President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has described the 61st Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival as a strong indication of restored stability and normalcy in Kebbi State and across Nigeria.
This was conveyed in a statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
Speaking at the grand finale of the festival in Argungu on Saturday, the President pledged sustained Federal Government support for tourism, agriculture, food security, and rural development.
He commended the Kebbi State Government for successfully organising the historic cultural event, which attracted over 50,000 fishermen from across Nigeria and neighbouring countries.
“Congratulations. Well done. Very good show. Remarkable history. This festival has endured for 83 years and stands as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence among our people,” Tinubu said.
The President lauded the security arrangements that ensured a safe and successful event, noting that such socio-cultural gatherings thrive only in a peaceful and secure environment.
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According to him, the relative peace being experienced in Kebbi and other parts of the country is a result of sustained investment in security, intelligence gathering, and community engagement.
He assured Nigerians that the fight against insecurity, including banditry and insurgency, would be decisively won, enabling farmers, fishermen, and traders to carry out their activities without fear.
Tinubu also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting farmers and rural communities, noting Kebbi State’s strategic role in advancing food security and agrarian development.
Highlighting the importance of culture in national unity, he said the Argungu Festival continues to promote friendship, healthy competition, and Nigeria’s rich heritage on the global stage.
Before attending the festival, the President commissioned several infrastructure projects in Birnin Kebbi, including the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Secretariat Complex, a new modern motor park, a three-lane dual carriageway, Kauran Gwandu College of Nursing and Midwifery Sciences, Ambursa, and the dualised Old Argungu By-Pass Road.
In his remarks, Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, appreciated the President for honouring the state with his presence and reiterated his administration’s commitment to sustaining the festival as a platform for cultural preservation, tourism development, and economic growth.
He outlined key achievements of his administration, including infrastructure expansion, healthcare improvements with over 1,800 health workers recruited, and the rehabilitation of hospitals and primary healthcare centres.
The governor also highlighted agricultural interventions such as the free distribution of fertilisers, improved seedlings, and farm inputs to farmers, as well as improvements in civil service welfare and education.
The Emir of Argungu, Sama’ila Muhammad Mera, expressed delight over the return of the festival after nearly six years, describing it as a symbol of courage, unity, and reconciliation.
He commended the President’s Renewed Hope agenda, citing initiatives in healthcare, education, and infrastructure as key drivers of national development.
Meanwhile, Abubakar Usman from Maiyama Local Government Area emerged winner of the fishing competition with a 59kg catch, winning N1 million and two cars, while other contestants received cash prizes, vehicles, and additional rewards.
