UNICROSS Ikpi, UNICAL Kokolu Emerges 2024 Mr. And Miss Leboku Festival 

…As Otu Promises To Make Event Better

Traditional African culture was at crescendo during 19th edition of Leboku Festival which featured aesthetical dances from cultural troops, parade of maidens, royal presence, women groups outing, drama presentation, display of bountiful harvests, a wrestling contest, incantations, songs rendition, among other ingredients of merriments with

Mr. Mbui John Ikpi and Miss Williams Kokolu emerging winners of 2024 edition of Mr. and Miss Leboku.

27 years Mbui John Ikpi, the 2024 Mr Leboku is a graduate of Animal and Environmental Sciences, University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) while 22 years Williams Kokolu, the Miss Leboku is an undergraduate student at the prestigious University of Calabar (UNICAL).

Governor Bassey Otu, represented by the Deputy Governor, RT  Hon. Dr. Peter Odey said the government is committed to taking Leboku to higher heights. The colourful event which took place 21 August, 2024 had the Governor adding that time has come for all Yakurr sons and daughters to embrace uniqueness of their cultural heritage as tradition and customs have not only come to stay but will continue to take the Centre-stage in the tourism sector and affairs of Africans.

On ease of movement of Tourists into the Paradise State, the state second in command Officer revealed that government has concluded arrangements to procure additional four aircraft to address said challenges, pointing that current administration is poised to making Cross River the preferred tourism destination point in Nigeria and Africa by extension.

Meanwhile, the Special Adviser, Events Management, Governor’s office, Effiong Ekpenyong, said Leboku International New Yam festival was conceptualized by the state government primarily as a veritable means of fostering unity and brotherhood among the previously uneasy communities of Yakurr, adding that Governor Bassey Edet Otu’s administration has brought in a paradigm shift from consolidating on the prevailing peace in Yakurr to the enterprise development of the people. He says

“The fundamental objective of the event had since been achieved as all the communities have continually fostered concord and harmony among themselves.

The event is now a development catalyst as entrepreneurs in the tourism sub-sector have upgraded hotel facilities to meet the taste of our tourists.

“There is an ongoing rehabilitation of the Ugep network of roads to facilitate the movement of goods and services.

Beside the provision of a pick-up van for the best harvester among other coveted prizes by the state government, Leboku is encouraging the production of yam and cassava beyond subsistence level and conveyance of same to the urban centres.

“We therefore, use this opportunity to urge the locals to explore and exploit other inherent economic potentials of the Leboku International New Yam Festival such as tour guide to tourist sites, exhibition and sale of arts and crafts, display and sale of staple food crops etc.

“The rich cultural dances and cuisines indigenous to the Yakurr people should be harnessed for commercial purposes.

Leboku celebration is always a season of sweetness. We therefore urge our discerning tourists, friends and the good people of Yakurr to enjoy the fruits of their handwork in agriculture and resilience in sustaining this cultural heritage.”

Also speaking, the Obol Lopon of Ugep and Paramount Ruler of Yakurr local government area, Obol, Ofem Ubana Eteng, said the event is an appreciation to God for bountiful harvest of half yams culminating into full-grown yams.

Obol, Eteng assured that the community will continue to cooperate with the state government in promoting the Yakurr cultural festival as it has catalyzed into community development and unity among the people.

Dignitaries present are not limited to Hon. Cyril Omini, Member,Yakurr I State Constituency, Honourable Members of the Cross River state House of Assembly, Hon. Abubakar Robert Ewa, Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Managing Director of Tourism Bureau, Prince Ekpenyong Ojoi, Chief Judge of the state represented by the state Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Barrister Alphonsus Eba, represented by Dr Abubakar Efoli, Deputy Chairman, APC Central, former Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon John Gaul Lebo, royal fathers from across the eleven communities, and other political big wigs.

It’s instructive to note that Mbui John Ikpi defeated nine other contestants to clinch the coveted prize while Williams Kokolu defeated 14 other contestants to emerge Miss Leboku.

Leboku is an annual new yam festival of the Yakurr people in Central Senatorial District of the state.