OCAFFEST Has The Potentials Of Opening Obubra Up For Investment And Development - Eriacy Confidence

OCAFFEST Has The Potentials Of Opening Obubra Up For Investment And Development - Eriacy Confidence

Coneri Magazine

Calabar. 

The Ministry of Culture  and Tourism Development Cross River led by the Honourable commissioner, Hon Eric Anderson on Tuesday 23 April, 2021 visited Nkum Okpambe, host community of Okpambe Fishing And Cultural festival in Obubra Local  Government area. The Commissioner who was accompanied by the director of tourism,Mr Akeke Akeke,  SA on Tourism to the Governor and other dignitaries visited the chairman of Obubra Local Government council, Dr Bassey Agara Tom at the council headquarters before embarking on the journey to Yala-Obubra, being led by the council boss represented by his supervisor for Agriculture, Elder Babla Ayami. While in Nkum Okpambe, the commissioner after a warmth reception by the chiefs and people of Yala-Obubra proceeded to visit the Okum and Eminyi lakes that play host to the celebration as well as other tourist sites in the community including the stone monoliths, the beaches, the Wonder stone and others.  

In an address, the coordinator of Okpambe Fishing And Cultural Festival (OCAFFEST) and CEO of Coneri Magazine(being the consulting company of the festival), Eriacy Confidence Oba, while thanking the commissioner and his Entourage for defying the odds posed by the deplorable State of the road to honour invitation to witness the 2021 edition, which he said is a prototype for the 2022 edition, appealed to the ministry to make the celebration a State affair. 

According to the filmmaker and writer" The festival is as old as the community itself, and dates back to the early 16th century. The Okpambe fishing festival is an annual one week festivity observed in the first quarter of every year between the months ofJanuary and April. Each of the lakes has the capacity to accommodate a crowd of 10,000 to 20,000 participants

 

Located about two to three kilometers from the town on a flat and rich savannah, Nkum Okpambe is fortunate to have multiple access or approaches into the community with the main access roads being the Obubra–Ofumbongha– Nkum Okpambe road.  Others are Alesi– Okosora–Nkum Okpambe road from Ikom axis and Ochon–Onyen Okpon–Nkum Okpambe roads.  Across the river also, the community can be accessed from Ayughasa junction on Ikom–Ogoja highway to Oyenghe and crossover with a speed boat either from Oyenghe or Eganga into the community.

In spite of the numerous potentials that abound in this community on tourism, agriculture, culture and commerce, there is no motorable road as the three access or approach roads have never experienced any form of construction.

Besides these lakes there are other tourism sites like the “WONDER SLAB OF STONE” otherwise known as “LECHOR OLIKPILIKPO” in Yala language. It’s mystical and historical existence is sacred to the Nkum Okpambe people, as it was brought along with the people during their migration from Abachor Okpamhe in the present Yala Local Government Area. The stone measures just an arm’s length but comparatively longer than anyone who measures his/her length with it, no matter how tall the person is. Practically, it is a short slab of stone but known as the long stone because of its magical effect.

There is also the presence of ancient monoliths spread across the villages of Okpambe town. They are mainly located in Omindom, Ukpochi and Ogana ancestral playgrounds.  They are wonderful sights to behold with some interesting stories and rich historical accounts.

There  are also beautiful sand beaches, waterfalls, a mysterious secret bush, a beautiful traditional palace and others.

 Nkum Okpambe people are extremely receptive, industrious and hospitable. They symbolize peace, unity and a diplomatic melting point between their fellow Obubra and Ikom neighbours.

These rich cultural and natural dispositions have propped up the imperative to take advantage of the “OKPAMBE FISHING AND CULTURAL FESTIVAL” (OCAFFEST).

OKPAMBE FISHING AND CULTURAL FESTIVAL (OCAFFEST), to say the least is a Social, Economic, Cultural and Tourism goldmine waiting to be tapped.  This obviously is not an over statement considering the advantages abound.

The organizers therefore call for partnership, sponsorship and investment from Governmental and non Governmental organizations and individuals to transform OCAFFEST into a global brand."

 

When asked about the duration of the festival, the former Media aide to the National president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria said said:

"OCAFFEST is an annual festival that runs for one week and begins with traditional rites in the palace of the king known as OGABOR in Yala language.  Prior to the festival, the Ogabor in consultation with his chiefs and kingmakers called “Al’Atumambe” together with the festival planning committee  meet to fix the date and it is subsequently announced by a senior member of Al’Atumambe who goes around the town with a metal gong known as “WUJE” in Yala.

ON THE FEATURES OF THE FESTIVAL, the Obubra Born filmmaker and author of PATHWAYS TO STARDOM said"

Apart from the fish-catch competition where thousands of local fishermen line up the coast of Okum and Eminyi lakes to compete for the biggest catch of the year, the festival Parades a rich Cultural content that includes a fishing and

Cultural carnival, farm produce and

Indigenous technology exhibition (fishing tools and other arts), 

Native delicacies and food exhibition,  business expo, 

A symposium on Yala-Obubra language and culture, 

Sports and novelties

Award, pageantry, and gala night" 

Speaking also, the Clan Head of Yala-Obubra, Ochuole Gabriel Inaku expressed overwhelming Joy in the visit while at the same time calling on the Government to intensify efforts towards  redeeming the people of Yala-Obubra near extinction due to bad road and lack the basic amenities of life.  He also appealed to the Government to make Okpambe Fishing festival a State affair as to attract investors to the community.  

In a reaction, the Honourable commissioner for Culture and Tourism Development, Hon. Eric Anderson thanked the people of Yala-Obubra for the warmth reception and promised to partner with the leadership of Obubra Local Government council, the management of Coneri Magazine( the consulting company) and the people of Yala-Obubra to make the festival bigger and better in 2022 and beyond.  He said the state government is interested in developing new Tourism sites and is  willing to take over the festival as a government event. He also pledged that he will ensure that  Governor Ben Ayade attends next edition as well as communicate the plight of the community to him especially as it concerns the road. 

" I promise the people of Yala-Obubra that the Government of Cross River State will come into the festival and make it bigger and better. And as for the road, we are going to engage the ministry of works and ensure tourists have access road to the community to witness the festival. As you all know, Governor Ben Ayade is interested in developing new Tourism sites and ensuring that Cross Riverians from all works of life and from all quarters of the state live the best of life and in peace. I'm glad that we have started preparations for the 2022 edition on time. The Government of Cross River State will partner with Obubra Local Government council, Coneri Magazine  and other relevant stakeholders to create an international fishing festival in the state." 

Similarly,  the chairman of Obubra Local Government council, Dr Bassey Agara Tom has promised to help the people of Yala-Obubra out of their present conditions. The chairman made this information during the visit of the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism Development in his office. While appreciating the gesture of the honourable commissioner and staff of the ministry of Culture and Tourism development for indicating interest to make Okpambe Fishing festival a State event, Dr. Bassey promised to partner with the ministry and Coneri Magazine to float 2022 edition and subsequent ones.  He also promised to fix a bridge on the road that has posed serious challenge to vehicles and pedestrians plying Nkum Okpambe- Ofumbongha road. 

" Obubra is blessed with beautiful sites and a rich Cultural heritage, especially Yala-Obubra. But road a major concern. I have taken it upon myself to fix the bridge that has caught the community from the rest of the world. Even if I don't do anything else for Yala-Obubra, I must work on that bridge."

The end.