The Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, over the weekend, attended the 2024 Mbube New Yam Festival, which took place at St. Francis Primary School Field in Obgeria Ogang, Mbube East, Ogoja Local Government Area.
In his remarks, the Deputy Governor of Cross River State represented by the Commissioner for Tourism, Art & Culture, Chief Ewa Robert Abubakar, emphasized the importance of the Mbube New Yam Festival as a vital cultural heritage. He expressed gratitude to the people of Mbube nation for preserving their customs and traditions, despite the influence of modernity on society.
The Deputy Governor’s representative urged the Mbube community and all Cross Riverians to embrace farming as a means to tackle the looming food crisis and increase food production amid rising food prices across the country.
He expressed concern that many young people are abandoning agriculture in favor of white-collar jobs, a trend that could lead to prolonged hunger and food shortages. However, he assured the people that the government of Senator Prince Bassey Otu’s ‘People First’ in line with President Bola Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda, is implementing deliberate measures to address this issue.
He further informed the community that Governor Bassey Otu has provided farm inputs and incentives to farmers to rekindle their interest in agriculture and improve their standard of living.
On his part, the Paramount Ruler and Chairman of the Ogoja Local Government Traditional Rulers Council, HRM Oti Mathias Odey Abua, highlighted that beyond the dancing and celebrations, the New Yam Festival serves as a platform to encourage the community to embrace agriculture as a means to enhance food production, eradicate hunger, and promote the Mbube cultural heritage.
He commended Governor Bassey Otu for his proactive leadership, particularly in the agricultural sector, and urged the government to increase investment in agriculture to make it more attractive and reduce youth unemployment.
The colourful, well-attended, and carnival-like event was marked by a strong sense of community support and celebration, as it featured a variety of social activities, including cultural dances, a royal parade, masquerade displays, and more. The festival also included the presentation of prizes to winners of the pageantry, football competition, best farmer, palm wine tapper, and best dancers.
The ceremony had in attendance state exco members, traditional rulers, top government functionaries and tourist as well as captains of industries from and within Ogoja Local Government Area.
Deputy Governor’s Press Unit, Calabar.
