Kebbi

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. Read Also: FG Launches FarmerMoni Programme, 22,000 Farmers to Benefit 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.

Kebbi State is positioning the 2026 Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival as a strategic platform to attract foreign investment and boost economic growth, government officials have said. The Kebbi Investment Promotion Agency (KIPA) disclosed that investors from Europe and Asia have indicated strong interest in attending the festival, describing the development as the most promising investor engagement linked to the cultural event in recent years. In a statement made available to journalists on Tuesday, the Director-General of KIPA, Dr. Muhammad Kabir Kamba, said the state government is leveraging the festival to showcase Kebbi’s vast agricultural, solid mineral and livestock potential to international partners. According to him, the growing interest from foreign investors is a direct outcome of Governor Nasir Idris’s investment-focused diplomacy and reforms aimed at improving the business climate in the state. Read Also: Lere: A Historic Fulani Settlement and Cultural Crossroads in Kaduna Birnin Kudu: An Ancient Settlement With a Modern National Footprint 300-Year-Old Kano Farming Settlement Faces Extinction Over Sand Mining “The interest shown by foreign investors is a direct result of Governor Nasir Idris’s investment diplomacy. They are coming to verify the quality and availability of raw materials in Kebbi State for possible commercial ventures,” Kamba said. He explained that consultative engagements with local business operators and indigenous entrepreneurs are ongoing to ensure that discussions during the festival translate into concrete partnerships and long-term investments. Kamba added that Governor Idris has directed all relevant stakeholders to ensure a coordinated and befitting reception for visiting investors, stressing that the festival goes beyond cultural celebration to include business development and economic diversification. As part of the programme, a special investment forum will be held during the festival, bringing together foreign investors, state institutions and organised local businesses to explore opportunities in agro-processing, mineral development and value-chain industries. To prepare for international visitors, KIPA has commenced sensitisation of hotel owners and hospitality operators across the state, urging them to upgrade facilities to meet acceptable operational and service standards. “The government wants visitors to experience Kebbi’s best hospitality and business environment. Hotel facilities must meet standard expectations,” Kamba stated. First held in 1934, the Argungu Fishing Festival is one of Africa’s most renowned cultural events, attracting tourists, diplomats and cultural enthusiasts from across the world. The festival gained global prominence in the 1970s and early 2000s before being suspended in recent years due to security and logistical challenges. Officials said the 2026 edition marks a major revival following extensive reforms, security improvements and infrastructural preparations. In a related development, Governor Idris recently signed a law authorising the issuance of Certificates of Occupancy for residential, commercial and industrial lands, a move analysts say will further enhance ease of doing business and encourage property-based investments in the state. Economic experts believe the return of the Argungu Festival could reposition Kebbi as a cultural tourism hub while expanding non-oil revenue sources. Meanwhile, the Deputy Governor of Kebbi State and Chairman of the Festival Organising Committee, Senator Umar Abubakar Tafida, said preparations for the event were in their final stages. “We are determined to deliver a world-class festival that projects our culture, drives tourism and energises our economy,” Tafida said. The 2026 Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival is scheduled to hold from February 11 to 14, 2026.

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday granted bail to former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, along with his wife and son, in the sum of N500 million each. This was contained in a statement from the court during the ruling on the bail application, which also included stringent conditions for their release. The judge ordered that the sureties must own landed property in the Asokoro, Maitama, or Gwarinpa areas of the Federal Capital Territory. The title documents of the properties are to be submitted to the court for verification by the Deputy Chief Registrar, and the sureties must depose to an affidavit of means. Read Also: APC Eyes Control of 30 States as Governor Yusuf Considers Defection Beyond Betrayal: The Real Politics Behind Abba Kabir Yusuf’s Calculated Move Atiku, Obi, Amaechi Jostle for ADC Ticket as Ex-VP Rejects Calls to Step Aside The court further directed that Malami, his wife, and son must deposit their international passports and other travel documents with the court. Justice Nwite also ruled that Malami must not travel outside the country without prior permission from the court. The case has been adjourned to a later date, which will be communicated to the parties for further proceedings.