By Nakanda Iyadim
UGEP (CONVERSEER) – In a dazzling display of beauty and talent, 27-year-old Kebe Eni, a prominent frontline girl of the Diamond Carnival Band, has been crowned Miss Leboku at the 2025 International New Yam Festival Beauty Pageant.
Kebe’s crowning marks a significant achievement, as she triumphed in the pageant alongside Ephraim Okoi Arikpo, who emerged as Mr Leboku. Both are set to serve as ambassadors for the prestigious festival for the next year.
The highly competitive event also saw Ofem Emori and Ewa Marvellous Augustine recognised as the first and second runners-up in the male category. At the same time, Enor-Abasi Ubi and Patience Martins earned the same honours in the female category.
The winners were given Toyota Yaris cars and other consolidated prizes.
Recall that both Kebe Eni and Ephraim Okoi Arikpo were first runners-up in the 2024 edition of the pageant, showcasing their resilience and dedication to the title.
The grand finale of the festival, which promises to be a spectacular showcase of cultural heritage, took place in Ugep on Friday, 22nd August 2025.
The Leboku International New Yam Festival, organised by the Cross River State Government, is a vibrant three-week celebration held annually in Ugep, Yakurr Local Government Area.
The event is believed to honour the earth goddess and ancestral spirits for a bountiful yam harvest and serves as a platform for cultural and social engagement.
Past festivals have captivated audiences with traditional dances, maidens’ parades, beauty contests, and wrestling, serving as rites of passage for the youth, while positioning Cross River as a notable destination for cultural tourism, attracting visitors from around the globe.
