- 200-year-old festival excites residents
From Olanrewaju Lawal, Birnin Kebbi
The Emir of Yauri Emirate, Dr Muhammad Zayyanu Abdullahi, has urged the Federal Government to fulfill all it promises to the people of Yauri emirate after construction of hydropower in Jebba.
Abdullahi stated this while speaking to newsmen ahead of annual Rigata fishing festival in his palace.
The festival which was held in 2020, was resuscitated by the administration of Dr. Nasir Idris, Kebbi State Governor as part of his administration to promote cultures heritage of the state.
The Royal Highness,who recalled that prior the construction of Jebba Dam, Federal Government had promised to build Inland Port Authority in Yauri, portable water,schools and other amenities,noted that these promises have not been implemented.
“The Federal Government should fulfil it’s promises to my people. They promised us Inland Port Authority, water,schools and other social amenities. But they have not fulfilled these. We just want them to fulfil their promises to us.”
While recalling how Rigata fishing festival was revived,Emir Yauri disclosed that it was during the tenure of late Sir Ahmadu Bello,who used to spend his holiday in Yauri, revived Rigata fishing festival after being ban by Colonial masters to protect endanger species from extinction.
He call on his subjects in Yauri Emirate and it’s environment to continue to cooperate with each other for development of the state, Nigeria stressed that, Rigata fishing festival symbolising unity among the people irrespective of their background.
Similarly,at the venue of the Rigata, known as “Baking Ruwa’, fish sellers,farmers, other traders from different villages across Yauri have stormed the ancient town with excitement, awaiting various guests who may purchase their goods.
While speaking with newsmen, Mallam Hassan Mai-Kifi, a fish seller explained that many of them usually waiting for the annual Rigata fishing festival to earn more income because foreigners would purchase more fish from them than ordinary day.
He said that the last time Rigata was celebrated was in year 2020 due to certain COVID 19,stressed,they are appealing to the State Government to always allow the festival to be held annually.
In his remark,Umar Yuwasa,also expressed his happiness over the returns of the annual Rigata fishing festival stressed that,all fish sellers within and outside Nigeria,Benin Republic and Niger Republic are all in Yauri ancient town to showcasing their goods.
According to him,”Rigata fishing festival is big moment many of us are always waiting for. As you can see,many people from different villages, Countries like Benin Republic and Niger Republic are here to sell their goods. We are brothers and sisters. This festival unite us and we are praying that it should be holding every year.”