Niger’s Horse Race Increase Socio-economic Growth As ‘Renewed Hope’ Wins Big

Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu’s horse, has won the 2024 horse race game in Niger State. The horse came first in the tournament to retain the position.

The president’s horse named “Renewed Hope” retained her African title of the fastest horse in Africa in the tournament held in Bida, Niger State

The grand finale of the tournament held on Sunday and five countries participated, including Cameroon, Chad, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali.

Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, who spoke after the tournament, congratulated the president’s horse, ‘Renewed Hope,’ for taking the first position at the competition.

“I am elated with the unity of purpose that the federation has brought through the organisation of this event in the state,” he said.

The governor also commended the Etsu Nupe, Yahaya Abubakar, for his role in ensuring a hitch-free tournament and sustaining the success of the annual horse racing in Bida.

In his remarks, Etsu Nupe assured that efforts would be intensified to strengthen the cultural norms and values of the people through sports.

Abubakar, who is also the Chairman of the Niger Council of Traditional Rulers, said this became necessary to prevent the cultures and traditions of his people from going extinct.

‘’The race, which is traditional in nature, further provided an opportunity for the display of cultures as various cultural activities were on display,’’ the Etsu Nupe added.

While describing horse racing as a historic event, Abubakar expressed joy that it was fast gaining acceptance in the emirate.

He called on the residents to take full advantage of the economic opportunities of horse racing, especially as the riders from other states and countries were participating in the epochal event.

‘’This event also boosts the socio-economic development of Bida, Niger and Nigeria as a whole. We will sustain this enviable feat.

‘’We are happy that this is the fourth edition of this event, and it has been successful. The next edition holds in Kaduna on June 26, In sha Allahu,” the Etsu Nupe said.

The Coordinator of the National Horse Racing Federation of Nigeria, Sarkin Dawaki Nupe, Abubakar Mustapha-Bida, stressed that more measures would be taken to domesticate the competition in all parts of the country.

Mustapha-Bida, who is also the Chairman, New Niger Development Project pointed out that the event was organised as part of the commemoration of the one year anniversary of the Tinubu Administration, saying that was the reason it had as its theme, “Renewed Hope.”

Mustapha-Bida stated that they had introduced the “division system” in the event so that it could be at par with the extant global best practices in horse racing.

“Nigeria is taking a lead in horse racing in the committee of nations of Africa, we are very happy to be part of history and to have pushed to ensure that this has become a reality,” the Sarkin Dawaki Nupe noted.

Continuing, he maintained, “We have five countries participating, they are Cameroon, Chad, Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali,

“These are our national partners during racing events in Nigeria. It is like an exchange programme. They come to race with us, and then we go there to race with them in their different countries,” Sarkin Dawaki Nupe added.

He expressed the strong belief that “Renewed Hope” would be able to defend her championship in the completing races in kaduna and Kano in June/July

Six Toyota vehicles were presented to the winners of various categories of the race, second positions got N700,000 each, third and fourth received N500,000 and N300,000, respectively.