Planning Big For Argungu Fishing Festival

Kebbi State government puts measures in place to ensure a bigger and better Argungu Fishing Festival

 

 

By Oluokun Ayorinde /Abuja

Last year, Malam Bello Ya’u nearly brought the enviable history of Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival into disrepute when it was discovered that he had smuggled the 65.95 Kilogramme fish with which he was declared winner of the 2008 edition of the over seven decades old event into the river the night before.

 

However, the good news to tourists and stakeholders in the Nigerian culture community is that such bare-faced cheating is not likely to occur at this year’s edition of the event. Governor of Kebbi State, Alhaji Saidu Dankingari, gave this assurance last week in Abuja while briefing journalists about this year’s edition of the cultural festival slated for between 11-14 March.

The governor of the host state of the popular fishing festival said measures have been put in place to avoid the of fraud that marred last year’s event. Dankingari said the measures include subjecting every fish caught during the fishing event to a test by veterinary doctor to ascertain their true state among others. “We are satisfied that these measures will prevent a recurrence of the fraudulent win of last year,” the Kebbi State chief executive promised.
 

The Governor also told journalists that the state will continue to partner with the private sector to ensure the sustainability of the annual festival. “To ensure that the private sector is placed on a firm footing, we are also making arrangements to re-construct or replace the aging structures at the Argungu Fishing Village and the fishing area at Matan Fada also in Argungu,” he assured. A new logo and website has also been put in place for the festival. Apart from the grand fishing contest which is usually done on the last day, this year’s event will also feature traditional wrestling, traditional boxing, the camel and donkey races, motor rally, agricultural show, cultural dances and archery competition among others.

The Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Samaila Mera, had already revealed that about 500 horses and 100 camels would be decorated for a special Durbar during the festival. According to the traditional ruler, the Argungu Emirate will spend about N13 million on costumes that will be put on by the over 600 animals. The Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Senator Bello Gada has also set up a committee to work with the Kebbi State government on the successful organisation of the festival. Argungu festival began in 1934 to mark the end of centuries of hostilities between the Sokoto Caliphate and the Kebbi Kingdom.

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