59KG CATCH STEALS THE SHOW AT ARGUNGU FISHING FESTIVAL
By: Safiya Abdulrahim Dabban
Colour, culture and competition lit up Argungu as the 61st Argungu International Fishing Festival drew crowds from across Nigeria and beyond. The ancient riverside town came alive with chants and cheers as Mayama Abubakar Usman emerged the overall winner, hauling in a massive 59-kilogram fish to claim top honours.
The festival, which marks the beginning of the fishing season in Kebbi, was graced by Bola Tinubu, alongside Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris and other dignitaries. Tinubu described the festival as a living symbol of Nigeria’s unity and cultural strength, noting that it has endured for decades as a celebration of peace and shared heritage.
He stressed that security remains vital for preserving cultural events and turning them into global tourism attractions, assuring Nigerians that sustained efforts are being made to maintain peace across the country. The calm atmosphere in Kebbi, he added, reflects deliberate collaboration between communities and security agencies.
Beyond the prizes and pageantry, the Argungu festival once again reinforced its place as one of Nigeria’s most iconic cultural gatherings, blending tradition, competition and national pride on the banks of the river.