By Tanimu Nasidi
Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, on Saturday witnessed the 5th boat regatta in which several boatmen paddle for a prize at the confluence of Rivers Niger and Benue.
The Pata waterfront and its sorroundings were agog with residents who trooped in to be part of the maiden Lokoja Boat Regatta Festival put together by the Lokoja Forum of Patriots (LFP).
The festival, which was in collaboration with the Lokoja Traditional Council, and which showcased the diverse cultures of the people, featured events like swimming and rowing competitions among the seven districts, while trophies and other prizes were distributed to winners by the Roggan of Eggan, Alhaji Alhassan Idris, who represented the royal father of the day, HRH. Alhaji Ibrahim Gambo Kabir Maikarfi 1V, the Maigari of Lokoja.
The Dan Darman of Lokoja,Barrister Ahmed Nasir, who was represented by Engineer bashir Nasir called on both the federal and state governments to pay more attention to the development of the tourism sector, as an avenue for job creation for the teeming youth population.
He pleaded for attitudinal change towards the two tiers of government, saying that the sector had for too long been left undeveloped, at the detriment of the country’s economic development.
According to him, the country has a lot to gain from the tourism sector, because of its job creation and foreign exchange earning potentials.
He admonished that tourism be accorded the same attention being given to agriculture by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, to further widen the nation’s internally generated revenue base.
He commended the LFP for staging the boat regatta festival which he described as the traditional festival of the indigenous people of Lokoja.
He said that the council will ensure that the festival holds yearly henceforth.
The Chairman of the Lokoja Forum of Patriots, Alhaji Idris Baba’ango said that the organisation decided to leverage on the traditional festival to further promote unity and understanding among the various ethnic groups in the local government.
He explained that it was aimed at projecting the unique position of Lokoja in Nigeria, and use its creative resources to attract both local and foreign tourists.
He thanked the people for embracing the festival, promising that efforts will be made to sustain and improve on subsequent editions.
In his goodwill message,former caretaker Chairman of Lokoja local government and APC flagbearer,comrade Abdullahi Adamu commended the forum and Lokoja traditional council for sustaining the annual festival.
He described the event as a mechanism of preserving the cultural heritage of Lokoja local government and its people and promised to host the 6th edition of votes as chairman of the council.
“I have been privileged to attend three editions and I can say that the organizers keep raising the standards and meeting our expectations. We appreciate the passion and commitments of the Lokoja Forum of Patriots and Lokoja Traditional Council for sustaining this cultural display.”
“These cultural heritage are the cornerstone of our existence and a testament of our rich tourism potentials. When elected into office, we will join hands to make it even better, more beautiful and more colourful, Insha Allah.” Adamu said.
Highlights of this year’s edition includes: presentation of gifts to the winners by the state commissioner for water Resources Engineer Muhammad Danladi Yahaya Farouk whose ward won the first runner off in canoe paddling and Swimming.
