Argungu festival kicks off with record 59kg catch

The 61st Argungu International Fishing Festival started on Saturday at Mata Fada in Argungu town, Kebbi State. The biggest fish caught on the opening day weighed 59 kilograms.

The Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, shared the news in a statement on Saturday afternoon. He described the catch as the largest recorded so far in this year’s competition.

The festival attracted thousands of fishermen, tourists, and culture lovers from across Nigeria and other countries. Excitement was high as many of the expected 40,000 participants rushed into the river shortly after noon, even before the official opening ceremony and before President Bola Tinubu arrived.

President Tinubu had earlier visited Birnin Kebbi, the state capital, where he commissioned two major projects — the newly built State Secretariat and the upgraded Central Motor Park. He then travelled to Argungu to officially open the festival.

The Argungu Fishing Festival began in 1934. It was first organised to celebrate peace between the Sokoto Caliphate and the Kebbi Kingdom.

Over the years, the festival has grown into a world-famous cultural event. It now includes fishing competitions, traditional music and dance, wrestling, arts and crafts exhibitions, and other cultural activities.