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By Usman Adeshina
The Emir of Argungu, HRH Sumaila Mera on Sunday conferred the traditional title of Kakakin Kebbi (Cultural Ambassador of Kebbi) on the Minister of Information and Culture Alhaji Lai Mohammed.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the turbaning which took place at the forecourt of the Palace of the Emir in Argungu town, Kebbi State was on the sideline of the 2021 World Tourism Day to be celebrated in Birnin-Kebbi on Monday.
Speaking at the event, the Emir said the title was conferred on the minister because of his “courage and strength of character in projecting the image of Nigeria locally and internationally”.
Specifically, the Emir said the emirate honoured the minister with the title as a show of appreciation for his effort in promoting the Argungu Fishing and Cultural Festival to attain international status.
NAN reports that the annual festival which attracts local and international participants and tourists was in 2017 listed by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity .
The Emir also commended past Ministers of Culture and Tourism for their efforts in promoting the festival nationally since 1970.
“Traditionally, Kakakin is an instrument which attracts attention. From the authority of the Emir and the entire people of the emirate, it has now been handed over to the recipient.
“The bearer of the instrument is the trumpet of the Argungu Emirate and he will be traditionally referred to as Kakakin.
“This gesture will be permanently recorded in the annal of our history that the minister is the Kakakin Kebbi.
“On behalf of the entire people of the emirate, I welcome you most warmly and I want to assure you that we will involve you in all matters of importance in the emirate,” he said.
The traditional rulers charged the minister to reciprocate the gesture by continuing to promote the cultural heritage of Kebbi and Argungu emirate in particular.
He assured that the emirate and the country at large would benefit from the wealth of experience of the minister.
The minister thanked the Emir and the entire people of the emirate for their affection and generosity in bestowing the honour and title of Kakakin Kebbi on him.
“As the cultural ambassador of Kebbi, I will endeavour that we develop all the festivals in the four emirates in the state in a manner that they will be globally recognised.
“I will also work assiduously to ensure these festivals become magnet to unite Nigeria and make the state a global tourist destination,” he said.
The minister said the choice of Kebbi for the 2021 celebration of the World Tourism Day was not just by coincidence but well planned and thought out.
While the decoration was going on , the citation of the minister was read and he was later lifted up by the Galadima who presented him to the Emir.
The Emir offered the minister with his instruments of office, a long trumpet and another short one which he said symbolised what he would use in projecting the virtue, culture and traditions of Argungu and Kebbi.