The rich cultural heritage of Kebbi State was on full display on Saturday as the 61st edition of the Argungu International Fishing Festival attracted hundreds of fishermen, dignitaries, and tourists from across Nigeria and beyond.
The riverside town of Argungu came alive with excitement as participants competed in the much-anticipated fishing contest, a highlight of the annual festival celebrated around February and March.
Mayama Abubakar Usman emerged winner of the grand prize after catching a massive 59-kilogram fish. Abdullahi Garba from Argungu secured second position with a 40-kilogram catch, while Danlanso Dangani from Jega and Dogo Dauda jointly finished third with 33-kilogram catches each.
At the grand finale, Governor Nasir Idris presented the top prize-winning fish, including the 59-kilogram giant catch, to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The governor announced that the first, second, and third prize-winning fish would be delivered to the President for the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, to prepare a special meal.
The event drew high-profile guests, including the governors of Imo, Borno, Sokoto, and Jigawa states, alongside traditional rulers and cultural enthusiasts.
Speaking at the festival, President Tinubu described the event as a reflection of Nigeria’s rich heritage and unity.
“This festival has endured for 83 years, and it stands as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence among our people,” he said. “It reflects the richness of our culture, the strength of our traditions, and the opportunities that lie in properly harnessing our natural and human resources for national development.”
The President emphasised that security remains vital for sustaining socio-cultural gatherings and boosting tourism.
“A socio-cultural event like this can only thrive and become a tourism attraction where the security atmosphere is conducive. I am pleased to note that significant progress has been made in combating insecurity across Kebbi and other parts of our nation,” he stated.
He noted that peace in Kebbi was a result of deliberate security and community engagement efforts.
“Peace is not accidental; it is the outcome of intelligence gathering and community engagement,” Tinubu added, while reassuring Nigerians that the country would ultimately overcome insecurity.
The Argungu Fishing Festival, first held in 1934, has grown into one of Africa’s biggest cultural and tourism events, attracting fishermen from within and outside Kebbi State who compete for the biggest catch while celebrating culture, tradition, and unity.
