NORTHFEST COMPLETES TRIPOD OF CULTURAL/HARVEST FESTIVALS IN THE STATE By Kingsley Agim

The Cross River State Government’s adoption of the last Saturday, being 30th of September, 2017 for the celebration of New Yam Festival for the entire Northern Cross River, tagged ‘NorthFest’, completes a ‘tripod’ of harvest/cultural events in the State. Speaking to newsmen during a press briefing of the Central Planning Committee held recently at the Press Centre of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, the Chairman of the Committee, Chief Peter Ojie, disclosed that, as an initiative of the Governor, “NorthFest seeks, in essence, to complete the ‘tripod of festivals’ that are meant to enhance the cultural and tourism propensity of the State”. “The Northern part of the State is endowed. But much more so, the northern part of the State is one that is driven by an agrarian economy – agriculture is the mainstay. This festival is one that identifies the people of the north and showcases the beauty of our agricultural occupation as a people. It seeks to bring the agro-based culture of the people to the fore, and find the linkages that there are between that culture and the mainstay of the people”, Chief Ojie added. Chief Ojie stated that “beyond the celebration as a cultural/harvest festival, it is a celebration that looks to encourage, inspire and find relevance for a means of livelihood that the people have been used to, adding that the event will expose not just yam as the king of crops in the agrarian society of the northern part of the State, but will also display other crops. “If you follow the trend, especially the trend that has been the preoccupation of this administration, you would understand that agriculture ranks very high. That is why you see new revolutions taking place – in rice industry, maize industry, cocoa exploitation and several other crops. “Naturally, in the north part of the State, you will find that some of these crops are crops that have been there. I make bold to say that what you find nationally as rice that is produced in the neighbouring states is actually farmed and produced in Cross River State. So we have come home to ensure that those crops are produced in the State are showcased”, the Chairman revealed. Chief Ojie also disclosed that the State Government is poised to ensuring that finished products for some of these crops are done here in the State, which explains why there is a cocoa processing facility being developed in Ikom, just as a rice processing facility is being developed in Ogoja, stating that the State Government intends to commence production of ‘Ogoja Rice’ by December, 2017. “This cultural festival is seeking to ensure that not just yam is celebrated, but the fact that we have other crops that we need to give exposure to ensure that our people take keener interest in, grow beyond subsistent farming and get to levels where we could begin to farm to boost our economy and earn a lot more fromit”, Chief Ojie disclosed. The Chairman further hinted that the festival would feature Mr. & Miss NorthFest, Best Farmer of the Year, amongst others. He used the opportunity to invite the public to come and enjoy the rich and assorted cuisines that abound in the Northern Senatorial District. In her remarks, the Publicity and Branding Sub-Committee Chairman and Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Barr. (Mrs.) RoseMary Effiom Archibong said that Governor Ben Ayade is keen in moving Cross River State forward, ensuring that the State indeed becomes the Eldorado. Mrs. Archibong also restated Governor Ben Ayade-led administration’s resolve to unite the people of the State through our robust cultural endowments. The Information boss hailed Governor Ayade’s wisdom in adopting a festival each for the three Senatorial District of the State. “We all are familiar with the Leboku Festival, which is a factor for the Central Senatorial District. His Excellency Senator Ben Ayade has adopted ‘Utobo Obo’ as a factor for the South, and of course, for the North is the birthing of the Northern Senatorial District Unifying Festival called ‘NorthFest’. “Governor Ben Ayade believes in inclusivity, and so Cross Riverians in this Senatorial District would have a feel of governance, participating in that which the State is known for”, Mrs. Archibong concluded. NorthFest would be a week-long event which would climax with a grand finale on Saturday, 30th September, 2017, at the Ogoja Stadium.