allAfrica.com: Nigeria: Fun, Thrills of Argungu Fishing Festival (Page 1 of 2)

This year's edition of Argungu Fishing Festival has come and gone, but the memories and excitements of the cultural event still linger. For the lucky winners in this year's keenly contested festival, they could not have asked for more. Saka Ibrahim writes

The 58th edition of the Argungu International fishing festival has come and gone, but its memories will forever remain indelible in the minds of tourists in terms of organization. Pundits say this is the best in the history of the festival which started several decades ago. At the end of the three days' event, a 37 year old man, Mallam Bello ya'u Argungu came first in this year's fishing festival with his biggest catch weighing 65.95 kilograms.

One of the sponsors of the fishing festival, Maltina, gave him a new Honda car, the state government rewarded him with a Hajj seat and fishing equipment, MTN gave him a coloured television set while Virgin Air promised to take care of his medical expenses for one year. His fish was also auctioned by the Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Sahad Abubakar for N1 million.

Mallam Sani Tungai Zazzakawa, who came second with his catch weighing 43.25 kilograms also got a reward of Keke Napep and a generator set from Maltina, Hajj seat and fishing equipment from the state government.

The third person Malam Abdullahi Gummi from Zamfara State with his catch weighing 38.95 kilograms received a motorcycle and generator set from Maltina, Hajj seat and fishing equipment from the state government.

The first lady Hajiya Turai Yar'Adua represented by the wife of the vice president, Dame Patience Jonathan was impressed by this year's fishing festival which involved about 1000 fishermen.

The first lady reiterated government commitment to develop culture and tourism in the country adding that "All hands must be on deck to diversify the nation's economy from the oil sector. I commend the state government for taking the initiative in the promotion of culture and tourism through private sector participation".

Hajiya Yar'Adua assured that the Federal Government in collaboration with the state government will make Argungu International fishing and cultural festival occupy a permanent place in the Nigerian tourism calendar.

Kebbi State Governor, Alhaji Saidu Dakingari said the yearly event had made Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara states known all over the country. He described Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival as a melting point for tourists across the world and announced that the festival would continue to be hosted annually between March 12 and 15 every of year.

The Minister for Culture and Tourism, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode in his speech at the occasion said Argungu Festival has become a rallying point for fishermen in Nigeria especially in Argungu Emirate and their counterparts in Niger and Benin Republics. He said his ministry will continue to support the festival which is already in the culture calendar.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Samaila Mohammed Mera said Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival was all about celebration of culture and tourism and the promotion of socio-economic and cultural values of the people of the area.

According to the traditional ruler: "This festival since 1934 has served as a forum for promotion of peace, unity and marketing of the rich cultural heritage of our people to the whole world". The royal father also thanked the federal, state and local governments for being co-sponsors of the event.

The festival was attended by over 3000 tourists and top government officials including the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar, four governors, three deputy governors and ambassadors of Italy, Korea and China among other members of the diplomatic corps.

The event has become the premiere tourism attraction with international recognition in and outside Nigeria. Every year people from all over the world converge on the historic town of Argungu in Kebbi State to enjoy not only the friendly atmosphere of the festival, its fascinating event, entertainment and fishing competition but also to meet and mix with people of different nationalities at the tourist resort in a spirit that transcends artificial barriers.

The genesis of the event is believed to have a link to the historic visit to Argungu by Sultan Hassan Dan Mua'zu of the Sokoto caliphate in the year 1934. it was on this occasion that the fishing event for the first time in history was organized in a grand style participated by fisher men from all the nooks and crannies of Argungu emirate as part of the civic reception in honour of the visiting royal father.

Before then, the fishing competition was usually organized as an informal get together of local fisher men living within the immediate vicinity of Argungu, simply to celebrate end of seasonal harvest. The rivers and the patches of lakes dotted every where to provide venues for the fishing activities which has become famous among 'Kabawa' ethnic group in the state.

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