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By Ibrahim Bello
Gov. Nasir Idris of Kebbi says his administration has attracted over N330 billion overseas funding as a part of the dedication to develop tourism and cultural heritage within the state.
Idris said this on the 2025 Rigata Annual Cultural Festival in Yauri Local Government Area.
“Our dedication to preserving the cultural heritage is commendable, because the Rigata competition isn’t just a celebration, it’s a testomony to our attain historical past, vibrant tradition, unity of our folks.
“This competition showcases the fantastic thing about our custom, the energy of our neighborhood and the spirit of our resilience.
“It is an opportunity for us to come together, to create our achievement and to recollect our shared values,” he mentioned.
According to him, the competition additionally performs an important function in selling tourism and financial improvement in Kebbi, attracting guests from far and close to.
“We have created alternatives for native companies, artisans, and entrepreneurs.
“Our recent visit to China, with a view to attracting foreign investors, resulted in a signing of agreement with refutable investors worth $200 million US dollars, which is equivalent to N330 billion,” he mentioned.
On safety, Idris mentioned that there was a exceptional departure from the safety scenario in Yauri by concerted efforts of the state authorities, saying that farmers had returned to their farms within the space.
“Within 15 months of this administration, we have reconstructed and rehabilitated Yauri township roads, constructed mega school, rehabilitated Yauri emirate’s palace, installed solar powered-street lights, rehabilitated many Mosques and provided agricultural inputs for free, among others,” he mentioned.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Occasion, Dr Yusuf Sununu, who can also be the Minister for State, Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, mentioned that it was a part of the President Bola Tinubu’s coverage thrust to utilise cultural diversities to spice up the economic system within the nation.
“Rigata is a Yauri cultural heritage, which has goal of residing a legacy for future generations.
“The festival has earned international recognition; the presence of tourists in the festival signifies that peace has returned to Kebbi,” he mentioned.
On the temporary historical past of the competition, Sununu mentioned that the competition concerned riverine maneuvers, together with water sports activities and leisure which started 200 years in the past.
“As a show of naval energy of Gungu folks, the place Gungu warriors attacked essentially the most harmful hippopotamus on the River Niger.
“Warriors used to board canoes of various sizes with varied weapons to assault the wild marine mammal.
“The water manoeuvres also served as a training exercise for upcoming Gungu warriors,” he mentioned.
Sununu recalled that the arrival of Europeans led the colonial authorities to ban hippopotamus looking to protect the specie.
“Afterwards, Rigata grew to become a prestigious show of wealth, energy and affect throughout marriage ceremony ceremonies of extremely positioned households.
“The trend prevailed until the visit of the late Premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardaunan Sokoto, to Yelwan-Yauri during which Rigata alongside agricultural show were organised to honour the premier,” the minister narrated.
Earlier, in line with the Chairman, National Organising Committee, Alhaji Yakubu Bala-Tafida: “the festival is a significant milestone to celebrate and present our cultural festival.”
He added that the competition was greater than a celebration of tradition however a sworn statement to preserving custom.
“The festival has shown all of us that the security in the emirate is revived as farmers, who hitherto were not able to farm for security reasons, are now massively farming their farmlands because of the improved security in the emirate,” he mentioned.
The chairman, who’s the Secretary to Kebbi Government (SSG), counseled the super efforts of the Emir and council for the relentless effort in placing collectively the previous and current historical past of Yauri Kingdom by way of Rigata competition.
Also talking, the Emir of Yauri, Dr Muhammad Zayyanu-Abdullahi, thanked Gov. Idris for his unwavering help and infrastructural improvement within the emirate in addition to all those that participated within the occasion.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) experiences that among the many dignitaries who attended the occasion included: Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Atiku Bagudu, former Gov. Sa’idu Dakingari, Sen. Adamu Aleiro (PDP Kebbi Central), Sen. Lawal Maidokoli (PDP Kebbi South), Sen. Bala Ibn-Na-Allah, quick previous Senator representing Kebbi South, amongst others. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Nkiru Ifeajuna/Muhammad Lawal