Kebbi State is embracing economic diversification with an eye on boosting tourism and promoting cultural heritage.
Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi says his administration has attracted over N330 billion foreign investment in line with this commitment.
At the 2025 Rigata Annual Cultural Festival in Yauri Local Area weekend Idris said:
“Our commitment to preserving the cultural heritage is commendable, as the Rigata festival is not just a celebration, it is a testament to our reach history, vibrant culture, unity of our people.
“This festival highlights the beauty of our tradition, the strength of our community 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 said.
The festival also plays a crucial role in promoting tourism, and economic development in Kebbi, attracting visitors from near and far.
“We have created opportunities for local businesses, 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 said.
On security, Idris said, that there was a remarkable departure of security situation in Yauri by converted efforts of the state government, saying that farmers had returned to their farms in the area.
“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 said.
The Minister for State, Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Yusuf Sununu said that it was part of the President Bola Tinubu’s policy thrust to utilise cultural diversities to boost the economy in the country.
“Rigata is a Yauri cultural heritage, which has purpose of living a legacy for future generation.
“The festival has earned international recognition; the present of tourists in the festival signifies that the peace has returned to Kebbi,” he said.
Sununu disclosed that the festival involved riverine manoeuvres, including water sports and entertainment which began 200 years ago.
“As a display of naval strength of Gungu people, where Gungu warriors attacked the most dangerous hippopotamus on the River Niger.
“Warriors used to board canoes of different sizes with various weapons to attack the wild marine mammal.
“The water manoeuvres also served as a training exercise for upcoming Gungu warriors,” he said.
Sununu recalled that the advent of Europeans led the colonial government to ban hippopotamus hunting to preserve the specie.
“Afterwards, Rigata became prestigious display of wealth, power and influence during wedding ceremonies of highly placed 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.
Chairman, National Organising Committee, Alhaji Yakubu Bala-Tafida described the festival as “a significant milestone to celebrate and present our cultural festival.”
He added that the festival was more than celebration of culture but a testimony to preserving tradition.
“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 reason, are now massively farming their farmlands because of the improved security in the emirate,” he said.
The chairman, who is the Secretary to Kebbi Government, commended the tremendous efforts of the Emir and council for the relentless effort in putting together the past and present history of Yauri kingdom via Rigata festival.
The Emir of Yauri, Dr Muhammad Zayyanu-Abdullahi, thanked Gov. Idris for his unwavering support and infrastructural development in the emirate as well as all those who participated in the event from near and far.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that among the dignitaries who attended the event 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, immediate past Senator representing Kebbi South among others.
Crediblenewsng.com
