Niger State Deputy Governor, Yakubu Garba, highlighted the significance of education and agriculture in the state. He urged parents and guardians to prioritise enrolling their children in schools. Garba also encouraged citizens to support the agricultural initiatives of Governor Mohammed Umar Bago’s administration, which are currently underway in the state.
Garba also called on the organisers, under the Big Brothers Association in collaboration with other stakeholders, to ensure the annual Gurara Waterfalls Cultural Festival continues each year. The festival, held on Saturday, January 4, 2025, at Gawu Babangida, the headquarters of Gurara Local Government Area, aims to foster cultural harmony, peace, and unity among the people of Niger State.
The Deputy Governor expressed his satisfaction with its purpose. He praised the organisers for preserving the cultural heritage of the Gbagyi people and encouraged them to maintain their efforts. He also highlighted some of the benefits the government and people of the state have gained in addressing the long-standing security challenges facing Niger State.
The State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hajiya Fatima Adamu, was represented at the event by the ministry’s Director of Tourism, Madam Rakiya Tiffi.
Highlights of the Event
This year marked the 9th edition of the festival, celebrating Niger State’s rich natural resources and cultural heritage. The festival has grown into a major event on the state’s cultural calendar, drawing visitors from across the country.
Sources at the event, speaking on condition of anonymity, remarked that the attendance of the Deputy Governor, alongside the Honorable Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Hajiya Binta Mamman, underscored the state government’s dedication to fostering cultural development and safeguarding Niger State’s rich heritage.
The festival featured numerous highlights that showcased the state’s vibrant culture. These included a crafts display, an art exhibition, a regatta, and captivating performances by various dance groups. In addition to this, awards of excellence were presented to key dignitaries, including the Deputy Governor and the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, in recognition of their contributions to cultural preservation and development.
