Yakurr

Yakurr Local Government was created out of Obubra Local Government in 1987. It is located in the Central Senatorial District of Cross River State. The headquarter is Ugep which has its boundary with Abi, Obubra, Biase and Akamkpa Local Government Areas. It comprises of 13 wards and is inhabited by the people of Agoi, Ibami Assign, Mkpani, Ekon, Nko Ugep and Idomi. The dominant language is Yakurr. The people of Yakurr Local Government Area are largely farmers and celebrate new yam festival. The most pronounced festival in Yakurr is “Leboku” the projected population of Yakurr is about 140,000.

Geography

Yakurr Local Government Area is bounded by Abi to the west, Obubra to the North, Biase in the South and Akamkpa Local Government Areas to the East

HISTORY 
Yakurr Local Government was created out of Obubra Local Government in 1987.

Local Government Wards

There are thirteen wards in the local government area. The wards are:

PEOPLE AND LANGUAGE

It consists of many tribal units, including Ishibori (this village has different clans such as Uhmuria, Ikaptang, Ikajor, Ishinyema, Ikariku, Imerakorm) and Igoli as the central town. Mbube, being one of the major tribes, comprises different villages, including: Odajie, Adagum, Ekumtak, Idum, Ojerim, Egbe, Nkim, Ogberia Ogang & Ogberia Ochoro, Oboso, Benkpe, Edide, Bansan, Aragban, etc. Their major source of livelihood is subsistence agriculture, basically farming of cassava, yams, palm oil, palm wine etc. Ekajuk, is one of the major clan in Ogoja Local government area. Divided into Ward I and Ward II, and includes major communities such as Nwang, Ekpogrinya, Esham, Egbong, Nnang, Ewinimba and Bansara (which are collection of a group of villages.)

TRADITIONAL AUTHORITY SYSTEM

The traditional Rulers Council of the LGA is headed by the Paramount Ruler. The stool of the Paramount Ruler is the highest stool of traditional authority in the Local Government Council and the current holder of the office in Yakurr LGA is addressed as His Royal Highness Obol 

CULTURE AND TRADITION
The Yakurr people have the same traditional attire with the Igbos, both their men and women tie wrapper as the most popular dressing.

FESTIVALS
“Leoboku” – The most popular festival in Yakurr.
“Obon” – It is a traditional dance which men are initiated into at a particular age.
“Ebilarbin” – Traditional dance which identifies somebody as a man in a community.
“Ekelebi” – A dance strictly for women after that women might have attained certain age.
“Oban” – War dance

MAJOR MARKET DAYS

Ekori     –     After every four days
Ugep     –     After every two days
Nkpani   –     After every three days

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
It has a popular Cave in Ekori, which can carry the whole village. The cave located between Nkpani and Ekori is like a hide out during was period.
Kosanmah River: It is blue in colour though not drinkable. Nobody fishes there and only a particular family sacrifices there once in a while.

AGRICULTURE PRODUCTS
Yakurr Local Government Area produces Yam, Cocoyam Cassava, Plantain, Okro, Beans, Maize and Pumpkin. Other cash crops available in the area are oil palm, cocoa, cashew and rubber.

MINERALS
There are quite a number of natural resources that are abound in Yakurr namely kaolin, sand glass and quartzite, dried coffee kolanut (Natural honey).

INVESTMENT POTENTIALS

EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

PAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT CHAIRMEN