Tinubu Excited As Over 50,000 Fish At Argungu Festival

President Bola Tinubu yesterday attended the  popular Argungu fishing festival in Argungu, Kebbi State, describing the 83-year-old cultural event as a symbol of peaceful coexistence, unity and resilience.

The president, noticeably excited, said the festival reflected the wealth of Nigeria’s cultural heritage, the strength of the nation’s traditions and opportunities in properly harnessing its natural and human resources for development.

He said, “This festival has endured for 83 years, and it stands as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience and peaceful coexistence among our people, it reflects the richness of our culture.”

Our correspondent reports that over 50,000 fishermen from across the country and abroad participated in the grand finale held in the Matan Fada River in Argungu town.

Selected participants from 19 northern states and Republics of Niger, Benin, Mali, Chad and Liberia took fishing positions early in the day, about two kilometres from the river and later entered the competition after a signal  from the chief priest of water (sarkin ruwa) at about noon.

Though, they commenced fishing before the arrival of President Tinubu and Governor Nasir Idris, they were asked to retreat by the sarkin ruwa on the orders of the custodian of fishing, the Emir of Argungu, Sama’ila Muhammed Mera.

President Tinubu, who visited the state to witness the festival, commissioned the ultra-modern state secretariat completed by governor Nasir Idris which was named after him.

After the commissioning, the president, governor and nine other governors along with many people who came from different parts of world converged at the Matan Fada River where fishing properly commenced around 3:00 Pm.

Tinubu commended Governor Idris for completing the abandoned project which he described as a big milestone in the state.

Governor Nasir Idris informed the president that as a unionist, he completed the secretariat in order to accommodate the over 25,000 civil servants in the state.

Governor Idris said the festival fostered food security and unity among the people of Kebbi and other countries.