The Cross River State Government, through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, has taken steps to further advance the Mbube New Yam Festival, locally known as Bitchong–Ifife, by identifying new tourist sites and attractions within the community.

Mbube, an agrarian community and one of the three original clans that make up Ogoja Local Government Area, is blessed with fertile soil that supports the cultivation of tropical crops such as yam, water yam, groundnut, and okro, alongside cash crops including rubber, cocoa, banana, kola nut, palm produce, and plantain.

One of Mbube’s most cherished traditions is the Bitchong–Ifife—an annual cultural New Yam Festival that unites the community’s thirteen villages. It has become a major cultural showcase, featuring traditional dances, competitions, and displays of the people’s rich heritage.

The recently held 11th edition of the festival featured side attractions, including a beauty pageant (Miss Bitchong–Ifife). Contestant Number Three emerged winner after a keenly contested competition involving seven participants.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Pastor (Mrs.) Eme Affiah, led a delegation of management staff to grace the event, beginning with the pageant. Earlier, the team paid homage to HRM Oti Mathias Odey Abua, Paramount Ruler of Ogoja and Chairman of the Ogoja Traditional Rulers Council, before proceeding to inspect newly identified tourist attractions.

Among the highlighted sites are the confluence of the Redomi and Rebikim Rivers, as well as the Ojerim Hanging Bridge, which connects farmlands and settlements in the Ijirim community.

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