TOURISM: Gov. Otu, Wife Grace 2025 Leboku New Yam Festival, Promise More Agricultural Dev

Bassey BASSEY 

The 2025 edition of the Leboku International New Yam Festival broke a long standing jinx as the Governor of Cross River State, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, and his wife, Her Excellency Bishop (Mrs.) Eyoanwan Bassey Edet Otu, graced the occasion. 

Their presence brought excitement and deep honor to the Yakurr people, uplifting the spirit of the festivity.

This year’s celebration drew dignitaries from across Cross River State, Nigeria, and the diaspora, adding renewed glamour to the age-old tradition

This year’s festival carried the theme: “Fostering Community Co-operation for Sustainable Food Security.” The theme aligns with Governor Otu’s administration’s policy thrust on agricultural development and smallholder farmers’ cooperatives.

Governor Otu, in his address, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to agricultural development, stating:

“On the part of the state government, we will not relent in providing tractors, planters, mini-irrigation machines, soft loans, grants, improved seedlings, fertilizers, pesticides, and other farming incentives to boost crop yield.”

He further called on other ethnic groups to emulate Yakurr’s spirit of inter-communal harmony and announced plans to give the historic Yakurr Peace Stadium a facelift ahead of the next Leboku Festival.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of Yakurr local government area, Hon. Inyang Yibala Igri, pledged to expand agricultural partnerships and foster inter-community cooperation to attract investment into the agricultural sector.

In his goodwill message, the Obol Lopon of Ugep and Paramount Ruler of Yakurr Nation, Obol Ofem Ibana, thanked Governor Otu for attending the 2025 Leboku and for giving Yakurr indigenes visible representation in his administration.

Speaking during the event, the Special Adviser on Events Management, Governor’s Office, Mr. Effiong Ekpenyong, emphasized Leboku’s role in uniting communities while creating agro-economic opportunities to improve livelihoods. He also commended the Governor’s wife for her humanitarian initiatives, particularly in supporting women in agriculture.

The festival’s highlights included the presentation of cars to Mr. and Miss Leboku 2025, Master Ephraim Okoi and Miss Kebe Eni, as well as a harvesting truck to the best farmer. Her Excellency also empowered women of the Ugep Urban Development Authority at the Council Guest House.

With this year’s outing, Leboku continues to grow in content, cultural value, heritage pride, and global appeal, positioning itself as one of Nigeria’s most celebrated cultural festivals