Cross River Committed to Domesticating Okpambe Fishing Festival, Describes Event as a Unique Tourism Product

Cross River Committed to Domesticating Okpambe Fishing Festival, Describes Event as a Unique Tourism Product

The Cross River State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture has reaffirmed its commitment to domesticating the Okpambe Fishing Festival, describing the annual cultural event as a unique tourism product with the potential to boost the state's tourism economy, preserve cultural heritage and stimulate grassroots development.

The assurance was given on Friday when organisers of the Okpambe Fishing Festival paid a courtesy visit to the Ministry at Okoi Arikpo House, Calabar, to seek stronger government partnership and discuss the formal domestication of the festival as part of the state's official tourism calendar.

The delegation was led by the Director of the Festival and Chief Executive Officer of Coneri Nigeria, Amb. Comr. Eriacy Confidence Oba, and included the President-General of the Yala-Obubra Town Council and Crown Prince of the Kingdom, Agabaachanghro Ode Stephen Inaku Odey (DSP Rtd.), as well as the winner of the 2026 Moninkim Maiden Contest and Face of the Festival, Agabaachanya Ochei Blessing Ebey (Moninkim Okpambe III).

Speaking during the meeting, the Director of the Festival, Amb. Comr. Eriacy Confidence Oba, said the visit was aimed at strengthening collaboration with the ministry and soliciting government support to elevate the festival into a major tourism event on the state's calendar.

He explained that the courtesy visit was also to notify the ministry of a broader stakeholders' engagement planned for next month, which will involve traditional rulers, government officials, development partners and other key stakeholders to advance discussions on the future of the festival.

According to him, the Okpambe Fishing Festival is more than a celebration of fishing traditions, describing it as a platform for promoting cultural heritage, environmental conservation, youth empowerment, community development and economic growth through tourism.

He noted that the festival has continued to gain popularity and deserves formal recognition and sustained government investment to unlock its enormous tourism and socio-economic potential.

Speaking on behalf of the host community, the President-General of the Yala-Obubra Town Council, Agabaachanghro Ode Stephen Inaku Odey (DSP Rtd.), reaffirmed the community's readiness and commitment to the continued growth of the festival.

He said the people of Yala-Obubra are eager to see the festival transformed into a globally recognised cultural and tourism event capable of attracting visitors, creating employment, stimulating local businesses and improving livelihoods within the kingdom.

Prince Odey conveyed the goodwill of the custodian of the festival and Ogabo of Okpambe Kingdom, AgabaIdu Oche Oguda Achigbe XI, as well as the entire people of Yala-Obubra, while appealing for consistent government funding and institutional support for the festival.

He further disclosed that part of his mission in Calabar was to pursue security initiatives already established by the Ofumbongha/Yala Clan leadership to guarantee the safety of tourists, investors and residents during the festival and beyond.

In her remarks, the winner of the 2026 Moninkim Maiden Contest and official Ambassador of the Festival, Agabaachanya Ochei Blessing Ebey, unveiled her pet projects aimed at promoting the festival and empowering young people.

She said her initiatives include advocating for the establishment of an Okpambe Fish Estate, the construction of a Moninkim Sculpture in the host community to serve as a cultural landmark, and the implementation of Back-to-School Support Programmes for students in Obubra Local Government Area.

Responding on behalf of the ministry, the Director of Tourism, Mr. Daniel Akeke Akeke, commended the organisers for their vision and consistency in promoting Cross River's rich cultural heritage.

He assured the delegation that the ministry is committed to domesticating the Okpambe Fishing Festival because it aligns with the state government's vision of developing community-based tourism, preserving indigenous cultures, creating jobs and expanding the state's tourism offerings beyond the established destinations.

Mr. Akeke further disclosed that he would brief the Permanent Secretary on the outcome of the meeting, noting that the recent appointment of a substantive Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture presents an opportunity for broader engagement. He expressed optimism that the proposed stakeholders' meeting next month would include the Commissioner, the Permanent Secretary and other critical officials of the ministry.

He added that festivals such as Okpambe provide opportunities to attract domestic and international visitors, stimulate rural economies and showcase the rich cultural diversity of Cross River State.

Also speaking, the Assistant Director of Tourism, Mrs. Rosekate Archibong, lauded the organisers and the Yala-Obubra community for sustaining an authentic cultural festival with significant tourism value.

She encouraged the organisers to maintain high standards in planning, documentation and promotion, assuring them of the ministry's continued technical support and collaboration towards positioning the Okpambe Fishing Festival as one of Nigeria's foremost cultural tourism events.

Mrs. Archibong further pledged the Ministry's partnership in accelerating the growth of the Okpambe Fishing Festival into a globally recognised cultural and tourism brand.

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