Akata Benue Fishing Festival

Last updated

The Akata Festival is a fishing festival common among the Akata people. Akata is located at Katsina-Ala local government Area in Benue State, Nigeria. [1] It is an annual festival celebration, and a fishing competition festival practiced among the Tiv, Etulo and Jukun fishermen where the fisherman with the highest catch is rewarded handsomely. This competition also reveal different fishing skills, as the competition is on-going, dances and drums with different practices by the community is performed. [2] [3]

The Festival is said to open the mind of individuals and organisations and widen there scopes and see streams of business opportunities to annex in Benue State. The festival stands as a medium to open Families, Investors, companies, Decision Makers, and tourists to what the community can offer. [4] [5]

Festivity

Yearly, new festival might tend to add more activities or details during the planning period by the committees, so as to improve the quality of the festival and the impart in the community life, yet some things are fixed such as the fishing and dancing activities. The Fishing event which is the main and primary focus of the festival helps to plant the love of fishing into young and growing ones, and also activate the burning desire of kids who have always wanted to go fishing but have no advantage or opportunity to do so, at this festival, they are provided with the advantage to join the fishing competition. This festival has always been an ignite to the passion of young men to Fishing. [6]

Likewise, outside the Fishing events are more other educative events that takes place during this festival, some of this events are: Business Conference, Learning how to cook your catch professional cooking demonstration, Made in Benue Expo, Showcasing Fishing Tackle and Equipment Display, Hands-on-Fish focus. [7]

The Entertainment events are: Wrestling, Power Bike Racing, Dancing, Boat Racing, Beauty Pageant, Arrow Shooting, Gala/Award Night, Cultural and Entertainment Night. [8]

Related Research Articles

Benue State State of Nigeria

Benue State is one of the North Central states in Nigeria with a population of about 4,253,641 in 2006 census. The state derives its name from the Benue River which is the second largest river in Nigeria. The state borders Nasarawa State to the North; Taraba State to the East; Kogi State to the West; Enugu State to the South-West; Ebonyi and Cross-Rivers States to the South; and has an international border with Cameroon to the South-East. It is inhabited predominantly by the Tiv, Idoma, Igede and Etulo peoples. Its capital is Makurdi. Benue is a rich agricultural region; popularly grown crops include: oranges, mangoes, sweet potatoes, cassava, soya bean, guinea corn, flax, yams, sesame, rice, groundnuts, and Palm Tree. Benue State as it exists today is a surviving legacy of an administrative entity that was carved out of the protectorate of northern Nigeria at the beginning of the twentieth century. The territory was initially known as Munshi Province until 1918 when the name of its dominant geographical feature, the 'Benue River' was adopted.

The Argungu Fishing Festival or Argungu Dance Festival is an annual four-day festival in the state of Kebbi, in the north-western part of Northern Nigeria. The region is made up of fertile river areas of (matanfada, mala with much irrigation and orchards. The majority of fishermen are the followers of Islam and also predominantly farmers. Kanta Museum is the main historical centre in Argungu for visitors across the globe. People from around the world travel to Argungu just to witness the occasion. The main purpose of the Argungu fishing festival is for fishing and unity. The festival usually takes 4-days of cultural event

Tiv people Ethnic group

Tiv are a Tivoid ethnic group. They constitute approximately 5% of Nigeria's total population, and number over 14 million individuals throughout Nigeria and Cameroon. The Tiv language is spoken by about 15 million people in Nigeria with a few speakers in Cameroon. Most of the language's Nigerian speakers are found in Benue, Taraba, Nasarawa and Plateau States. The language is a branch of Benue–Congo and ultimately of the Niger–Congo phylum. In pre-colonial times, the Fulani ethnic group referred to the Tiv as "Munchi", a term not accepted by Tiv people. They depend on agricultural produce for commerce and life.

Taraba State State of Nigeria

Taraba is a state in North Eastern Nigeria, named after the Taraba River which traverses the southern part of the state. Taraba's capital is Jalingo. The inhabitants are mainly the Fulani, Jukun and the Ichen who are found predominantly in the southern part of the state while Wurkum, Mumuye, and Kona tribes are predominantly located in the northern part of the state. The central region is mainly occupied by the Mambila people. ↵There are over 40 different tribes and their languages in Taraba State.

Idoma people

The Idoma are people that primarily inhabit the lower western areas of Benue State, Nigeria, and kindred groups can be found in Cross Rivers State, Enugu State, Kogi State and Nasarawa State in Nigeria. The Idoma language is classified in the Akweya subgroup of the Idomoid languages of the Volta–Niger family, which include Igede,Alago, Agatu, Etulo, Ete and Yala languages of Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi and Northern Cross River states. The Akweya subgroup is closely related to the Yatye-Akpa sub-group. The bulk of the territory is inland, south of river Benue, some seventy-two kilometres east of its confluence with River Niger. The Idomas are known to be 'warriors' and 'hunters' of class, but hospitable and peace-loving. The greater part of Idoma land remained largely unknown to the West until the 1920s, leaving much of the colourful traditional culture of the Idoma intact. The population of the Idoma is estimated to be about 3.5 million. The Idoma people have a traditional ruler called the Och'Idoma who is the head of the Idoma Area Traditional Council. This was introduced by the British. Each community has its own traditional chief such as the Ad'Ogbadibo of Orokam, Chief D.E Enenche. The Palace of the Och'Idoma is located at Otukpo, Benue State. The present Och'Idoma, Elias Ikoyi Obekpa was installed into office in 1997 and the position is for life.

