President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured Nigerians that his administration will sustain the gains recorded in the fight against banditry, kidnapping and other forms of criminality across the country.
President Tinubu gave the assurance while speaking at the grand finale of the 61st Argungu International Fishing Festival in Kebbi State.
He described the festival as a testament to the return of security in Kebbi and neighbouring states.
According to him, the Argungu festival showcases the country’s heritage and projects Nigeria positively to the rest of the world.
He noted that significant progress has been made in tackling insecurity across Kebbi, the North-West and other parts of the country.
“The peace citizens of the country are witnessing in the North-West is not accidental. It is the result of sustained investment in security, intelligence gathering, and community engagement.
“My administration is still working very hard through coordinated efforts with the state government and security agencies. We have men and women in uniform who are putting their lives on the line to safeguard our sovereignty and maintain our peace.
“Let me reiterate my administration’s determination in the fight against any form of insecurity and, Insha Allah, it will be won.
“Our farmers, including the fishermen, traders and families, will be able to go about their lives without fear,” the President added.
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He commended the security operatives for the adequate arrangements that ensured the Argungu festival took place safely and successfully.
President Tinubu also praised the organisers of the festival and reaffirmed his commitment to peace, empowerment, food security and infrastructural development in the country.
In his remarks, the Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, thanked President Tinubu for honouring the state with his presence.
Governor Idris reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to sustaining the festival as a platform for cultural preservation, tourism development and economic empowerment.
The Governor highlighted some achievements of his administration, including the distribution of fertilisers, improved seedlings, agrochemicals and farm implements free of charge to farmers, thereby increasing productivity and supporting the Federal Government’s food security agenda.
He also stated that there have been significant improvements in civil service welfare, as well as the implementation of the new minimum wage and the sustained payment of salaries, pensions, gratuities and other entitlements.
According to him, his administration has constructed and furnished thousands of classrooms and mega schools across the emirate zones, recruited teachers, and sustained scholarship programmes for students studying locally and internationally.
Earlier, the Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Sama’ila Muhammad Mera, expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for honouring the festival.
“Your presence today, Mr President, is not an ordinary honour. It is a profound identification with these core values, courage, reconciliation, peace and friendship.
“These are the values that guide national cohesion, good governance and progress, which are pillars of Mr President’s Renewed Hope agenda,” the Emir noted.
Sama’ila Mera applauded the President’s initiatives under his Renewed Hope agenda.
Announcing the results of the fishing competition, the Deputy Governor of Kebbi State and Chairman of the Organising Committee, Senator Umar Abubakar Tafida, said Abubakar Usman from Maiyama Local Government Area emerged overall winner with a 59kg catch. He received a cash prize of N1 million and two brand-new cars.
Abdullahi Garba from Argungu emerged second with a 40kg catch. The state government awarded him N750,000, a brand-new car and a Hajj seat.
The third position was jointly won by two contestants from Jigawa and Kogi states with a 33kg catch each. They received N1 million and a motorcycle each.