Taraba to Host International Leaders at Fishing Festival

News in brief:

-Taraba State will host global dignitaries, including Dickon Mitchell and John Dramani Mahama, at the 2026 Nwonyo Fishing Festival.

-The event will feature cultural activities in Wukari and the main fishing competition at Nwonyo Lake.

The Taraba State Government has concluded plans to host top international dignitaries at the 2026 edition of the Nwonyo Fishing Festival scheduled for April 17 and 18.

Among the expected guests are Dickon Mitchell and John Dramani Mahama, while Nigeria’s president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will attend as Special Guest of Honour.

Taraba Positions Festival as Tourism Showcase

Addressing journalists in Jalingo, Chairman of the Publicity Sub-Committee, Barr. Danjuma Adamu, said that Agbu Kefas approved the dates for the festival as part of efforts to reposition the state as a major cultural and tourism destination.

According to him, the event will showcase Taraba’s rich cultural heritage while promoting its tourism potential to the international community.

Festival activities will begin on April 17 with Jukun Youth Day at the palace of the Aku Uka of Wukari in Wukari. The programme will feature cultural displays, march past and traditional processions by youths from the Jukun ethnic group.

Simon Bako Lalong is expected to deliver a keynote address on the theme “Rooted in Culture, United in Diversity: Jukun Youths for Peace and Progress”. The event will also include the conferment of royal titles by the Aku Uka of Wukari, Ishaku Adda Ali Matakhitswen.

Nwonyo Lake to Host Fishing Competition

The main highlight of the celebration will be the fishing festival on April 18 at Nwonyo Lake in Ibi.

The event will be held under the leadership of retired Nigerian Army General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma.

The Nwonyo Fishing Festival remains one of Taraba State’s biggest cultural events, attracting tourists and participants from across Nigeria and beyond while highlighting the state’s tourism and cultural heritage potential.