By Balimwor Ekpe
The State Chairman of National Youth Council of Nigeria, Cross River State chapter, Obol Comr. Emmanuel Otogbo Olayi, today graced the Bekwarra new yam festival in company of numerous youths of the State who joined him to celebrate the festival in his hometown Abuochiche, Bekwarra Local Government Area.
The chairman who was recently conferred the royal title of Obol Bendem II in yakurr local Government area, arrived the venue of the Bekwarra new yam festival at St.Francis primary school Abuochiche In the entourage of the Cross River State Commissioner for Finance, Mr.Micheal Odere and was warmly received by youths groups, women groups and elders of Bekwarra who poured encomiums and prayers on him, thanking him for making Bekwarra proud through his outstanding performance in the State ever since he assumed office as State Chairman of National Youth Council in Cross River State, said they are proud of his humility, hard work and value creation that he is known for.
The colourful event which was well attended by indigenes of Bekwarra and other parts of the State featured varieties of cultural displays, awards presentation to winners of the pageantry, medical outreach, Chieftaincy coronation on illustrious sons and empowerment of youths and women done by the Honourable Commissioner for Finance Mr. Micheal Odere.
In his address, Comr. Olayi expressed gratitude to the royal fathers and people of Bekwarra for preserving their ancestral heritage, emphasized on the significance of the new yam festival as a cultural event that is used to appreciate God for giving the people bumper harvest and has nurtured peace and uncommon love among the people, insisted that the festival needs to be sustained for future generations to inherit and continue celebrating.
He encouraged the people of Bekwarra to remain committed to farming and cultivation of Crops for sufficient food production that will ease hunger and high cost of food in the state, assured them of Governor Bassey Otu’s commitment to encourage and support farmers with improved seedlings, fertilizers and herbicides for healthy and adequate food production.
Finally, he charged the Bekwarra youths to be law abiding and support Government programs so as to attract vast development to themselves and Bekwarra communities.
