Tinubu: Argungu fishing festival will be sustained to promote unity

From Ismail Adebayo, Birnin Kebbi

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has pledge that the annual Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival would be sustained to promote Nigeria’s unity, peace and agricultural activities.

He added that farmers in the state would continue to be given the necessary assistance because Kebbi farmers were committed to improving the administration’s agriculture commitment and 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 its 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 is as a result of his administration’s commitment and the community engagement so that farmers can 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 Ilela in Sokoto; it will be used to support and strengthen Kebbi and Sokoto agriculture programs. That’s our commitment”, the President said.

Speaking earlier, Governor Nasir Idris said the festival was not only cultural but of unity, peace and it projected the image and economic potentials of eKbbi 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 haS the capacity for 25, 000 civil servants and a modern central motor park,”he said.

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

The custodian of Argungu culture and tradition , Emir Muhammed Samaila Meta, in his speech apologized to the Governor for the little hitches at the event.

He said the fishing event was over 500 years old but it became competitive 83 years ago.

Governors in attendance were those of Jigawa, Borno, Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina and Kaduna.

Also in attendance were Ministers of works Dave Umahi, his state counterpart, Bello Goronyo and former INEC chairman, Professor Attahir Jega.

Abubakar Usman from Maiyama, the overall winner of the competition who caught a fish that weighed 59kg was presented with 2 saloon cars and N1 million cash.

The second position was won by Abdullahi Garba from Argungu who caught a fish weighing 40kg. He got a saloon car, N1 million and Hajj slot while the third position was won by Danlansu Dankani from Jega, who caught a fish which weighed 33kg. He got a motorcycle.

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