Otu Commends Yakurr Nation For Sustaining Leboku Legacy
Hannah ARIKPO
Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu has lauded the industrious people of Yakurr for the successful celebration of this year's famous Leboku New Yam Festival celebration in Ugep, the Yakurr local government council headquarters.
Otu, who spoke through his deputy, Hon. Peter Odey during a visit to the Paramount Ruler of Yakurr, Obol Lopon of Ugep, Obol Ofem Ubana Eteng, commended the Ugep nation for keeping fate with the tradition of the land in the yearly celebration of the renowned ancient Leboku festival which portrays the people as an agriarian traditional african Society.
"The Governor, Senator, Prince Bassey Otu had scheduled this visit today. Since, he could not make it, he promised to celebrate next year's Leboku festival with you the Royal father's of the land personally", Otu promised.
The Governor, used the opportunity to thank the people for their support which contributed to the emergence of the present administration and pledged to ensure that Yakurr people are favoured in the present dispensation.
" I want to appreciate the good people of Ugep for the unalloyed support the present administration has enjoyed so far and is still enjoying. I promise to ensure that every man, woman and youth of this area enjoys the reward of that support", he assured.
Responding, the Paramount Ruler of Yakurr and Obol Lopon of Ugep, Obol Ofem Ubana Eteng, thanked the Governor's delegation for the visit explaining that the purpose of celebrating the New Yam Festival was to express gratitude to God for preserving their lives and survived the four months period of hunger experienced after the planting season.
The Obol Lopon described the month of August each year as a period of plenty and a time to celebrate the arrival of new yams.
"New Yam Festival is a time for the Yakurr nation to celebrate and appease the gods of the land for sparing our lives after the planting season. It is also a period to make friends, pray to god for more development to the area. During this period the price of food stuff like garri and yams is reduce because its in abundance", the Obol disclosed.
According to him, the people are happy with the systematic leadership style of the Senator, Prince Otu and Odey led administration and pledged their transparent loyalty to the government of the day,
