The Gwandu Emirate of Kebbi, says it has concluded arrangement to re-introduce “Traditional Annual Horse Racing” to foster unity amongst its subjects.
Alhaji Mustapha Usman-Adamu, the Chief Coordinator, Horse Racing Committee of the emirate, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Birnin Kebbi.
The chief coordinator spoke shortly after a maiden stakeholders’ meeting on the programme held in Birnin Kebbi.
Usman-Adamu, who also holds the traditional title of Sarkin Bargun Ka’oje, said the essence of the meeting was to deliberate on the annual horse racing scheduled to hold in November this year.
He said: “This is our first meeting on how to organise a successful horse racing in November. Horse racing is one of the games permitted and legalised by Islam.”
“Just like other games, the event will bring people together, mend relationships, and improve people’s economy. This will enable those from royal clan to come together, especially that Gwandu emirate is very wide.
“The emirate has 10 LGAs under it with 55 District Heads. Therefore, this is an opportunity for them to come together, know each other more and re-establish relationships.”
Usman-Adamu said the decision to re-introduce the racing was informed by the desire of Kebbi governor, Dr Nasir Idris to revive the culture and tradition of the emirate.
“We are happy God has blessed us with a governor who knows the value of traditional institutions and respects all manner of people. He therefore provided an opportunity to the emirate to come up with the event to purposefully foster unity among the people.”
Also in an interview, Alhaji Haliru Abubakar, Sarkin Sukuwan Gwandu recalled that Argungu Emirate was celebrating Argungu Fishing Festival, Yauri was celebrating Rigata Cultural Festival, while Zuru was celebrating Uhola Cultural Festival.
He, however, said that Gwandu Emirate had been conducting horse racing long time ago but the event was halted, adding that with the encouragement from the state governor, “Gwandu will re-introduce its ancestral traditional horse racing this year.”
On their part, the Galadiman Gwandu, Alhaji Ibrahim Bashar and Gatan Gwandu, Alhaji Faruqu Umar, said the event, apart from horse racing, would also feature traditional durbar and agricultural show among others to fully entertain the public.
They noted that the essence of the meeting was to strategise towards the success of the entire event, adding that it was also intended to be a platform for information dissemination on the event, “so that people can be be receiving updated information on the programme.”
