President links Argungu’s success to improved security
President Bola Tinubu has hailed the Argungu International Fishing Festival as a symbol of unity and resilience, describing the 83-year-old cultural celebration as an enduring expression of peaceful coexistence.
Speaking on Saturday in Argungu, Kebbi state, the president said the annual festival reflected the depth of Nigeria’s cultural heritage and the possibilities inherent in its natural and human resources.
“This festival has endured for 83 years, and it stands as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience and peaceful coexistence among our people,” Tinubu 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.”
Tinubu said improved security was essential for cultural events of such scale to flourish and attract visitors, linking the success of this year’s festival to progress made against insecurity in Kebbi and elsewhere.
“A socio-cultural event like this can only thrive and become a tourism attraction where the security atmosphere is conducive,” he said. “I am pleased to note that significant progress has been made in combating insecurity across Kebbi and other parts of our nation.
“We are still working very hard through coordinated efforts between the federal government, state governments and security agencies.”
The relative calm in the region, he added, was the product of deliberate action. “The peace we are witnessing today in this region is not accidental; it is the outcome of intelligence gathering and community engagement.”
The president assured Nigerians that the fight against banditry and insurgency would be won, saying farmers, fishermen, traders and families would continue to carry out their activities without fear.
Held annually between February and March, the Argungu Fishing Festival marks the start of the fishing season in the riverside town in Kebbi state. The event draws competitors from within and beyond the state, all vying for the largest catch.
This year’s winning fish weighed 59kg and was caught by Abubakar Usman from Mayama. Abdullahi Garba of Argungu secured second place with a 40kg catch, while Danlanso Dangani from Jega and Dogo Dauda shared third place with fish weighing 33kg each.
Among those in attendance were the Kebbi state governor, Nasir Idris, and governors from Imo, Borno, Sokoto and Jigawa states.