By Al-Amin Ciroma

This week saw more than 100,000 descent people from different states of the federation, including the neighboring countries and international gather on the land of Argungu, Kebbi State for a befitting festival of arts, culture and agricultural display.

They were there to witness the great display of cultural practices at the Argungu Fishing Festival (AFF 2020), which has contributed immensely to the infrastructural and socio-economic growth of the city and its environ and the state at large. The event was earmarked as celebration of peace and reconciliation.

Interestingly, one of the paradigm tools governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu has ensured in the state since his assumption as the governor was peace, unity and reconciliation among the various ethnic groups in the state, including the traditional rulers who are the fathers of the society.

The tool for unity and cohesion has been the key attributes of the Bagudu-led government’s achievements in the Kebbi State. Over time, he had promoted peaceful atmosphere in the state and entire country, through ensuring mutual dialogue and understanding, as well as promoting the diverse mutual interaction and cultural promotion, awareness and open-door policies.

No doubt, the AFF has over the years becomes diversified and has greatly contributed to the infrastructural and socio-economic growth of state by promoting peace and unity by both national and international fame to the state.

This year, the event was unfolded, after about 11 years due to security challenges in the land. The event however, bounced back with bang, in which the governor in his speech at the grand finale of the festival reiterated that AFF is simply a tool of national unity, he added that it is a congregation of all Nigerians and the international community. It has over the years become diversified and secular since inception, until late 1950s when the festival became constantly fielding more and more events like cultural displays, motor racing, durbar, agricultural exhibitions, and so on. The festival began in 1934 in honour of the visiting Sultan of Sokoto, Late Malam Hassan Dan Mu’azu, to mark an end of hostility between the Jihadists and the Kabawa. Since then, it was observed annually until 2010, when it was put on hold due to security challenges confronting the Northern part of the country.

The presence of President Muhammadu at the opening ceremony of the agricultural exhibition this year, brought Argungu into a standstill. The Agric exhibition became fully prepared with the traditional authorities and the people highly expectant of the President. The people have defied the early morning dust to celebrate a cultural tourism even that put the community in the global tourism calendar.

The arena is decorated at both ends with a Rice Pyramids as an evidence of a milestone achieved by the state in the field of agriculture. The 2020’s festival kicked off in Abuja with the revival of Argungu Motor Rally, one of the major events in the festival syllabus.

At the opening ceremony of the Motor Rally in Abuja, the Information and Culture Minister, Lai Mohammed, described it as a testimony to the current administration’s efforts at restoring peace and security in the country. He noted that the participation of only made in Nigeria vehicles at the rally buttressed government’s commitment to building local capacity and diversifying the economy through manufacturing.

He added that another attribute of Argungu Motor Rally is its tendency towards tourism promotion in the country. Alhaji Mohammed used the occasion to congratulate the government and people of Kebbi State for reviving the Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival after 10 years.

The flag-off ceremony was attended by Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State; the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami as well as the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo.

The first three winners of the fishing festival went home with cash prices and many more gifts, including Hajj seats. The festival becomes a breeding ground for future talents, and youths empowerment.

Al-Amin Ciroma
Media Consultant,
MCF. Abuja