By Amuda Dan Sulaiman Fab.
Lokoja Traditional Council, through the Lokoja Forum of Patriots, is set to host the second edition of boat regatta funfair to boost its culture.
Chairman of the Lokoja Forum of Patriots, Alhaji Baba’ango Idris, said on Sunday that the regatta would hold on October 10 at John Holt Waterfront, Lokoja.
Idris said in a statement that the funfair would also attract investors to the rich aquatic cultural asset embedded in the state.
The Forum Chairman said that the boat regatta is open to the public.
“It is a cultural and entertainment funfair meant to showcase part of the local government area’s rich aquatic cultural asset, being a festival that is common to the traditional coastline communities.
“The boat regatta festival is a traditional tourism feature of Lokoja local government area and this year’s outing is in line with the vision of the Maigari of Lokoja, Alhaji (Dr) Muhammadu Kabir Maikarfi 111.
“It will further showcase the tourism values, the beauty of Lokoja waterways and market its potentials to local and foreign tourists as well as investors,’’ Idris said.
According to him, the water regatta will also serve as a family recreation show for the benefit of Lokojans.
Activities scheduled to spice the festival include performances by entertainment boats, traditional boat regatta parade, cultural display by various riverine communities, water safety tips and other side attractions.
Idris said the participating water communities would compete for prizes on open water swimming, canoe race and outstanding regatta boats event.
Similarly, private boat owners and other stakeholders involved in marine leisure and hospitality ventures will feature at the event, he added.
