By El-Yakub Dabai, Birnin Kebbi
The National Chairman of the Yauri annual cultural festival, the Secretary to the State Government, Yakubu Bala Tafida, at a news briefing in Birnin Kebbi, says the event would hold next week during which the festival would feature book launch on the history of Yauri from 1411 to date, trade fair exhibition, agricultural show, cultural performance and the grand finale, Rigata.
“This is the third edition of the event in recent times. The word Rigata is marine warfare in the language of the locals. The Festival involves riverine maneuvers including water sports and entertainment which began 200 years ago as a display of naval strength of Gungu people where the warriors attack the most dangerous hippopotamus in River Niger”. He explained
He went further to say “The reinvigoration of Rigata and its adoption by Kebbi State Government as our prestigious cultural event was facilitated by the present 42nd Emir of Yauri, Dr. Muhammad Zayyanu Abdullahi”.
Tafida noted that culture amongst ethnic groups of Nigeria if harnessed well could be a binding force for socioeconomic growth in the country, recalling that during the visit of the late Premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardaunan Sokoto, to Yelwa Yauri Rigata alongside Agricultural show were organised to honour the Premier.
The National Chairman of the Festival noted that Nigeria was going through trying times economically as such there was the need to diversify sources of revenues by promoting sociocultural activities nationwide besides making the upcoming generation know their roots and identity.
The Rigata festival expected to hold between the 8th and 10th of February would be facilitated by Kebbi State Government with the hope of receiving guests from within and outside the country.
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