The Cross River state government has said it would upgrade and develop identified tourist sites in Yakuur local government area of the State and turn them into tourism destinations to generate revenue to government.
Ekpenyong Ojoi, Director, Programmes in the State Tourism Bureau said this in Ugep, Tuesday during a press briefing which was part of activities to mark the commencement of this year’s Leboku International Festival of the Yakurr people which would climax on Monday, August 21,2023.
Ojoi explained that the festival, which has the theme “Ugep International Festival: ‘An Agro-tourism event and a Panacea for post Covid 19 Economy,’ would witness many side attractions with thousands of people expected.
“Few years ago, we discovered a stream which brings out both hot and cold water in Yakurr, there is also a War Stone which wrecked havoc on enemies of Ugep people during their inter-communal wars. There is also a Waterfalls amongst others. These will be developed and upgraded,” Ojoi said.
In his remarks, Mr Emmanuel Ironbar, Chief of Staff to Governor Bassey Otu said the 2023 Leboku festival would be remarkable, saying government has started investing resources into the festival and promised better days for Leboku.
Ironbar said the festival has united four autonomous communities of the Yakuur people, and that the presence of government would be visible during the festival on Monday.
The Paramount Ruler of Yakurr and Obol Lopon of Ugep, HRM Ofem Ubana Eteng, in his remarks, called on all Yakuur sons and daughters across the world to make plans to attend the festival which, he said, promises to be bigger than previous editions.
Also speaking, Chibuzor Akuchie, Regional Manager of MTN Nigeria, said the company has been sponsoring the event for 16 years and that MTN would continue to support culture of the Nigerian people with “mobile money.”
