BY CHUWANG DUNGS
Former Chief of army staff and minister of defense, Theophilus Danjuma on Friday described the spade of killings and kidnapping across the country as a “disgrace to the whole world.”
He said no sane foreigner will come to Nigeria to invest or celebrate if Nigerians continue to kill and butcher each other.
Danjuma stated this at the opening ceremony of the revived Nwonyo International Fishing and Cultural Festival in Ibbi local government area, Taraba state.
Recall, a third class traditional ruler in the state who was supposed to travel to Ibbi for the event was killed by gun men in his palace in Sansani, Gassol local government area of the state a few hours to the event.
Mr Danjuma noted that for the festival to become truly international there must be peace in the state and the entire country.
“We must have peace in the state and the country, no sane foreigner will come to our country to invest or either celebrate with us, if we continue to kill and butcher ourselves. If we continue to make our roads unsafe for people to move around.
“As we are today, we are a disgrace to the whole world, we must put our house in order because right now we are a laughing stock to the whole world.
Mr Danjuma applauded governor Agbu Kefas, for reviving the annual festival which has not been observed in the last 15 years.
He said if sustained the festival will no doubt foster peace and unity amongst the people of the state.
The governor of Adamawa state, Ahmadu Fintiri, who is the special guest, expressed satisfaction to be part of the event and promised to partner with the neighbouring State in promoting cultural engagements and fostering peace and unity.
About the Festival.
The Nwonyo Fishing Festival has been in existence for over 100 years and can be traced to its discovery by Buba Wurbo in 1816, he was the same person who founded the Ibbi community. The name Nwonyo means Hide-out for huge and dangerous aquatic Animals such as Crocodiles, Snakes, Hippopotamus and many more.
The lake which is located 5 kilometres North of Ibbi community, is said to be the largest in west Africa as it runs 15 kilometres to the Benue River.
The festival is an annually celebrated festival where Ibbi and its neighboring community come together to fish and re-unite.
Incidentally, the festival was not given any significant attention thereafter until it was repackaged by the Governor Jolly Nyame Administration (2005-2006). But it was still relatively known as an Annual Fishing Festival. This was said to have marked the turning point in the history of the festival as it acquired an even greater significance when the state government took over its organization and funding. It also received a massive boost by way of increased funding, prestige, and attention.
By 2008, the festival was re-introduced as an International Fishing and Cultural Festival by Governor Danbaba Suntai. In November the same year, the governor established the Taraba State Tourism Development Board (TSTDB), and the responsibility of staging and organizing the festival was automatically transferred to the Board.
Events at the Festival
Since the government took over the organization of the Nwonyo Fishing Festival, it’s assumed a different dimension, incorporating various activities. Some of these include: Boat Racing , Swimming, Boat Regatta, Masquerade, Dances, Traditional Dances.
The fish-catch competition is the main event of the festival.
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