The Maigari, traditional head of Lokoja, Muhammadu Kabir has approved the cancellation of this year’s Donkwo Fishing Festival.
Donkwo is an annual fishing festival in Lokoja, Kogi State.
A statement issued in Lokoja by the organiser of the yearly cultural festival, Lokoja Forum of Patriots (LFP) said the Maigari arrived at the decision after wide consultation with other critical stakeholders.
The statement was signed by the Coordinator of the festival, Umar Nnda, and Chairman of the LFP, Idris Babango.
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The traditional leader said the outbreak of COVID-19 and the protocols put in place to curb it’s spread by the Federal and Kogi governments had clearly made it impossible to stage the festival this year.
“We also noticed that going ahead to stage this year edition of the festival will not only put the health of our people and others guests at risk, but will also amount to an affront against the law and constituted authorities,” the statement explained.
Messrs Nnda and Babango appealed to the people not to allow the cancellation diminish their love, cooperation and support for the festival which they said had contributed to the existing unity among indigenes and settlers from other parts of the country.
The statement also appealed to residents to continue to stay safe and obey all protocols to curb the spread of coronavirus.
Credit: NAN
