Sen. Prof. Stephen Odey, Esq., alongside key stakeholders of Yala Nation, received His Excellency, Governor Bassey Otu at the Yala New Yam Festival on August 30, 2026, where he was honoured with the prestigious traditional title of Ikporikpotu I of Yala (The Heart of Yala) by the Paramount Ruler and the Yala Traditional Rulers Council in recognition of His Excellency’s leadership and contributions to the state’s development.