The Central Planning Committee (CPC) for the 2026 Yala New Yam Festival has commenced a series of consultation visits to prominent sons and daughters of Yala in the diaspora as part of preparations for this year’s cultural celebration.

Led by its Chairman and former Chairman of Yala Local Government Area, Hon. Mike Usibe, the committee paid a courtesy visit to Prince Akwaji Offiono (aka Akwase) at his Abuja residence, to formally intimate him of the forthcoming festival and brief him on the line-up of activities designed to promote unity, cultural heritage and community development across Yala Local Government Area.

During the visit, the committee disclosed that this year’s festival will feature a Unity Football Tournament involving all 14 wards of Yala Local Government Area. The tournament will culminate in a grand finale on 30 August 2026 at Christ the King Primary School, Okpoma, the main venue for the festival.

Other key activities outlined include the ceremonial planting of an apple tree, a comprehensive medical outreach across the 14 wards, and the enrolment of 100 vulnerable patients into the Cross River State Health Insurance Scheme to enable them to receive continued medical care sponsored by the Ogar Okrache Save Alive Foundation. The committee also announced that the foundation stone for the construction of the first classroom block of a secondary school in Itega-Ekpudu will be laid during the festival.

The committee noted that the theme for the 2026 edition is “Unity in Diversity,” reflecting the organisers’ commitment to fostering peace, harmony and collective progress among the people of Yala.

It was further revealed that the Unity Football Tournament will officially kick off on Saturday, 8 August 2026, with members of the Central Planning Committee, officials of Yala Local Government Council and other distinguished guests expected to attend the opening ceremony.

The 2026 Yala New Yam Festival is being organised by Yala Local Government Council and the Traditional Rulers Council in collaboration with the Ogar Okrache Save Alive Foundation.

Members of the Central Planning Committee who accompanied Hon. Usibe on the consultation visit included Dr Christopher Ogar, President of the Ogar Okrache Save Alive Foundation; Barr. Roland Ipuole; Sir Johnny Odo, Secretary of the CPC; Hon. Eddie Achi; Barr. Ogar Wodah; Sir Francis Peters; Dominic Ogbeche (JackSolo); Joseph Odey (BobT); and Ebriku John Friday, JP.

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