Tourists Commends Argungu Fishing Festival 

By Godwin Ukaa, Birni Kebbi 

Local and International Tourists participating at this year   Argungu Fishing and Cultural Festival in Kebbi State, in North Western Nigeria, have commended the uniqueness of the fishing festival describing it one of the best cultural events in Africa. 

The tourists believed, that if the annual fishing event is better managed and private initiative allowed, the fishing and cultural event   would eventually become one of the world’s major event. 

Value Added 

The cultural event culminated into series of activities such as agricultural show. 

The Governor of Kebbi State, Saidu Dakingari said that the agric fair was meant to expose the state potential to the outside world.  

According to him, the State was already collaborating with the Chinese government in the area of developing the state peasant farming into a modern industrial farming system. 

The Exhibition 

The State Governor, some senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, traditional rulers and other guests from the Republic of Niger, inspected the Agricultural exhibition from the 21 Local Government Areas of Kebbi State. 

Most of the agricultural products exhibited include millet, cowpea, rice, guinea corn, cassava and fruits of different varieties. 

Meanwhile, the musical fiesta organised at the venue kept the cultural village alive all through the night into the early hours of the day. 

Musical Show  

Cultural troupes from Kano and Kebbi States alongside the National Troupe of Nigeria as well as a troupe from the Republic of Niger entertained visitors at the annual festival. 

 The Nigerien cultural display stole the show as the spectators demand for more performance from the Nigerian born “world renowned mask man”, “Lagbaja”. 

Other cultural events continue on Friday into the main fishing festival which climaxed on Saturday. 

Proactive Move  

Meanwhile, the Kebbi State Government says the Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival would henceforth be handed over to the private sector for management.

Alhaji Salilu Aliero, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, said the move was to ensure effective and efficient management of the tourist centre and the festival.

He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the festival that the involvement of the private sector would promote dynamism
in the tourism sector.

In his words, ``this will also translate to the festival being self sustaining in the future. Nearly 70 to 80 per cent of the money spent on the festival is from the private sector.''

Aliero also announced that the state government planned to provide a Zoo and Games Reserve in the state to enhance tourism.

He said the festival now serves as a source of income to the people of the state. 

Edited by Qasim Akinreti additional Report from NAN/GO