Organisers of the Lokoja annual boat regatta have called on the Kogi State government to take over the sponsorship of the festival to make it a tourist attraction.
The chairman of the 2025 edition of the festival, Barr Naseer Ahmed, who stated this weekend, in his welcome address, noted that the yearly boat event is used to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the Lokoja people and its environs.
He called on other well-meaning Kogi indigenes, both within and in the diaspora, as well as corporate institutions and organisations, to partner with the organisers of the Lokoja Boat Regatta to showcase their products and give it a national outlook.
Speaking also, the managing director and chief executive officer of National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC), Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa, said that the commission will continue to make safety on the nation’s waterways a priority.
The managing director noted that it is working out several measures towards ensuring that operators on the nation’s waterways adhere to safety regulations.
The MD N-HYPPADEC, who was represented by the director of Administration and Finance, Mr Jimoh Haruna Gabi, disclosed this at the 6th edition of Lokoja Boat Regatta Festival held in Lokoja.
The managing director stated further that the agency is collaborating with other enforcement agencies to ensure that boat operators work within the act establishing the commission by enforcing the law.
He called on boat operators across the country to be operating within rules of engagement, pointing out that, enforcement will now be made stricter towards protecting the lives of users of the nation’s waterways.
The N-HYPPADEC MD disclosed further that towards making the waters safe, he has provided several boats, life jackets, and carried out series of training for commercial and boat operators. He lamented the recent boat mishap that occurred in Ibaji local government area, that claimed some lives.
While pointing out that N-HYPPADEC is collaborating with other security agencies, he tasked users of the nation’s waterways, particularly boat operators to maintain safety protocols.
The MD promised that they would continue to work and show interest in activities carried out by riverine communities, which is why they are attending the 6th edition of Lokoja Boat Regatta Festival.
In his welcome address, Alhaji Idris Baba’ango, chairman of the Lokoja Forum of Patriots, said the goals of the boat regatta are to reawaken and promote the cultural heritage of the Lokoja riverine communities.
The highlights of the 6th edition of the Lokoja Boat Regatta include cultural display, swimming, paddling and Regatta and presentation of gifts to winners of various categories of competition organised to mark the Regatta.
