New Yam Festival to attract more Car Star prizes - Imoke (29/8/08)

Star Prizes of the yearly Leboku New Yam Festival of Yakurr Local Government Area have been increased from one saloon car to three to attract more participation and international attention.

Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State disclosed this at the grand finale of the festival at Ugep, Wednesday, saying that the hitherto car star prize for Miss Leboku has been extended to Mr. Leboku and the Best All Round Harvester with effect from the 2009 edition.

He said the festival has the history of Yakurr people and the history of Ugep people which has been celebrated for many years which displays the rich culture and heritage, unity, peace and affection.

Imoke noted that it has so many qualities which must be brought to the fore because of its historical significance, and even socio-economic political significance which should be recognized, stressing that it is not only a display by maidens but a celebration of the harvest season, youth and what sustains the economy which is agricultural production.

He remarked that it is for this reason that the state is determined to preserve the festival, and strengthen it as one of the tourist attractions of its Calendar, adding that the Star prize of a brand new vehicle to Miss Leboku introduced this year has not been done before and the state intends to sustain it.

He stated that both Mr. Leboku and the best farmer will equally; take home cars as Star Prized from next year. He believes this will further raise the profile of the event, and further attract more sponsorship from the private sector.

He challenged the organizers to ensure that the 2009 festival exceeds that of 2008 and keep proving on it until it becomes truly the international festival of choice in Nigeria, stressing that the importance of the festival to the state can not be over emphasized because it is a festival which in its early days attracted people from far and wide.

“As we grow the festival and as we celebrate Leboku and as we internationalize Leboku, we will even get more visitors coming into Yakurr to participate in this very glamorous event but also having more people coming here to invest in the area” he noted.

Imoke enjoined the private sector partners to continue to invest in it as the state grows the festival and celebrate it as government intends to extend invitations to others governors because he had received assurance from the Chairman of Yakurr Local Government Council that the venue will be completed next year before the next festival.

The Special Adviser Tourism Development, Mr. Gabe Onah in an address explained that the dimension which the festival had attained was a fulfillment of a promise made by Imoke last year and that it is not only of socio-economic importance but encourages peace, harmony and good neighborliness which the people have benefited from the state’s tourism programme.

Onah, while commending the corporate sponsors of the festival, MTN, noted that government intends to develop a free ground policy where others will come on board to better the lot of the people and hoped it will be sustained, saying that the festival’s traditional content will not be tampered with but left in its unique form while suggesting that the name of the venue be changed to Leboku Stadium as an indication of the love which the council has for the festival.

Mr. Kenechukwu Okonkwo Regional Manager MTN who described the festival as something else, said MTN will continue to showcase it for a long time as they have set a yard stick for other corporate bodies to follow, adding that Cross River has evolved into a world acclaimed tourism haven.

Okonkwo said MTN is committed to the development of tourism in Nigeria as its aim is to ensure Leboku becomes a brand on its own and having started, the 2009 edition will attract international attention.

The Chairman of Yakurr Local Government Council, Hon. Ubi Itam Ettah in his welcome address commended the State Government for uplifting the status of the festival as shown by participation and attendance, stating that the Star prize would act as incentive for more participation.

Ettah requested for the development of the festival arena while pledging to focus on programmes and projects that will bring development to the area.

Activities displayed at the festival included procession of traditional rulers in the traditional regalia and the drummers – Ejukwa, parade of cultural troupes, parade of Leboku maidens and performance by all cultural troupes, parade of Yekpi boys and girls and libin dance.

The male winner of the wrestling Competition Omini Abam Onen went home with Motorcycle, the first runner up Etuk Ubi Edet barbing kit and the second runner up Arikpo John Ubi a generating set.

In the women category, Arit Ikpi Utum who came first went home with fashion design equipment, Abigail Okoi Magnus second hair dressing equipment and the third place Koko Eno Ofem a generator.

The Best harvester (Leboku) was won by Mrs. Obal Ikpi who carted a Motor cycle followed by Mrs. Florence Bassey Ani table top fridge and Mrs. Elizabeth Uket Usani a generator.

Miss Christiana Sixtus Ubi won the 2008 Miss Leboku and went home with the Star prize of a Skoda Fabia Saloon Car while the first runner up Miss Vivian Sunday Ewa got Fashion design equipment and the third Miss Maureen Solomon Ubi received hairdressing salon equipment, in the male category Usani Papa Omini came first and got a Qlink C125 Motorcycle, second place Patrick Benedict Abam got a barbing equipment and third Eteng James Okoi received a generator.

Imoke accompanied by his wife Obioma and Deputy Governor; Mr. Efiok Cobham had earlier paid a traditional homage to the Obol Lopon of Ugep and the Paramount ruler of Yakurr Local Government Area, Obol Ojong Ubi Inah in his palace before proceeding to the festival ground.

Government House Press