Former defence minister Theophilus Danjuma has described the annual Nwonyo Fishing Festival as a symbol of unity and peace in diversity for the people of Taraba.
Danjuma made the remark on Sunday at the 2026 edition of the festival held in the Ibi area of Taraba.
Represented by Gov. Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau, Danjuma said the festival had transcended beyond celebration.
“The festival serves as a platform where strength, skills, patience and resilience should be displayed in their purest forms.
“It has, historically, been a meeting point for different people, tourists and traditions. This has been so long before modern institutions.
“The festival is the restoration of identity, the restoration of pride and the restoration of cultural continuity.
“It is more than a celebration. It is a powerful expression of who we are, a symbol of unity in diversity and a way of empowerment for our local communities,” he said.
He commended Taraba for being the only state in Nigeria with a Ministry of Heritage and Ecotourism, and described that initiative as “a reflection of visionary leadership by Governor Agbu Kefas”.
Danjuma added that the state was repositioning itself, and Nigeria at large, as the gateway for tourism in Africa.
He congratulated Gov. Kefas and his team for reviving the festival and making it a reality again.
Danjuma described the act of fishing at Nwonyo as “a ritual and a cultural performance that serves as a living bridge connecting the past, present and future”.
In his remarks, Kefas reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to promoting culture, tourism and economic growth through the hosting of key festivals like the Nwonyo International Fishing Festival held at the Nwonyo lake.
Kefas described the festival as a powerful platform for cultural revival, unity and economic development.
He said that festivals were serving as catalysts for community engagement and global visibility, stressing that his administration was taking steps to reposition Taraba as a top destination for tourism and investment.
The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN), reports that the fishing event showcased the rich traditions of the people and a stiff competition for the biggest catch.
NAN also reports that the biggest catch weighing 55.6 kilogrammes got the winner’s prize of N10 million, while the second position took N3 million.
Mutfwang, who handed over the prizes to the winners, gave N2 million to the fisherman whose fish was third best. (NAN)
