Imoke Promises Bigger Rewards

…As MTN-sponsored festival ends

Leboku International Cultural Festival 2008 in Ugep, capital of Yakurr Local Government Area, Cross River State, which was sponsored by MTN Nigeria, came to a close recently  with spectacular display of the people's rich cultural heritage.
The month-long cultural extravaganza which is also known as Ugep International New Yam Festival, featured several activities that are cherished by the people such as community football competition, male and female wrestling, beauty contest, musical concert, best farmer's competition and the others.
It witnessed a large turnout of dignitaries including the Governor of Cross River State, Senator Liyel Imoke, who was accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Obioma. The deputy governor and other government functionaries, National and State Assembly members, tourists, the young and the old who thronged the Ugep Peace Stadium to be part of this year's celebrations.
High points of the grand finale include the presentation of prizes to winners of the various competitions during the festivities. The star prize was a brand new Skoda Fabia car which was won by Miss Leboku 2008.
Other prizes include brand new motorcycles (Okada), generating sets, barbing, beauty saloon and fashion design equipment.
In an address on the occasion, the governor stated that the 2009 edition was going to be bigger as more mouth-watering prizes were going to be introduced. He stated that unlike this year's edition where only Miss Leboku won a brand new car, “next year, the winner of Mr. Leboku competition will also get a brand new car, while the person adjudged the best farmer would ride home in a brand new car.”
According to him, the government's gesture was meant to encourage youths of the state to engage in productive activities and for both the old and the young to get more interested in agriculture to produce more food for the state and the country at large.  
He thanked the major sponsors of this year's event, MTN Nigeria for coming to partner with the government and people of Cross River State in their bid to grow the annual event, while calling on other corporate entities to come and be part of the growing success of the festival.
In an earlier address, Regional Marketing Manager, South South for MTN, Mr. Kelechukwu Okonkwo expressed the excitement of his company to be associated with the success story of Leboku International Cultural Festival.  
According to him, “MTN is a passionate company and we always associate with what moves the people, their passion. That is why we are here today. Leboku Festival is a worthy venture. We commend the Cross River State government and the Yakurr people for preserving this cultural icon. We are proud to be identified with it and we are ready to support it all the way.”
Traditionally, Leboku Festival meant to celebrate the new yam which usually becomes ready for harvest about five months after planting, it is a symbolic celebration of regeneration by the Yakurr people. Among them, Leboku is a ceremony full of pomp, pageantry and razzmatazz.