New Yam Festival : Yakurrs HostAmaechi

Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has once more exhibited his uncommon humanistic character by identifying with the ordinary people in society.

Governor Amaechi who was on his way to Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross Rivers State for the grand finale of the Leboku New Yam Festival 2009, Saturday stopped his convoy, to help out an elderly man who was stranded, and was standing beside his broken-down vehicle near Kira market in Tai Local Government Area.

The Governor who spoke with the elderly man on the possible faults on his car, also directed his personnel to attend to him and see him through his ordeal.

On sighting the stationed governor’s convoy, women at the market came out in their numbers to hail the State’s Chief Executive who waved and shook hands with some of them.

Following a request by the market women that the Kira market be reconstructed, the Governor promised that he would dialogue with the chairman of Tai Local Government council, Bon. Barry Mpigi to consider upgrading the market to a modern one.

At the Leboku new yam festival in Cross Rivers State, where he was the Special Guest of Honour, Governor Amaechi performed the presentation of one of the star prizes of a brand new Toyota Saloon car to the overall winner of the Mr. Leboku 2009 contest.

Speaking on the occasion, the Governor of Cross Rivers State, Senator Liyel Imoke said that the Leboku new yam festival was a celebration of the richness and gaiety of nature’s abundance to the Yakurr people and noted that this year’s celebration was better than that of last year.

Senator Imoke, however, promised that the Cross Rivers State Government would continue to support the yearly event and partner with the Yakurr people to fine-tune it to receive the status recognition it deserves.

Governor Imoke thanked all the dignitaries and all persons that graced the occasion especially his Rivers State counterpart, Chibuike Amaechi whom he described as a special brother for taking the pains to attend the festival.