By Ghazali Ibrahim
The 61st Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival was held this weekend, marking a celebrated return of the iconic event after it had not taken place for six years due to insecurity and other challenges. The festival was last staged in 2020 before a prolonged pause that kept it off the calendar until this year’s revival.
The annual celebration, held on the banks of the UNESCO-listed Matan Fada River, saw thousands of fishermen from across Nigeria and neighbouring countries gather to compete in the legendary fish-catching contest, using only traditional nets, gourds and bare hands.P
One of the highlights of the festival was the record-breaking catch by Abubakar Usman, who landed a 59-kilogram fish, earning top honours, a cash prize and other rewards.
President Bola Tinubu, who was present for the event, described the return of the festival as a symbol of unity, resilience and peace in a region that has struggled with insecurity in recent years.
Beyond the fishing competition, the festival featured traditional wrestling, music, dance and cultural exhibitions, reinforcing its role as one of Nigeria’s most important cultural gatherings and a major tourist draw.
The festival, which originated in 1934 to celebrate peace between Sokoto caliphate and kebbi Kingdom, was suspended for years due to security concerns but has gradually resumed, becoming a key cultural tourism event in the country’s calendar.
Despite ongoing security concerns in parts of northern Nigeria, the event’s successful staging this year has been celebrated as a sign of hope, cultural pride and renewed community spirit.
