FG to sustain Argungu Fishing Festival for national unity, agricultural development

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By El-Yakub Dabai, Birnin Kebbi

President Bola Tinubu has pledged that the annual Argungu international fishing and cultural festival would be sustained to promote Nigeria’s unity, peace and agricultural activities.

He assured that farmers in the state would continue to be given the necessary assistance because Kebbi farmers were committed to improving in the administration’s agricultural drive and, adding that the federal government would support the state to achieve its objectives on food security.

The President while commending Governor Nasir Idris, Emir of Argungu, fishermen and the international communities that made the 2026 a success said his administration would support the 83 year old fishing festival to boost the agriculture and peace of Kebbi State and it’s sister state, Sokoto: ” by tapping the available agricultural resources and security architecture of the area to implement it’s agriculture programs for the benefit of the people”.

He said “The Argungu fishing festival reflects the strength of our culture and tradition. It offers us the opportunity to harness the state’s natural resources.

“Kebbi security architecture arrangement for the event was superb. Special arrangements are on going between the federal, state government and security agencies to boost security in kebbi and other states of the nation” .

The President added that the improvement in the nation’s security was thr result of his administration’s commitment and the community engagement which enabled farmers go about their farming business without hinderance.

“This festival is about unity and peace. We will support it. We are deliberately investing in program that includes women and youth development.

“I have identified the irrigation opportunity around Illela town in Sokoto State. It will be used to support and strengthen kebbi and Sokoto agriculture programs. That’s our commitment”, the President said.

Speaking earlier, Governor Idris said the festival was not only cultural but of unity, peace and it projected the image and economic potentials of Kebbi and Nigeria while offering the opportunities: “I’m Happy the President is in Kebbi not only to witness the Argungu fishing festival but to commission the ultra modern Secretariat that have the capacity for 25, 000 civil servants and a modern central motor park”, he stated.

He said the Argungu fishing festival has always made Kebbi a meeting point for multinationals who comes to witness the cultural event with othe Africans and as well boost the state economy.

The custodian of Argungu culture and tradition, Emir Muhammed Samaila Mera, in his speech apologized to the Governor for the little hitches at the event, however revealing that the fishing event was over 500 years old but it becomes competitive event 83 years ago.

Governors in attendance at the event included that of Jigawa, Borno, Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina and Kaduna as well as Ministers of Budget and National Planning, Atiku Bagudu, Works, Dave Umahi, his state counterpart, Bello Goronyo, Humanitarian Affairs, Dr Yusuf Tanko Sununu and former INEC chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega.

The 1st winner of the fishing competition is Abubakar Usman from Maiyama with 59kg fish. He was presented with 2 saloon cars and a million naira cash.

The second position was won by Abdullahi Garba from Argungu who caught a fish weighing 40kg. He got a saloon car with a million naira and Hajj seat while the 3rd position was won by Danlansu Dankani from Jega. He caught fish weighing 33kg. He got a motorcycle.