The Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, has called on his colleagues in the northern part of Nigeria to give premium to organising and hosting of cultural festivals.
The Governor said that it is imperative to organise such festivals in order to sustain the cultural heritage of the regioTambuwal who was a guest at the 41st edition of the annual ‘Sabre National De Lutte Traditionnalle’ (traditional wrestling festival) held in Maradi state of Niger Republic.
Governor Tambuwal made the call at the occasion on Sunday. The event was organized by the Nigerien Ministry of Youths and Sports in collaboration with the organized private sector and philanthropists inside and outside the country.
The Governor said, “Although many of such cultural displays abound in many parts of Northern Nigeria, we are yet to harness the full potentials that they embed in the quest for national awakening.
“We could upgrade such cultural festivals like wrestling, which is in popular display in Northern Nigeria and standardize them in the manner the Niger Republic has been able to do in the past four decades, thus bringing all manner of spectators from far and wide to participate in the Sabre fiesta.”
Governor Tambuwal expressed hope that Sokoto state, which has been gracing the annual event for many years will continue to do so even after his tenure.
“As you all know my predecessors have been coming to this country to participate in this fiesta every year. I have also maintained that tradition and I hope it will continue,” Tambuwal said.
The Governor also harped on the age-long relationship between the people of Niger Republic and those of Northern Nigeria.
“This annual festivity also underscores the historical unity of Nigeria and Niger Republic which has subsisted from the pre-colonial period till date,” the Governor said.
The overall winner of this year’s wrestling contest was Usman Hassan from Tillaberi state of the Republic.
He floored his opponent, Tasi’u Sani from Zinder state. His victory is the first for his state in the last 41 years since the fiesta debuted. He went home with a prize gift of CFA 5 million in addition to other prizes.