Taraba to host global leaders at annual Nwonyo fishing festival

By Sylvanus Viashima, Jalingo

The Taraba State Government on Monday said it has concluded all arrangements to host international leaders at its annual traditional Nwonyo Fishing Festival.

Barr. Danjuma Adamu, the chairman of the Publicity Sub-Committee, disclosed that the event, which is scheduled to start on Friday, April 17, 2026, will host the Prime Minister of Grenada, Dickon Mitchell, and the President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama.

Briefing journalists in Jalingo, the committee also stated that President Bola Tinubu would serve as the Special Guest of Honour at the occasion.

“We wish to inform Nigerians that Governor Agbu Kefas has approved the 17th and 18th of April 2026 for the Nwonyo Annual Traditional Fishing event,” the committee stated.

The committee emphasised that the development is part of Governor Agbu Kefas’ administration’s deliberate efforts to showcase not only the cultural heritage of the people but also to promote the rich tourism potential of Taraba State to the outside world.

“As a cultural event, the idea is part of the deliberate efforts of Governor Agbu Kefas-led administration to showcase not only the cultural heritage of the people but to expose the rich tourism potential of Taraba State to the outside world.

“The event will start on Friday, April 17, 2026, with the Jukun Youth Day at 9 a.m.

“The event marking the Youth Day will hold at the Aku Uka Palace in Wukari. Various cultural activities will be displayed to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the Jukun. There will be a cultural march-past and procession,” it continued.

The committee also said Senator Simon Bako Lalong, representing the Plateau South Senatorial District, will deliver a keynote speech at the occasion on the theme “Rooted in Culture, United in Diversity, Jukun Youths for Peace and Progress”.

“There will also be coronation and conferment of royal titles by His Majesty, Dr Ishaku Adda Ali Matakhitswen, the Aku Uka of Wukari.

“The second day, which is April 18, 2026, will feature the main event, the Nwonyo Annual Traditional Fishing Festival, which will be held at the Nwonyo Lake in Ibi, under the leadership of General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma (retd),” the committee added.