From Shuaibu Zubair Tatu, Birnin Kebbi
The former Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff and Minister of Defense, Lt. Gen. Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma (rtd) has urged government to promote Uhola federal to international standard.
Danjuma, stated this while speaking at the closing ceremony of 2024 Uhola cultural festival held at Zuru town, Kebbi state.
”I urged government to promote Uhola festival to international standard because Uhola festival has brought unity and development in the State, where cultural festival offers an opportunity for many tribes in Zuru to display their cultures.
He noted that Uhola cultural festival, a cherish tradition among the people of the Zuru emirate which are usually celebrated to give thank to God over bounty harvest and protections against evil forces, poor harvest and catastrophes, has given an opportunity for sons and daughters of the area to bring friends, lovers back home to unite with their people.
“As we can see today, we have gathered from different parts of the country to celebrate the Uhola of Zuru emirate. Uhola cultural festival offers an opportunity for many tribes in Zuru to display their cultures such as Corn dance, yam dance and many others. The endorsement of the cultural festival by the National Tourism Commission will also pave way for many opportunities”. He said
The Former Minister of Defense, who was the Chairman of the occasion, noted that, without peace in the state, there would not be meaningful development.
Danjuma, who was represented by Dr, Bitrus Bagu said: “ before I stopped, we need to know that we are here because there is peace and tranquility in the state. Without peace, we can’t be here.
“In the Zuru Emirate, we have many retire Generals and serving Generals and so many serving and retired Para-Military officers. It is high time that all of you should unite just like your forefathers so that there will be peaceful coexistence in Kebbi state. Because,without peace and tranquility, nothing can happen. Uhola cultural festival can only happen in the atmosphere of peace and tranquility”.
Danjuma who commended the Federal Government for adopting the festival into national tourism events in the Country, noted that through budgeting and funding the festival, more opportunities would spring up in Zuru emirate.
The Chairman of the Main Committee on Uhola festival, Lt. Gen. Ishaya Rici Bamaiyi who commended the state Government and Emir Zuru for the successful hosting of the festival, urged the state government to promote the festival to international standard.
He also pleaded to the state government to rehabilitate and reconstruct the Koko-Zuru road to enhance agriculture development of the state.
The Kebbi State governor, Dr Nasir Idris has commended emir of Zuru for organizing the historic occasion in the State,
Governor Idris has promised to rehabilitate Koko -Zuru road, saying that his government will also tackle security challenges in the state.
He said ” this government spend N500 million every mouth on security alon, my government is ready to fight insecurity in the state.
Earlier, the Emir of Zuru, Maj. Gen. Muhammad Sani-Sami, thanked the Kebbi state governor for providing financial support to stage the festival which has been listed in the calendar of NTDA.
If this year’s festival is “Unity and Prosperity”, drawing attention towards utilising culture, arts and expression to unite the people.
