By Gbenga, Kogi
The wife of the Kogi state Governor, Mrs Rasheedat Bello has said that the yearly Koton-karfe cultural and fishing festivals would be upgraded to international standard for tourism and to create employment for the teeming youths of the state.
Mrs. Bello was speaking on Thursday while declaring open 2022 Koton-karfe cultural/fishing festivals whose office was the sponsored.
“Having realized the enormous potentials inherent in the festival and how it can provide job opportunity for the youths in the state,we decided to sponsor the festival to show that the state government was ready to upgrade the festival to the standard of Argungu in Kebbi State which is already a global phenomenon.”
Also speaking at the occasion, the Chairman of Kogi state civil Service Commission, Barrister Mohammed Tanko Musa who is a son of the soil and the driving force behind the yearly festival said that he was motivated by the opportunities fishing activities portend for the youths.
“The aim is to showcase Kogi Koton-karfe as predominantly fishing Community, highly industrious people which if properly harnessed would open up the community to more opportunities.
He expressed delight in the renewed interest shown by the state government and the promise to upgrade the festival to international standard adding that such step would go a long way to uplift the living standard of the people.
The Kogi Koto-karfe fishing festival although an age-long traditional festival was officially instituted in 2017 as a ceremony and since then has become a yearly event
The three days event would be rounded off on Friday with price giving ceremony to the persons with the biggest catch.
Among dignitaries that witnessed the occasion included Hajia Nana Aishatu Gambo, National President, Naval Officers Wives Association (NOWA), Mrs. Ejura David Onoja, Deputy Governor’s wife, Executive Chairman Lokoja LG, Hon. Mohammed Dan’asebe Mohammed, Mrs. Hassana Jezhi Bako Ag. Chairman Kogi Local Government Council, SA on Youth Affairs to Gov Bello, Jibrin Ahmadu, Wives to house representatives, Senator and others are Traditional rulers Security Officers, and numerous indigenes and visitors.
