Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has described the Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience and peaceful coexistence that projects the country’s cultural heritage in a positive light to the rest of the world.
Speaking at the grand finale of the festival in Argungu, Kebbi State, the President said the annual celebration not only showcases the people’s cultural heritage but also highlights opportunities for harnessing natural resources for national development.
He noted that the festival is a globally renowned event reflecting Nigeria’s rich cultural diversity and vast economic potential.
President Tinubu commended the Kebbi State Government for the successful organisation of the festival and the effective security arrangements put in place to ensure its smooth conduct.
He also praised Governor Nasir Idris for what he described as remarkable development strides within a short period in office and expressed appreciation for naming the ultra-modern Kebbi State Secretariat after him.
The President assured the people of Kebbi State of continued Federal Government support to sustain peace, stability and tourism development.
In his address, Governor Nasir Idris said his administration had recorded significant achievements across key sectors, stating that more than 80 per cent of his campaign promises had been fulfilled within three years.
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He highlighted the expansion of road networks, upgrades of hospitals and healthcare facilities, distribution of agricultural inputs to farmers, and prompt payment of workers’ salaries and entitlements as major milestones. According to him, these interventions have stimulated economic activities and improved citizens’ welfare.
Earlier, the Emir of Argungu, Muhammad Sama’ila-Mera, apologised for a protocol breach that occurred before the President’s arrival, when more than 50,000 fishermen surged into the Matan Fada River in anticipation of the competition.
The monarch described the festival as a proud showcase of Kebbi’s cultural heritage and a major tourism asset with international recognition.
He, however, reminded the Federal Government of the stalled construction of a permanent fishing centre recognised by UNESCO, lamenting that work on the project had been abandoned since 2022, and appealed for urgent intervention to complete it.