Speaker Kwara state House of Assembly, Hon. Yakubu Danladi Salihu, has pledged requisite legislative support for the state government in its quest to make the state economically viable with culture and tourism as a catalyst.

Salihu said this weekend in an interview with journalists at the 2023 Gaani festival of Gwanara emirate, Baruten local government area of the state.

The speaker commended the people of Gwanara for trooping out in large number for the commemoration of Gaani festival in the ancient town.

“It is a festival that attracts princes and princesses wherever they are, all over the world, they will come down to witness the day.

“As far as culture is concerned, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has been doing wonderfully well to promote our cultural heritage. I know since 2019 till date, the state government has been contributing to Gaani and festivals in other senatorial districts, and obviously, the direction of these festivals are changing.

“We urge the governor to keep up the work, and as legislators, we will support him to promote culture and tourism,” the speaker said.

Emir of Okuta and chairman, Baruten Emirate Council, Alhaji Idris Abubakar Shero, said the festival was not new to the people of Batonum, describing it as an inheritance from the progenitor of Borgu kingdom.

Blueprint reports that the Emir of Okuta, Alhaji Idris Abubakar Shero; that of Ilesha-Baruba, Professor Halidu Ibrahim Abubakar, led other monarchs and district heads to the traditional festival.