By Shuaibu Zubair Tatu ,Birnin Kebbi
The Secretary to the Kebbi State government, Alhaji Babale Umar Yawuri said Rigata annual cultural festival would scheduled to hold from Thursday, Feb.20th to Saturday, Feb 22nd , 2020 at Yawuri town Kebbi state which would improve economic activities of the emirate and the state.
Babale who disclosed this in a press briefing in Brinin Kebbi on Friday ,” we are gathered here today on behalf of the good people of Yawuri emirate to brief the world on the forth coming Yawuri annual cultural festival Rigata 2020, scheduled to hold from Thursday, Feb 20th to Saturday, 22nd February 2020 at Yawuri town Kebbi state ”, said.
He explained that Yawuri is one of the four emirates in the present day Kebbi state and one of the ancient kingdoms in Hausa land. saying that the kingdom of Yowuri has a rich historical and cultural heritage which will enhance economic development in the emirate and Kebbi and Nigeria in general.
The SSG said the festival started about 200 years ago as a display of Naval strength of the Gungu people, (one of the ethic tribes of Yawuri), were Gungu warriors annually attack the most dangerous Hippopotamus in the areas of river Niger.
He further said ” one of the cardinal essence of giving the festival a boost by the state government is to have a multiple effect in booting tourism particular in Yowuri emirate and state
Babale added that Rigata festival went through a lot of transformation, that the major one has been the adoption of the festival by the government kebbi state as a cultural event which occurred during the reign of his Royal Highness Dr.Muhammad Zayyanu the present and 42nd emir of Yawuri.
He said the emirate is equally endowed with avoidant natural resources such as precious gold and farming, he therefore commended the state government and good people of Yawuri for sponsor the annual cultural festival in the emirate.
