi area and beyond.
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While acknowledging ongoing discussions surrounding the festival at different levels, the organisers reiterated that the Bakassi International Fish Festival remains a community-founded and transparent project rooted in teamwork and people-centred values.
“We respect every effort that seeks to promote Bakassi,” the statement read. “However, this festival remains a community-driven initiative built on transparency, teamwork, and the resilience of the people who started it.”
Edima disclosed that internal preparations are in full gear to ensure the upcoming edition is “meaningful, impactful, and people-driven,” adding that the official programme lineup and theme will be unveiled in the coming weeks.
“Until the lion begins to speak, the story will always glorify the hunter,” she quoted an African proverb, reflecting the festival’s mission to give the Bakassi people a voice through cultural expression.
The organisers also unveiled the official flier for the 2025 edition, designed and powered by the Bakassi International Fish Festival team, symbolising continuity and renewed energy ahead of the event.
“The journey continues. The vision lives on. Together, we move. Together, we build. Together, we celebrate Bakassi,” the statement concluded.
Since its inception, the Bakassi International Fish Festival has become one of Cross River State’s most distinctive community-driven cultural events, celebrating fishing, tourism, and the enduring spirit of the Bakassi people.
