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The Moroccan Investment and Export Development Agency (AMDIE), has stated that it will invest in the conservation of an 8,000-year-old canoe, “Dufuna”, in Yobe as part of efforts to develop tourism in the state.
Alhaji Mamman Mohammed, Gov. Mai Mala Buni’s Director-General, Press and Media Affairs, stated this in a statement within the week in Damaturu.
Dufuna is the world’s second-oldest known boat. It is a dugout canoe discovered in 1987 by a Fulani cattle herdsman a few kilometres from the village of Dufuna in the Fune area, not far from the Komadugu Gana River in Yobe.
In 1994, archaeologists Peter Breunig and Garba Abubakar, from Frankfurt University, Germany, and the University of Maiduguri, respectively, excavated the site.
The canoe was dug out over two weeks by 50 labourers and was found to be 8.4 meters in length, 50cm wide and 5 cm thick. It was found in a waterlogged state resting on a sandy bed with layers of clay between it and the surface protecting it.
The canoe had been radiocarbon-dated at least twice and was dated to 6556-6388 BCE and 6164-6005 BCE, making it the oldest known boat in Africa and the second-oldest worldwide.
Mohammed said Mr Yassine El Ahyani, Head of Emerging Industries, Moroccan Investment and Export Development Agency, made the pledge on Monday in Rabat, when he received the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Baba Wali, in Rabat.
“The agency is aware of the rich and historic canoe in Yobe, and the enormous tourism potential it has for the state and country.
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“The canoe would turn around the fortunes of the state with massive economic turnover. The Dufuna Canoe is one of the very few artefacts on the face of the earth that is very suitable for academic and historical research.
“It can generate employment, create wealth and infrastructural development for the state,” Yassine said.
In his remarks, Wali, who led the state government delegation to Morocco, assured that the government would provide an enabling environment for investment in Dufuna and other age-long cultural festivals in the state for international prominence.
“This is in line with the policy of the Buni administration to provide employment opportunities to our youth in hospitality, transportation and tour guide, among others.
“The government is most willing to partner with all Moroccan investors to explore this and other untapped potentials in the state,” he said.
The Dufuna canoe, which is recognised as the oldest watercraft in Africa, symbolises the rich history and heritage of the region.
The canoe was found in the village of Dufuna, which is located between Potiskum and Gashua, in Yobe State.
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