The Gwandu Emirate in Kebbi, says it plans 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 on Sunday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the chief coordinator spoke shortly after a maiden stakeholders’ meeting on the event 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 race in November.
”Horse racing is one of the games permitted and allowed by Islam.
“Just like other games, the event will bring people together, mend relationships, and improve people’s economy.
”This will enable those from the royal clan to come together, especially since the 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 Gov. Nasir Idris to revive the culture and tradition of the emirate.
He added, ”We are happy, God has blessed us with a governor who knows the value of traditional institutions and respects all manner of people.
‘He has 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 has been celebrating Argungu Fishing Festival.
Also, Yauri has been celebrating the Rigata Cultural Festival, while Zuru has been celebrating the Uhola Cultural Festival.
He, however, said that Gwandu emirate had been conducting horse racing a long time ago but the event was halted.
Abubakar said, ”With the encouragement from the governor, Gwandu will re-introduce its ancestral traditional horse racing this year.”
The Galadiman Gwandu, Alhaji Ibrahim Bashar and Gatan Gwandu, Alhaji Faruqu Umar, also concurred with the other speakers.
They said that apart from horse racing, the event would also feature traditional durbar and an agricultural show, among others.
The duo added that the essence of the meeting was to strategise towards the success of the event.
They said that the meeting formed an information sharing platform ahead of the event, adding, “so that the people can be receiving updates on the programme.” (NAN)