From Shuaibu Zubair Tatu ,Birnin Kebbi
The Speaker of the House of the Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila has urged Nigerians to respect each other’s cultural heritage to promote peace and unity in the country.
Gbajabiamila disclosed this at the Yauri Rigata Cultural Festival held in Yauri Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
“Let us respect each other’s cultural heritage to promote peace and unity because I begin to understand and realise that Nigeria is created by Almighty Allah for great purposes. For being present in this occasion I have seen two events of water sports like boat racing and calabash swimming which is a very good cultural heritage.”
He stated that Yauri Rigata cultural Festival has the potential of producing Olympic gold medalists for the country which the federal government will promote.
The speaker said ‘ “Nigeria is a great country blessed with abundance of cultural diversity that exists within our borders, from the North to the South and from the East to the West are people of history and memory, this can manifest to development and unity in the country.”
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the Federal Government is committed to protecting and promoting the cultural heritage of Nigerians
The minister commended the effort of Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu for promoting cultural activities in the state, saying that the Federal Government would continue to promote cultural heritage in the country.
According to him ‘ “I have heard about the Rigata cultural festival in Yauri, but I have never been able to attend any one; I want to seize this opportunity to express my appreciation to the Governor of Kebbi, Atiku Bagudu, who facilitated our coming here today.
“I have heard the story of this magnificent event, today I confirm the magnificent. I am glad to attend this great occasion in Kebbi State. From today I become a marketer of Yauri better festival. I learnt at this festival how Yauri people protect and guard their bride,” he said.
He further said that Yauri is a home of peace and which accommodates different ethnic groups in Nigeria.
Earlier, the Kebbi State Governor, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu said his administration would elevate the Yauri annual Rigata cultural festival from local to international standard which would improve the state economy.
Bagudu said “the state government supported the Rigata festival to the fullest and we assure you that we continue to support it until it becomes an international event which will attract local and foreign tourists in the world.”
He further commended the traditional rulers for protecting our cultural diversity saying that Kebbi state is rich and blessed with cultural heritage.
