The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mrs. RoseMary Archibong has called on Cross Riverians to maintain the unity and progress of the State amid its divergent peculiarities.
The Commissioner, who gave the charge when she was received as Special Guest by the Yala Progressive Union (YPU), Calabar Chapter, on the occasion of their New Yam Festival, penultimate Tuesday, also encouraged the people to take advantage of Governor Ben Ayade's agricultural revolution by leapfrogging from peasantry into commercial agriculture.
"I want to congratulate you that even though you were not able to travel to Yala, you have made this place your home. Because that is what Cross River State needs; we are home to ourselves and strangers. Whether you are in Calabar, Akpabuyo or Ikom, a Cross Riverian is Cross Riverian and we must remain united," Mrs. Archibong remarked.
Mrs. Archibong emphasized that the beauty of Cross River State is its unity in diversity, adding that the multiplicity of dialects, culture and traditions put the State in the pantheon of culturally-relevant States in the country.
The Information and Orientation Commissioner refuted the erroneous notion that such festivals were ungodly, pointing out its essence of gratitude to God for bountiful harvest, which according to her, is in line with biblical injunctions.
Mrs. Archibong also restated the commitment of the State Government in maintaining a pride of place for the agrarian areas of the Northern Senatorial District, by instituting a central festival tagged "NorthFest," aimed at celebrating and showcasing primarily the agro-based exploits of the people; with "Utomo Obong" in the South and "Leboku" in the Central parts of the State, completing a tripod of cultural festivals.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Calabar Branch of Yala Progressive Union (YPU), Comrade Bartholomew Adoga stated that the importance of the day to the Yala nation cannot be overemphasized, noting that it is specially set aside to thank God for the yields, with the chief crop – yam – highlighting the harvests.
Comrade Adoga used the occasion to call on Yala sons and daughters to show love to one another and live in peace and harmony with neighbours, adding that it by doing so, that society can thrive.
Also speaking, Mrs. Martina Essien, who described the Yala nation as "a unique part of the State," said the festival is one important aspect of the people, marked in thanksgiving to God for sufficiency of harvests.
She thanked God for another year of harvest and sustenance of the people, as well as prayed for more years of plenty.
Another illustrious son of Yala, Adah Benedict Okache, likened the Yam Festival to the Easter and Christmas in the Christian faith. Stressing the cultural significance of the festival, Adah Okache said the day marks the beginning of the harvest season, stating that though not in home soil, the Wogada Ebo Community deemed it necessary to celebrate in Calabar.
Adah Okache felicitated with sons and of the Yala nation at home and in the diaspora, urging them to celebrate in the spirit the festival, by eating local cuisines akin to the Yala people.
The festival which is marked every 30th of August was celebrated this year in Calabar by the YPU – Calabar Branch and their well-wishers with pomp and flurry, with an array of sumptuous local cuisines and delicacies enjoyed by all who attended.
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