The paramount ruler of Yakurr LGA and the Obol Lopon of Ugep, Obol Ofem Ubana Eteng, has underscored the importance of the Leboku festival to his people.

He spoke in his palace when the Cross River State governor, Prince Bassey Otu, represented by his chief of staff, Emmanuel Ironbar, declared the commencement of the annual festival with a press conference.

“Leboku will continue. There is no year it will not hold. It is our major celebration. Even if you fix elections for August 20, we will still hold Leboku. For me not to celebrate Leboku, I had better die because Leboku is a period when people leave the hunger period for a period of plenty where foodstuffs are gotten,” the monarch declared.

Obol Eteng disclosed that Leboku, celebrated after four months of planting, has many benefits, which he enumerated to include the taking of new wives, the homecoming of community members in the diaspora, and the abundance of food in the area.

Speaking earlier, Governor Bassey Otu emphasised that his government will persist in promoting cultural values and tourism.

The governor explained that government will continue to invest widely and wisely in the promotion of local cultures to keep them on the world map.