Argungu Fishing Festival 2020: Biggest Catch Wins Over N8m, Cars, Others
Nigeria’s biggest fishing festival, the Argungu Fishing Festival, which witnessed thousands of participants ended with the biggest fish caught during the competition weighing 78kg (171.9 pounds), while the winner, Abubakar Yau, from Augie L.G.A, Kebbi State, won over N8 million grand prize, two cars and hajj seats.
The Saturday grand finale of the international festival was hosted after 11 years at the Matan-Fada River, by the Kebi state government.
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Bala yahaya Bagaye, from Augie L.G.A, Kebbi State was the runner up after he also caught a fish which weighed (75kg), while Maiwake sani, from Silami L.G.A, Sokoto State, ended as the second runner up with a fish weighing 70kg.
The Chairman, Northern Governors Forum, Simon Lalong, donated N3 million, N2 million and N1million to the first, second and third positions respectively.
Hassan Bello, Executive Secretary, Nigeria Shippers Council, also presented N1 million N750,000 and N500,000 to the first, second and the third positions, while a hajj seat was added to the third position.
Similarly, Aminu Tambuwal, governor of Sokoto state, donated N3 million, N2 million and N1 million to the first, second and third positions respectively., and a Hajj seat for the third position.
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The West African Cotton Company Limited (WACOT), also donated a new car, N1 million and Hajj seat to first the position, while Zainab Bagudu, wife of Kebbi State Governor, gave out a brand-new car to him.
Maltina Nigeria Limited donated tricycles (KEKE NAPEP) and motorcycles to the second and third prize winners respectively.
Meanwhile, the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, gave N5 million to be shared among all participants.
Lawan said on the occasion that, “when I looked at the fishing pond, I said ‘oh God we are blessed’; what we only need is for us to harness the resources that we are endowed with in this country.
“The history of the festival is long, dating back to 1934. I learned that the celebration could not hold for over 10 years due to insecurity.
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“We have to thank God for making it possible and commend our armed forces for their efforts to secure of our nation.
“We will not get tired of making sure that you have a good working environment.
“This is an international event that drew people from neigbouring countries; this is a bond that must be sustained.”
The 2020 grand finale witnessed attendance by governor of Sokoto, Aminu Tambuwal and Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu.
Other dignitaries were the Ooni of Ife, Ogunwusi (Ojaja ll), the Sultan of Sokoto, Sultan Abubakar ll and the Emir of Argungu, Samai’la Mohammed Meri.
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