C'River Gov't Pledges To Revive Leboku International Festival, Seeks Inclusive Participation
By Ndifereke BASSEY
Cross River state government has pledged to rejuvenate the annual Leboku New Yam International Festival.
The Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Hon. Chief Robert Abubakar Ewa, who stated this when he led a delegation to different Obol Lopon of Yakurr communities in their palace.
Communities that their Obol Lopon were visited by the commissioner and his team members include Ugep, Ekori, Assiga (old and new) Town, Inyima, Nko, Mkpani, Agoi and Idomi.
Ewah enunciated that the Leboku International Festival is a cultural event that is established for the sole purpose of promoting unity amongst the Yakurr people, adding that the festival is significant to the government and the international community.
According to him, "Leboku is intended to show case their agricultural affluence to the world aimed at increasing the traffic to communities and boost economic activities during the festival season."
He enjoined the different Obol Lopons to cooperate with the government to ensure a successful hosting of leboku, especially in this season of sweetness which Yakurr is not left out.
He further enjoined the communities to send in their representatives from each Yakurr community so that they can be part of the 2024 Yakurr Leboku International Festival planning committee.
Speaking also, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Pastor (Mrs) Eme Affia, said there is need for peace and unity amongst the Yakurr communities.
She appealed to all the Obol Lopon of different communities and their people to participate fill in this year's festival and beyond to make Leboku colourful and improve upon the cultural heritage.
The Obol Lopon of the different communities expressed their resentment over the monopoly they have suffered in the past festivals that made them withdraw their participation, thanked the Government for their concerns and promised their onward participation in the Leboku International New Yam Festival.
He enjoined the different Obol Lopons to cooperate with the government to ensure a successful hosting of leboku, especially in this season of sweetness which Yakurr is not left out.
He further enjoined the communities to send in their representatives from each Yakurr community so that they can be part of the 2024 Yakurr Leboku International Festival planning committee.
The delegation including the management and staff of the ministry visited the different Obol Lopon of Yakurr communities including Ugep, Ekori, Assiga (old and new) Town, Inyima, Nko, Mkpani, Agoi and Idomi.
