Abubakar Usman from Maiyama Local Government Area of Kebbi State on Saturday emerged overall winner at the Argungu International Fishing Festival, landing the biggest catch of 59kg. Usman went home with two brand new vehicles from Toyota, donated by the Sokoto State Government, alongside a N1 million cash prize.
Abdullahi Garba from Argungu Local Government Area finished second with a 40kg catch, earning a Toyota saloon car donated by WACOTT Rice Mills Limited and N1 million.
Third place went jointly to Danlansu Dankani of Jega and another contestant, each presenting fish weighing 34kg. They received N1 million and a motorcycle each.
Speaking at the grand finale in Argungu, Special Guest of Honour, President Bola Tinubu described the festival as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience and peaceful coexistence. He said the event reflects cultural richness and highlights opportunities in harnessing natural resources for national development.
The President commended the state government for the organisation and security arrangements, noting progress in tackling insecurity across the state and the country. He also praised Governor Nasir Idris for development strides and thanked him for naming the ultra-modern state secretariat after him, assuring continued federal support to sustain stability and tourism.
In his remarks, Governor Idris said his administration had achieved major milestones across key sectors, claiming over 80 per cent fulfilment of campaign promises within three years. He listed infrastructure expansion, hospital upgrades, agricultural input distribution, and prompt payment of workers’ entitlements among key achievements.
Responding, the Emir of Argungu, Muhammad Sama’ila-Mera, apologised for a protocol breach before the President’s arrival, when more than 50,000 fishermen surged into the Matan Fada River ahead of the event.
He described the festival as a showcase of Kebbi’s cultural heritage and reminded the Federal Government of the stalled construction of a permanent fishing centre recognised by UNESCO, lamenting that work had been abandoned since 2022.
