Another tourist center has been discovered in Cross-river State. This will hopefully cause people from all walks of life to go there in amass.
Obol Ofem Ubana Eteng, the Obol Opol of Ugepa and paramount ruler of Yakurr, annouced that a hunter in Cross-River has discovered a hot-cold-water stream in Ugep as the newest tourist site in the State.
This came as the state government said it had created three new agro-cultural festivals in each of the senatorial districts to ensure peace and unity among the various communities to boost tourism.
Mr Kenneth Aklah, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Events Management, disclosed this in Ugep, on Wednesday at a press briefing on the activities to mark the opening of Leboku New Yam festival.
Before now, many Nigerians knew only Ikogosi stream in Ekiti as flowing with cold and hot water at the same time.
Obol Opol of Ugep, said the new tourist site was discovered recently by a hunter who alerted the people of Ugep, noting that with the discovery, Ugep had added another tourism site to the festival which, he said, had grown in the last ten years since its sponsorship by MTN Nigeria.
He said,
“The administration of Prof. Ben Ayade is very passionate about New Yam festivals and other important cultural festivals that showcase the great cultural heritage of our people.
He assured both visitors and tourists of this year’s festival of the security of lives and properties during and after the annual event, the revered monarch said the recent crisis that erupted in the area as a result of activities of cultists had been brought under control.
According to him “
“We are aware that these cultural festivals have over time served as rallying points for peaceful co-existence among various indigenous people and communities in Cross River.
“Therefore, in the attempt to preserve this very important part of our existence, the government has created three new festivals to be celebrated by each of the three senatorial zones beginning from 2017, Leboku International New Yam Festival, Ugep 2017.
The special adviser added that the state government was committed to ensuring the expansion and upgrading of the festivals to meet international standard and attract more tourists to the state.
He said Cross River has the richest diverse cultural heritage in Nigeria, adding that the government was ready to blend culture with the agricultural potential of the people for agro-tourism.
Meanwhile, the state governor, Prof. Ben Ayade has promised to make this year’s Leboku festival a memorable one, saying government was planning a cultural exchange with Finland.
Also speaking, the representative of MTN Nigeria, Mr. Chibuzo Aguche, said that this year’s celebration would attract better offers including free digital e-credit sale to 10 people.
“Since the past 10 years that we have been in this partnership, we have tried to improve the festival and bring it to international standard. MTN Nigeria is assuring the people of Ugep and Cross River of our continued participation and partnership,” he said.
