From Haruna Usman, Birnin Kebbi
As the Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival enters its third day, the eve of the grand fishing finale with full of funfare and glamour of culture, entertainment as well as water events, the Kebbi State Governor, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu was at ” Matan Fada” river to witness the “KABANCI DISPLAY “water event on Friday 13/3/2020.
The emir of Argungu who is the costodian of the Festival, Alhaji Samaila Muhammadu Mera played host to Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the Senate Leader , Dr. Yahaya Abdullahi , Senator Muhammadu Adamu Aliero, the emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Muhammadu Iliyasu Bashar among others.
The Kabanci Display or water event compition took place in the morning .The events comprised men barehand fish catching, the boys barehand fish catching ,two men canoe race, men swimming with pot balanced on the head, water relay, swimming on gourd, boys canoe race and diving compition.
Other events included wild duck catching, save their soul swimming, palm truck climbing and boat regatta which captured the admiration of guests and the crowd .
In the evening,hundreds of horses well dressed by their riders lined up in a colorful durbar procession and the motor rally event flagged off in Abuja also came to an end.
The Sultan of Sokoto, his eminence Alhaji Saad Abubakar and the Oni of Ife , Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi were at the event.
The Oni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi described Argungu fishing festival as a display of rich culture and tradition of Nigerians which brings people closer together.
While acknowledging the presence of Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saad Abubakar, he commended President Muhammadu Buhari, governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu and the emir of Argungu, Alhaji Ismail Muhammadu Mera for making the festival a success.
