From ShuaibuZubairTatu, BirninKebbi
The Secretary to the Kebbi State Government (SSG) ,AlhajiBabale Umar Yawuri, has said that the Rigata Annual Cultural Festival scheduled to hold between Thursday, February 20 to Saturday, February 22 at Yawuri Town, would improve economic activities of the Emirate and the state.
Babale who disclosed this at a press briefing recently stated that efforts are in top gear to ensure it went on seamlessly.
He stated that already, the state government is paetnwring with interest groups to attract both local and foreign investors to participate at the event and set up industries which will not only improve the economy of the Emirate and the state, but would serve as veritable job-creation platforms.
He explained that Yawuri being one of the four emirates in Kebbi state and one of the ancient kingdoms in Hausa land, has a rich historical and cultural heritage which will enhance economic development in the Emirate, Kebbi State and Nigeria in general.
The SSG said the festival debuted about 200 years ago as a display of Naval strength of the Gungu people, (one of the tribes in Yawuri), during which Gungu warriors engage in war with the most dangerous sea animal, the Hippopotamus, found in abundance the parts of the River Niger.
He further said ” one of the cardinal essence of giving the festival a boost by the state government is to generate the multiplier effects of booting tourism particularly in the Yowuri Emirate.
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 of Kebbi State as a major 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 abundant natural resources such as precious stones, complimented with farming and therefore, commended the state government and the good people of Yawuri for sponsoring the annual cultural festival.
