… Pledge Festival Inclusiveness In C’River Tourism Calendar
By Balimwor Ekpe
The Governor of Cross River State Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu, on Monday 16th, September, 2024, attended the Ukelle New Yam Festival ( Likpee Ukelle) in yala local Government area, where he promised the people of inclusion of their festival in the Cross River State tourism calendar.
The festival which was a colourful array of cultural and traditional processions of the Ukelle people, brought together Royal fathers, home and diaspora based indigenes of yala, legislative officers and appointees of Government in the State to celebrate the Likpee Ukelle with the theme, Celebration of Unity And Prosperity.
The festival arena was decorated by MTN with their flags and brand materials, as they instantly opened two new mobile shops to carry out their on-the-go-business.
In his remarks, the Governor who was ably represented by the Honourable commissioner for Tourism Arts and Culture, Hon. Chief Robert Abubakar Ewa, remarked Cross River as a rich and fertile agrarian State that is in her season of harvest and celebration of bountiful crops harvest through festivals in the central and northern parts of the state. He emphasized that, these festival being celebrated in different parts of north and central Cross River enhances the economy of the State through the traffic it grows, financial boost it creates for the hospitality, transport sector, costume makers, communication industry and lots more, leading to the promotion of the cultural, arts and tourism sector of the State.
He extolled the Ukelle people for sustaining their rich cultural heritage and also the farmers for their hard work that has resulted to the harvest of healthy crops and food production that serves the people of Cross River, also implored them to be more committed to farming and bountiful food production, as the people’s first administration of Governor Bassey Otu is intentional about sufficient food production and security that will serve Cross River and her neighbouring States.
The tourism commissioner lauded the Ukelle people for the common unity and peace they share which is pivotal to the progress they enjoy. further assured them of the prince Bassey Otu’s commitment to the development of Ukelle community and the entire yala local Government area.
Ewa concluded by pledging the inclusion of the Ukelle festival in the tourism calendar of the State, which will bring about Government sponsorship of subsequent Ukelle New yam festival celebrations.
Dignitaries present at the event includes, Hon. Chief. Abubakar Ewa- the Honourable commissioner for tourism, arts and culture and staff of the ministry,Dist. Sen. Jarigbe Agom-Senator Representing Northern Senatorial district, Dr. Julius Okputu, Elder(Dr).Hippolatus Lukpata-commissioner for international donor coordination, Hon.Pius Ashakia-member representing obanliku state constituency,Mrs. Ogar Modey Nanu-Asst comptroller of customs(Rtd), Hon.Brian Odey- member representing yala 1 State constituency, Hon.Martins Achadu phd- member representing yala 1,State constituency, wing commodore Stanley Okputu, Hon. Daniel Ugabaja, miss. Beatrice Akpala and Dr.Boniface Ogumbe.
