Chief of Staff, Hon. Emmanuel Ironbar, Joins Yakurr Nation to Celebrates 2025 Leboku Festival in Abuja

Ukorebi Esien | September 1, 2025

ABUJA — The Chief of Staff to the Governor of Cross River State and Otu Kinwang I of Boki Nation, Hon. Chief Dr. Emmanuel Ironbar, was among the dignitaries who joined Cross Riverians in Abuja over the weekend to mark the 2025 Leboku New Yam Festival.

This year's celebration, themed "Kedei Sana Leboku Jana" — Unity and Expansion of Our Cultural Heritage, was held at the Bolton White Event Center, Wuse Zone 7, drawing together a cross-section of cultural enthusiasts, traditional leaders, and friends of the state.

For many in attendance, the festival was not only an opportunity to celebrate the new yam but also to reconnect with the traditions that continue to define Cross River's cultural identity.

Dr. Ironbar, who doubles as Chief of Staff to Governor Bassey Otu and a traditional titleholder, said his participation was a reaffirmation of government's commitment to preserving cultural values while fostering unity among Cross Riverians, particularly those in the diaspora.

"Leboku is more than a festival; it is a unifying symbol that binds us together as a people no matter where we find ourselves," he said, stressing the role of cultural events in strengthening community ties and projecting Cross River's heritage on a national stage.

The Leboku Festival, rooted in Ugep, Yakurr Local Government Area, has grown into one of Nigeria's most recognized cultural events. Its staging in Abuja reflects both the adaptability of tradition and the desire of Cross Riverians outside the state to sustain their heritage.

Observers note that the presence of top government officials like Dr. Ironbar at the Abuja edition adds weight to ongoing efforts to use culture as a tool for unity, identity preservation, and tourism promotion.