Otu warns traditional rulers over peace, investment
Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has warned traditional rulers against allowing conflicts to destabilise their domains, saying peace is essential to the state’s agricultural, tourism and investment ambitions.
Otu, represented by his Deputy, Peter Odey, gave the warning at the 21st Leboku International New Yam Festival at Yakurr Peace Stadium, Ugep, on August 24, 2026.
*Odey,
Ekemini Bassey, Calabar
Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has warned traditional rulers against allowing conflicts to destabilise their domains, saying peace is essential to the state’s agricultural, tourism and investment ambitions.
Otu, represented by his Deputy, Peter Odey, gave the warning at the 21st Leboku International New Yam Festival at Yakurr Peace Stadium, Ugep, on August 24, 2026.
The Governor said his administration remained committed to sustainable economic growth through its Green Economy Revolution, with agriculture serving as a major pillar of the People First Agenda.
Odey said the festival’s theme, “Rooted in Culture, Growing in Prosperity”, aligned with the administration’s efforts to transform agriculture and create sustainable wealth for smallholder farmers.
He said the government had established smallholder cluster farms supported by revolving loans and was providing tractors, ploughing machines and other equipment to help farmers move from subsistence production to commercial agriculture.
According to him, improved mechanisation and access to markets would raise agricultural productivity and farmers’ incomes while strengthening the sector’s contribution to the state economy.
Odey also disclosed that the administration had unveiled a public-private partnership investment package worth ₦70 billion and $1.075 billion, with agriculture receiving the largest share.
Turning to traditional institutions, the Deputy Governor reminded village heads, clan heads and paramount rulers that they were responsible for preserving the customs and traditions of their people and maintaining peace in their domains.
He warned that the state government could withdraw the Certificate of Recognition of any traditional ruler whose domain became engulfed in persistent violence or disorder.
Odey said tourism and economic development could not flourish in a volatile environment, urging traditional rulers, community leaders and residents of Yakurr to embrace dialogue and peaceful resolution of disputes.
He said sustained peace would preserve the cultural importance of Leboku while creating opportunities for agriculture, tourism, investment and the creative economy.
Earlier, the Chairman of Yakurr Local Government Council, Obol Yibala Inyang, commended the Local Organising Committee and traditional rulers for sustaining the Leboku festival and preserving its cultural significance.
Inyang urged young people to embrace farming as a viable business and called on stakeholders to build a more united Yakurr founded on peace, culture and shared prosperity.
The Special Adviser on Events Management in the Governor’s Office, Effiong Ekpenyong, described the festival as a celebration of Yakurr’s heritage, identity and aspirations for prosperity.
He said the festival demonstrated how culture could become a catalyst for tourism, enterprise and economic development, urging the younger generation to take ownership of Yakurr’s traditions, arts and creativity.
The festival featured cultural parades by maidens, traditional rulers and cultural groups, as well as visits to the festival market, yam barn and Leboku Art Exhibition. The event featured goodwill messages from HRM Obol Ofem Ubana, Obol Lopon of Ugep and Paramount Ruler of Yakurr Local Government Area; Chief Obi Ayuk, Commissioner for Culture, Arts and Tourism; as well as inspections of the festival market, yam barn and Leboku Art Exhibition.
Colourful parades by maidens, traditional rulers and cultural groups added vibrancy to the celebrations.
