Gov Otu Joins Igbos In CRS To Celebrate New Yam Festival Oct 14
BY UBON EKANEM, CALABAR – It will be a celebration of good gesture, peace and harmony on October 14 with the Cross River Governor Bassey Otu leading a long list of dignitaries as Special Guest of Honour when the Igbo community in the State officially mark their 2023 new yam festival.
Also expected to grace the annual event holding in Calabar, the state capital, are the Minister of Sports, Senator John Owan Enoh, and his Humanitarian Affairs Ministry counterpart, Dr Betta Edu.
According to the programme released by the Local Organizing Committee (LOC), the Ndi-Igbo are expected to troop out in their different traditional attires to make the day grandiose and most memorable.
Highlights of activities lined up as part of the Festivities is the beating of the traditional drum by Governor Otu to mark the formal commencement of the eating of new yam by Ndi-Igbo residing in Cross River state.
The LOC also explained that the occasion would present an atmosphere of camaraderie for the Igbo community to engage and appreciate their hosts in the spirit of good neighbourliness.
Among other dignitaries expected include the Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi IV and the Chairman of the State Traditional Rulers Council, Eyinyin Dr Etim Okon Edet, who would serve as Royal Fathers of the day.
A member of the Festival’s LOC, Chief Livinus Iwuala, told Forefront News that a novelty football match has been packaged to herald the official commencement of the ceremony, while a Thanksgiving Mass holds at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Egerton Street, on October 15, 2023 to round off the entire celebration.
Chief Iwuala also explained that apart from providing an opportunity for Ndi-Igbo to participate in the formal eating of new yam, the Festival would equally present a platform for interaction among various age grades; and create room for familiarisation as well as open up new opportunities for the conceptualization and promotion of business relationships among individuals and groups.
The occasion will take place at the State Housing Estate, Calabar, the traditional home of the Eze Igbo in Cross River, Sir Emmanuel A Ezenwenyi, who holds the Efik highest traditional title of ‘Ada Idaha ke Efik Eburutu’.
