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 23-year-old Ephraim Okoi Arikpo, who received the title of 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 Marvelous Augustine recognized as the first and second runners-up in the male category, while Enor-Abasi Ubi and Patience Martins earned the same honors in the female category.
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, will take place in Ugep on Friday, August 22, 2025.
The Leboku International New Yam Festival, organized by the Cross River State, is a vibrant three-week celebration held annually in Ugep by the people of Yakurr Local Government Area.
This culturally significant event honors 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 parade, 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.
