By El-Yakub Dabai, Birnin Kebbi
A Sudanese-bred horse, nicknamed Milatao, owned by Aliyu Arzika Bauchi, outran 13 other horses to clinch the first position at the grand finale of the maiden edition of the Annual Gwandu Horse Racing and Cultural Festival in Birnin Kebbi on Saturday.
The horse won the Vice President Kashim Shettima’s Cup and carted away the grand prize of a motor car plus fifty thousand naira cash for fueling the vehicle.
In a different race, Kano bred horse, nicknamed “Prince” won Kebbi Governor, Kauran Gwandu’s Cup, while another horse, “Gamzaki”, from the Governor’s stable won, Sokoto Governor, Ahmed Aliyu’s Cup while the Sultan’s Cup was won by a horse nicknamed “Sakatariya” as well as the Speaker, House of Representatives’ Cup.
The Classic Cup of Mallam ABDULLAHI Gwandu, was similarly competed for and won, with cash price of One Million Naira going to second position while Seven Hundred Thousand and Five Hundred Thousand Naira went to the third and fourth position respectively.
The Emir of Gwandu, initiator of the Annual Gwandu Horse Racing and Cultural Festival, Muhammad Iliyasu Bashar, expressed appreciation to Governor Nasir Idris for providing the wherewithal for the success of the festival, the first of its kind.
“I am also extending gratefulness to the Governor of Sokoto State, the Sultan of Sokoto, the Etsu Nupe and other traditional rulers nationwide for their physical presence and contribution to the glamour of the event”, the Monarch said.
In separate remarks, Kebbi Governor, Nasir Idris, Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, and the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, emphasised the importance of using traditional values for unity, social cohesion and interaction, economic prosperity and peaceful coexistence in a brotherly society.
“In recognition of the immense benefits of this cultural event, the festival has come to stay, my administration will sustain necessary support for the staging of the festival, annually”, Governor Nasir remarked.
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