Leboku 2018: We’re ready for this year’s new yam festival —Obol Lopon of Ugep

The 16th Obol Lopon of Ugep and Paramount Ruler of Yakurr nation in Cross River State, His Royal Highness Ofem Ubana Eteng has said that all is now set for this year's celebration of the high event, Ugep Leboku NegroidHaven can report. The front-line traditional ruler informed that his Council of Chiefs, Council of Advisers and his entire kingdom are ready for the high event. 

The Obol Lopon of Ugep made this known last weekend in a press briefing organised by the state committee responsible for ensuring that this year's Ugep Leboku is successful. While addressing the government team, traditional rulers, visitors, newsmen, etc, the traditional ruler who expressed happiness at the news of the governor coming to the event this year in person said that Leboku is a wonderful time for the Ugep people, a time of merriment and blessings so much so that they don't mourn or even bury the dead. 

Acknowledging the telecom giant, MTN for their unflinching support through previous over ten editions, the Obol Lopon of Ugep informed that this year’s edition will be recording additives like dance festival, new tourist sites, etc. Reacting to the controversy surrounding the award of contracts by the government in respect of the high celebration, the traditional ruler said he had intervened, informing that contracts won't be awarded to just foreigners, that indigenes of Ugep will be awarded contracts as well. However, he charged that, when awarded, the contracts should be perfectly executed. 

According to him, 'I want to on behalf of Ugep people welcome you to Ugep and the Obol palace. Leboku is a wonderful time for we the owners. In this period, we don't bury the dead, even if there is death, we don't cry. 

'I am very happy the governor is coming in person. I have been answering questions as to why the governor hasn't been gracing previous editions. This year, they will see him in person. 

'I know that this year's celebration will be better than last year's: we are introducing dance festival, we have discovered a new tour site —a cave,the wave-stone, waterfall, etc. We are ready for this event.'

Concerning modalities to check sharp practices by the farmers who would enter into the competition, the Obol Ubana said that since 'I became Obol Lopon in 2015, I ensured that all the yam harvesters are our local farmers'. This would help ensure that the winner of the best harvester is not a foreigner, neither someone who bought yams in the nearby market. 

The traditional ruler who made a passionate appeal to the government for the construction of a pavilion at the Palace of the Obol of Ugep, further observed that his office is in contact with the Federal Government to create a market for the commercialisation of the yam produce. 

According to the SA to the Governor of the State on Event Management, Mr Ken Aklah, government organised the Leboku celebration out of the need to prioritise agriculture, encourage agro-communities and engender bonding. He disclosed that government was ready to make the event bigger, increasing the tempo. According to him, 'As part of what has become meaningful routine, we gather here to herald to the world, Leboku. It is important to note that government didn't just establish this event, government needed to encourage our agro-communities, government created this event to create bonding, to allow Leboku showcase its rich heritage. For us as government, we are ready to make it bigger, we are going to raise the tempo. 

'We are organising this event because government wants to encourage agriculture; that is the way to go. As government we are saying that the way to go is green. We are finding ways to add colour to yams in Yakurr. 

Present at the press briefing were members of the Obol Lopon of Ugep Council of Chiefs, members of the Obol Lopon of Ugep Council of Advisers, MTN representative Mr Seriki Nurudin, the HOLGA of Ugep, Mr Michael Onogha, Special Adviser to Governor of Cross River State on Events Mr Ken Aklah, Honourable Commissioner for Tourism Mr Eric Anderson, Mr Noel Ugbong, Mr Emmanuel Adomi, ES of Ugep Urban Development Mr Samuel Bassey, DPO of Yakurr Mr Abugo Richard. 

The 2018 edition of Ugep Leboku commenced Wednesday 4th of July to climax on Thursday 23rd August.