The Paramount Ruler of Ikom Local Government Area of Cross River State, Minen Takon Atangba Nkpa, has called for the centralisation of the annual New Yam Festival across the area, saying a unified celebration could attract investment, tourism and development.
The monarch made the call while speaking with the Nigerian Tribune after the conclusion of the Ekpache Nkome New Yam Festival held at the Ikom Stadium.
Nkpa described the New Yam Festival as an important part of Ikom’s cultural identity and economic life, arguing that bringing the various celebrations together would provide a stronger platform to showcase the area’s agricultural and cultural potential to investors and development partners.
He expressed concern that communities and units in Ikom currently celebrate their New Yam festivals on different dates and in different formats, saying the fragmented approach reduces the collective economic impact of the celebrations.
“When we celebrate in fragments, our impact is scattered,” the monarch said.
According to him, a unified festival would enable government, investors and development partners to see Ikom as a united investment and tourism destination rather than a collection of separate communities.
The traditional ruler pointed to Yakurr’s annual Leboku festival as an example of how a centralised cultural celebration can grow beyond a traditional event and become a major tourism and development attraction.
He proposed that communities across Ikom harmonise their festival dates around a central date or week and establish a planning committee made up of representatives of the various clans and communities.
The committee, he said, could coordinate with government agencies, corporate organisations and potential sponsors to give the festival a stronger economic and tourism outlook.
Nkpa also called for Ikom’s cultural heritage, cuisine, music, dances and agricultural produce to be strategically packaged as part of the festival’s attractions.
He expressed optimism that a unified New Yam Festival could draw greater government and private-sector attention to Ikom and stimulate investment in infrastructure, markets, tourism and other sectors.
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