The 61st Argungu Fishing and Cultural Festival in Kebbi State was spectacular not just because it is the first in a long while but because it is symbolic as the beginning of the end of insecurity in the country. That was the message by President Bola Tinubu who was the special guest of honour at the event held recently.
While commending the organisers for a festival that “has endured for 83 years and stands as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence among our people”, the president said cultural activities can only thrive where there is security. He congratulated Governor Nasir Idris and the security agencies adding that “The organisation, security arrangement, and internal outlook of the event demonstrate what is possible when leadership is purposeful and inclusive.”
The president assured that his administration would continue to give the security agencies the necessary support to ensure that they stamp out banditry and other forms of terrors. He restated the commitment of his administration to create an enabling environment for farmers, traders and fishermen to ply their trades. According to the president, “Working jointly with the state government, we will continue to give our farmers the necessary support. Kebbi State is noted for its commitment to food security and agrarian cultivation. We will work together to make it a great economic success.”
The festival returned this year after six years of hiatus. And that was one reason that made the Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Sama’ila Muhammad Mera very happy. He told the president that the people of Argungu were not just honoured by his presence but they also see in the presidential presence an identification with the values of courage, reconciliation, peace and friendship as represented by the festival.
The winner of this year’s fishing festival Abubakar Usman, from Maiyama local government area of the state caught a 59 kilogramme fish. He went home with a sum of one million naira and two new cars.
The second position was won by Abdulahi Garba from Argungu who caught a 40 kilogramme fish and was awarded with N750,000, a brand-new car and a trip to hajj. The third position was a tie between two contestants from Kogi and Jigawa states with their fish weighing 33 kilogramme. They each were gifted one million and a motorcycle.
The four fish were presented to President Tinubu as souvenirs.
