As an acclaimed tourism destination in Nigeria, the Cross River State government has stated its determination to introduce new innovations into one of its tourism products, the annual Leboku new yam festival in Yakurr, which it said, shall be the fusion of the people’s culture and agriculture, with fantastic prizes lined-up for best harvesters and winners of the Leboku competitions.

In a statement  in Ugep, Yakurr Local Government Area of the state, Special Assistant to Governor Liyel Imoke on Administration, Mr.  Sunny Ude,  said government was ready to take the festival to great heights, considering its cultural and tourism importance.  He said events mapped out for the annual fiesta shall include female and male wrestling bouts, football competitions, inaugural lectures, exchange of visits and gifts.

Other features, Mr. Ude said,  will be the visitation to tourists’ sites, sensitization campaign on HIV/AIDS, cultural display by different cultural troupes as well as beauty pageant contests for Miss and Mr. Leboku 2010.

He  said these shall culminate in  the grand  finale of the  festival, which shall take place on August 17,  2010
The Governor’s aide described as enormous, the benefits of the event, and stressed that the festival has increased awareness on the need to return to  farming, apart from improving on the image of the nation and attracting investors to the state.

Also speaking, Paramount Ruler of Yakurr, HRH Obol Ubi Ujong Inah said Leboku is not a diabolic event but a celebration of God’s love, and appreciation to Him for granting the Yakurr people good harvest, just few months after planting season.  He  appealed to Yakurr sons and daughters at home and in Diaspora to make use of the opportunity.

Co_sponsor of the fiesta, MTN, represented by Mr. Kester Ohahenye, Regional Manager, South_South said the festival falls under the company’s Fest plat-form, and that MTN has always identified with Cross River State government in events of such magnitude, reiterating that the company seeks to tell the world that Nigeria is not the way it is painted outside.  He believed that the rapport between the company and the state government would be sustained.