By Balimwor Ekpe
The Honourable commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture in Cross River State, Hon Chief. Robert Abubakar Ewa has paid a courtesy visit on the Obol Lopon of Ugep and Paramount Ruler of Yakurr Local Government Area’ His Royal Majesty Obol Ofem Eteng Ubana, to seek collaboration with the traditional institution and organizers of the Leboku international festival for adequate preparations and strengthening of the festival to make it lofty this year.
Addressing the Obol Lopon and paramount Ruler of Yakurr, the Commissioner remarked that, the Leboku festival has been prioritize in the Tourism calendar of the state which is why Government is passionate about it. He emphasized that Leboku was built on Unity for all the yakurr communities and whatever concerns Leboku must be done appropriately, further complained of Leboku’s decline in quality, elegance and fanfare it use to showcase in the past years, which is why Government has stood up on her feet to ensure Leboku is revitalized and gains more prominence than ever.
Responding, the Obol Lopon, HRM Obol Ofem Eteng Ubana appreciated the visit of the Honourable Commissioner and his entourage to the place, extolled them for their concern and appealed for augmentation in support from Government for the festival, while promising that the festival would be better this year.
Also Speaking, the permanent secretary of the Ministry, Pastor Mrs. Eme Affia expressed gratitude to the Obol Lopon for warmly receiving the ministry to his palace, pointed out the precedence of Leboku to Cross River as a tourism state and appealed for synergy between the palace and Government for the organizing of a grand Leboku Festival this year.
The commissioner visited the palace in company of a royal son of Yakurr’ Chief. James Uket, the permanent Secretary of the ministry-Pastor Mrs.Eme Affia, the director Of Echo Tourism-Mr. Clement Mina, the assistant director of culture -Mrs. Esther Ogon and other staff of the ministry.
