Political leaders, Stakeholders in Koton-karfe/Kogi local government area of the State have expressed their appreciations to the State government and particularly the wife of the governor for being the sole sponsor of this year’s 4th edition of Igu-Koton-karfe cultural/fishing festival. According to the leaders the festival will afford them more opportunities and increase the economic fortune of the area.
A renown Politician and Community builder in Kogi Local Government Area, Hon. Saidu Akawu Salihu popularly called SAS, has described the 4th Edition of the just concluded Igu-Koton-Karfe Cultural/Fishing Festival as a huge success.
A renown Politician and Community builder in Kogi Local Government Area, Hon. Saidu Akawu Salihu popularly called SAS
In an interview with Newsmen, Chief Saidu Akawu Salihu explained that the people of the Area are predominantly fishermen, saying such has become the Culture of the people of Kogi Local Government Area.
Chief Salihu noted that the need to keep such Culture alive for generations yet unborn cannot be overemphasized, commending all and sundry who contributed to the huge success recorded at the event.
“It’s a joyous moment for all of us because fishing is part of our culture and it’s very fundamental to my people
“What you see people do here is the exhibition of the joy in what they do (fishing) so gathering again to celebrate what we believe in which has been part and parcel of our lives is a great thing to us
“Our hope and expectation is that the government should continue to support and encourage the continuation of this festival and also, we hope that there should be improvement that will involve the modern technique of fishing rather than the primitive way that we are used to because the world is changing and we should be able to align with trend” he said.
Alhaji Abdullahi Yusuf Ohikwura, Treasurer Kogi LG
On his part, the Treasurer of Kogi Local Government Area, Alhaji Yusuf Abdullahi Ohikura who is the Matawalen Koton-Karfe, noted that the people were gathered to showcase their historic rich Culture to the entire world.
“Historically, fishing activities has been existing in this Kingdom for over 200 years but this festival was brought to limelight in 2017 through the efforts of the Ohimegye Igu of Koton-Karfe, (HRM) Alhaji Abdulrazak Sanni Isah Koto (Agabaidu) and other well meaning sons of the land who saw the need for our cultural heritage to be sustained
“As a people, fishing is our passion, that is what our people live on and we are always very proud of it wherever we found ourselves
“We are very glad that the State Government has institutionalized this festival and we also enjoin the State Ministry for Culture and Tourism to also write to the national and see how this festival can be adopted to become a National event” Matawallen stressed.
Hajiya Zainab Ibrahim, HOD Health in the LG and the Wakiliya of Igu-Koton-Karfe Kingdom
In the same vein, the Head of Department – Health, Kogi Local Government Area, Hajiya Zainab Ibrahim, who could not hold back her joy over the event, described it as one of it’s kind in the Area.
