Ukelle Nation Receives Warm Felicitations on 2025 Likpeh Cultural Festival Celebration

By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News

In a recent post shared by Ogar Monday Igiri, Hon. Grace Unah, Councilor representing Igede Ward in the Yala 6th Legislative Council, extended heartfelt felicitations to the people of Ukelle Nation as they marked the 2025 Likpeh Cultural Festival, popularly known as the New Yam Festival.

The lawmaker described the celebration as a “time-honoured tradition” that goes beyond marking the harvest season to reinforcing the cultural identity, communal unity, and ancestral heritage of the Ukelle people.

A Season of Gratitude and Renewal

In her message, Hon. Grace Unah expressed joy over the successful celebration of this year’s festival, noting that the occasion provided an opportunity for thanksgiving to God for a fruitful harvest and a time to pray for continued peace, prosperity, and development across Ukelle communities.

“This time-honoured celebration is more than a commemoration of a bountiful harvest; it’s a vibrant expression of our rich cultural heritage, communal unity, and the unwavering spirit that defines the people of Ukelle,” she stated.

The councilor further encouraged the people to remain committed to preserving their cultural values while embracing initiatives that foster socio-economic development in Yala Local Government Area and beyond.

Likpeh Festival: A Pillar of Ukelle Identity

Akahi News gathered that the Likpeh Festival, usually celebrated in September, is regarded as one of the most colourful cultural events in Cross River State. It marks the end of the farming season and the beginning of a new agricultural cycle, with yam—a sacred staple food—at the centre of the festivities.

The event brings together sons and daughters of Ukelle at home and abroad, political leaders, traditional rulers, and well-wishers from neighbouring communities. Cultural dances, masquerades, traditional music, and communal feasts highlight the celebration, strengthening social ties and showcasing the hospitality of the Ukelle people.

Calls for Unity and Progress

As the 2025 festival winds down, leaders across Yala have continued to emphasise the need for unity and collaboration towards community development. Hon. Grace Unah, in her closing remarks, prayed for lasting peace, economic opportunities, and cultural preservation, stressing that progress can only be achieved when the people stand together.

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