Major General (retired) Lawrence Anebi Onoja was the military governor of Plateau State, Nigeria from 1986 to July 1988 and then of Katsina State until December 1989 during the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida. He later became Principal Staff Officer to General Sani Abacha, before being arrested for alleged involvement in a coup attempt. He retired from the army in 1998, and after the return to democracy in May 1999 with the Nigerian Fourth Republic entered into politics.

Wukari Federation Traditional state in Taraba State, Nigeria

The Wukari Federation is a traditional state in Nigeria, a successor to the Kwararafa state of the Jukun people. The state is based in the town of Wukari in Taraba State, in the south of the Benue River basin. The ruler takes the title "Aku Uka".

Shan George is a Nollywood actress, singer, film producer and director. Prior to debuting in the movie Thorns of Rose, she had previously featured in a 1997 soap opera titled Winds of Destiny. She is best known for her role in the movies Outkast and Welcome to Nollywood.

Godwin Obaseki Nigerian politician

Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki, is a Nigerian politician and businessman, who is currently the Governor of Edo State. He was first sworn in as governor on the 12th of November 2016. Before becoming governor, he had served as the chairman of the Edo State Economic and Strategy Team inaugurated by former Governor Adams Oshiomole in March 2009.

Agatu massacres

The Agatu attacks and massacres occurred in Agatu, Benue State, began in late February 2016 and continued for several days into March.

Edward Lametek Adamu is a Nigerian quantity surveyor, business consultant and leadership strategist. He is the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, the country's central bank. He was nominated to that position by president Muhammadu Buhari on 1 February 2018, to replace Suleiman Barau, who retired in December 2017. He was unanimously confirmed by the Nigerian Senate on 22 March 2018.

Mike Onoja Nigerian politician and entrepreneur (b. 1948)

Mike Okibe Onoja is a Nigerian Businessman, and a public administrator from Ado LGA, Benue state. The Chairman (CEO) of Monsoons Resources Investment International Limited and Century court Apartments. "Monsoons resources Investment Internationa". Monsoons Resources Investment Internationa. Archived from the original on 22 October 2016. Retrieved 17 October 2018.</ref> He also holds chieftaincy title as the Akanaba K'Idoma.

Aisagbonriodion Matthew Urhoghide is a Nigerian politician. He is the senator representing Edo South Senatorial District in the Nigerian Senate. He is a senator of the 8th and 9th republic of the National Assembly in Nigeria respectively.

Ada Ameh is a Nigerian actress who has spent more than two decades in the Nigerian movie industry and is most notable for her character as Anita in 1996 movie titled “Domitilla” and as Emu Johnson in the award winning Nigerian Tv series titled The Johnsons. Ameh In The Johnsons Tv series featured alongside other Nollywood actors such as Charles Inojie, Chinedu Ikedieze & Olumide Oworu.

Kidnapping is a major problem in Nigeria in the early 21st century. Kidnapping by bandits and insurgents is among the biggest organised or gang crime in Nigeria and is a national security challenge.

The 2015 Benue State gubernatorial election was the 8th gubernatorial election of Benue State. Held on April 11, 2015, the All Progressives Congress nominee Samuel Ortom won the election, defeating Terhemen Tarzoor of the People's Democratic Party.

Fanny Ikhayere Amun is a Nigerian former football player and coach. He led the Nigeria national under-17 team to victory at the 1993 FIFA U-17 World Championship.

The Nwonyo Fishing Festival is a festival celebrated by the Ibi people in Taraba State. The lake is located 5 kilometres North of Ibi community, it is an annually celebrated festival where Ibi and its neighboring community comes together to fish and re-unite. The lake is said to be the largest in west Africa as it run 15 kilometres to the Benue River. The name Nwonyo means Hide-out for huge and dangerous aquatic Animals such as Crocodiles, Snakes, Hippopotamus and many more.

References

  1. ↑ "All set for Akata Cultural Festival". Latest Nigeria News, Nigerian Newspapers, Politics. 2013-06-22. Retrieved 2021-08-24.
  2. ↑ "Akata Fishing Festival Benue, Festivals And Carnivals In Benue State :: Nigeria Information & Guide". www.nigeriagalleria.com. Retrieved 2021-08-19.
  3. ↑ "Akata Fishing Festival". ZODML. Retrieved 2021-08-19.
  4. ↑ "Benue's Akata Fishing Festival holds in June". Premium Times Nigeria. 2013-04-30. Retrieved 2021-08-19.
  5. ↑ "'Why I'm providing networking platforms for businesses' - Rosemary Duamlong". Vanguard News. 2013-06-01. Retrieved 2021-08-24.
  6. ↑ "Benue's Akata Fishing Festival holds in June | Premium Times Nigeria". 2013-04-30. Retrieved 2021-08-19.
  7. ↑ Godwin, Ameh Comrade (2013-05-01). "Akata Fishing Festival to hold in Benue on June 4". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 2021-08-19.
  8. ↑ Godwin, Ameh Comrade (2013-05-01). "Akata Fishing Festival to hold in Benue on June 4". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 2021-08-19.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.