In a passionate bid to safeguard the cultural legacy of the historic Confluence City and convert its rich aquatic traditions into a major driver of economic growth, the Lokoja Forum of Patriots has called on the Kogi State Government to grant sustained funding and institutional recognition to the annual Lokoja Boat Regatta.
The appeal was made on Saturday during the colorful 2026 edition of the festival, held at the Kabawa Waterfront in Lokoja.
Speaking before an array of government officials, traditional rulers, corporate stakeholders, and enthusiastic spectators, the Chairman of the Lokoja Forum of Patriots, Alhaji Idris Baba’ango, emphasized that deliberate state intervention and increased private-sector participation are vital to elevating the festival into a prominent fixture on Nigeria’s cultural and tourism map.
Alhaji Baba’ango noted that beyond its traditional significance, the regatta was conceived as a powerful vehicle to promote unity, peaceful coexistence, and mutual understanding among the diverse ethnic groups in Lokoja Local Government Area. He stressed that regular financial support would enable the festival to expand its reach, generate viable economic opportunities for local businesses, attract national and international tourists, and project the city’s unique heritage to the world.
Exhorting the competitors, the Forum chairman urged all participants to exhibit discipline, sportsmanship, and mutual respect, while calling on event judges to uphold absolute fairness and impartiality throughout the contests.
Reinforcing the call for cultural preservation, the Chairman of the Day, Barrister Ahmed Naseer, who holds the title of Dan-Darman of Lokoja, reiterated the imperative of sustaining and expanding the regatta. He urged corporate organizations and well-meaning individuals to collaborate with the Lokoja Forum of Patriots to prevent age-old indigenous festivals from sliding into extinction.
Barrister Naseer observed that the regatta provides an unmatched platform to highlight the seamanship, courage, and artistic flair of local boatmen, uniting communities through shared cultural expression. He commended the Maigari of Lokoja for his steadfast traditional leadership and unwavering support for community heritage, acknowledging the prominent dignitaries whose presence highlighted the civic significance of the occasion.
The atmosphere at the Kabawa Waterfront reached a crescendo during the festival’s high point, featuring a vibrant parade of intricately decorated boats, thrilling canoe races, intense swimming competitions, and captivating cultural performances along the confluence of the Rivers Niger and Benue.
Stakeholders and community observers present at the event agreed that with structured government backing and strategic corporate investment, the Lokoja Boat Regatta holds the key to safeguarding the region’s aquatic history while opening new frontiers for tourism and local commerce.
