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Tag: Argungu

  • Argungu

    Argungu

    By Tunde Olusunle

    Witness this spectacle:

    A division- size motley army charges

    From a thousand metres

    Like the rampaging troops

    In that Freetown showdown

    Nets and calabashes, the weapons

    Of this gritty quest for under-water treasures.

    Rima Rivers

    Magically swings, into a carnival

    At the burst of the starters bugle

    From the metal throat of a rustic barrel.

    Oh! Savour this amphibious fiesta

    As divers dot the face of Rima

    Like a spawning carapace of water hyacinth.

    Savour this froggy forage

    For the heftiest aquatic haul

    From this gritty quest.

    Rima may wear

    A muddy mien, this March afternoon,

    Like a pond after rain.

    Its bed is the closet

    Of a million confounding species,

    Like motherland, the chest

    Of limitless promise

    Waiting for the nets and calabashes

    Of those who would dare

    The slit and sand.

  • Kebbi to restore water flow to Argungu fishing festival river

    Kebbi Government on Tuesday said it had taken measures to restore water flow in Matan Fada River, the site of the Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival.

    Gov. Abubakar Bagudu, who said this when he visited the the river for on-the-spot assessment of the water situation, directed the state Ministry of Works to mobilise equipment to the river to restore water flow.

    Bagudu, who attributed the dryness of the river to climate change, also directed that the flow of water be restored to revive the festival, enhance dry season farming and improve supply of portable water to the people.

    The Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Samaila Mera, had earlier told the governor that the dryness of the river had caused tension among the people as it had affected their ways of life.

    He said the situation had not been witnessed for decades, stressing that the dryness of the river had resulted in the destruction of marine life.

    He said the emirate had communicated the development to the management of the Rima River Basin Development Authority for necessary action.

    The Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival was last held in 2009.

    The internationally recognised festival was said to have begun in the 16th century.

    The event, which went through changes and modifications, was first celebrated in 1934 to mark the end of the centuries-old hostility between the Sokoto caliphate and the Kebbi kingdom.

    The four-day event, marked by pomp and ceremony, draws national and international tourists.

    More than 5,000 fishermen gather close to the river and at the sound of a gong, they all dive into the river to fish with their traditional nets and gourds.

    The person who catches the biggest fish gets a prize.

    A cross section of the people in the area, while interacting with our correspondent, expressed shock at the sudden dryness of the river, saying that it had been a source of pride to the Kabawa tribe and other people in the state.

    NAN

  • Argungu … A tourism ‘hub’ waiting to be tapped

    Argungu … A tourism ‘hub’ waiting to be tapped

    The place of the Argungu Fishing Festival (AFF) is yet to be fully established, analysts agree. This is a tourism hub capable of boosting Kebbi State and Nigeria economically.

    Argungu, a historic setting in Kebbi state with rich natural endowment and cultural heritage, is predominantly a traditional fishing attraction.ýý Its uniqueness has continued to place it on favourable pedestal of history at all times.ý

    The events, which draw participation of locals and neighbouring places as well from Niger Republic, include traditional wrestling, shooting and cultural displays. ýThe festival later got a little boost with the introduction of car racing to give it an international outlook.

    The grand fishing event is competed among thousands of fishermen lined up by the edge of the river and at the sound of a gunshot, jump into the river and have an hour to catch the largest fish.

    The winners take home gifts and money as reward.

    They use only traditional fishing tools. However, many prefer to catch fish by hand to demonstrate their prowess as inherited from their ancestors.

    Unfortunately, the festival has for years been put on hold. The development has adversely affected the facilities and the fishing village.

    It was last held in 2009 with the late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua in attendance, with a 75kg winning catch which took the fitness of four men to hoist onto the scale.

    The town accommodates the famous but ancient Kanta museum, a historical, research and excursion centre in Argungu. There are also historic sites of Sokoto Islamic Jihadists, Zuru (Uhola and Gwalmu annual cultural and farming festivities) and Yauri (land and river borders).

    The state government and the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture in collaboration with the United Nations are said to be working out modalities ýof capturing the event on international platform.

    Doing so will further encourage efforts ýat re-activating all the necessary components and facilities at the fishing village, such as the Grand Fishing Hotel, among others.

     

  • Argungu Fishing Festival: FG, tourism stakeholders to partner Kebbi State

    Argungu Fishing Festival: FG, tourism stakeholders to partner Kebbi State

    Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria ( FTAN ) says it will partner with the Kebbi State Government to revamp the Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival.

    Mr Nura Sani Kangiwa, the Vice President of FTAN ( North West Zone ), made this known in an interview in Abuja on Monday.

    Kangiwa said that this was part of the decisions reached at the 9th National Council on Tourism, Culture and National Orientation conference held in Dutse, Jigawa State recently.

    The National Council on Tourism, Culture and National Orientation is an annual gathering aimed at bringing together stakeholders to discuss ways the sector can contribute effectively to improve the country’s Gross Domestic Products ( GDP ).

    Kangiwa said that part of the decisions reached at the meeting was the revamping of the Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival as it was set to make a big comeback.

    “Based on the resolution recently reached by the National Council on Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, it was agreed that the Federal Government and all tourism stakeholders will partake in the revamping of the festival.

    “So, all tourism stakeholders are going to partner with the Kebbi State Government to ensure that the festival, which has been comatose for some years is revived in order to promote our country as a tourism destination,” he said.

    He said that the Federal Government in its effort to diversify the economy had recognised the creative industry, which  culture and tourism were integral part aimed at creating jobs and improve foreign exchange earnings.

    Read also: Argungu Festival shines at UNESCO’s session

    “This was reflected in the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) 2017 to 2020.

    “Cultural Tourism is a source of revenue generation. As an “invisible export” it creates a flow of foreign currency into the economy of a nation.

    “The Culture and Tourism Sector is gaining more recognition and visibility and evolving economic activities capable of reducing extreme poverty, creating jobs and generating revenues for national growth and development.

    “Therefore, in line with the mission of the current political dispensation for diversification of economic activities, revamping the Argungu International Fishing Festival will no doubt satisfy the yearnings of our people,” he said.

    Kangiwa, who is `Turakin Kebbi’ described the Argungu International Fishng and Cultural Festival as “second to none in Africa’’.

    “It has been a beehive of activities for fun seeking tourists for decades. It is a cornucopia of cultural heritage and it astonished the world in both authenticity and variety of contents.

    “It is a festival that is already a tourism product that is acclaimed worldwide; no doubt UNESCO inscribed it in its prestigious list of Intangible Cultural Heritage for Humanity.

    “A study from the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) reveals that 80 per cent of international tourists visit destinations on the world heritage list.

    “This no doubt gave Kebbi honour, dignity and pride,” he said.

    The Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival is expected to hold in March 2018.

    The four-day yearly festival held in Kebbi is one of Nigeria’s internationally recognised tourism attractions.

    The festival has not been held since the last edition in 2009 largely due to the security situation the country has been faced with and this had posed a huge revenue loss to the local economy and the country.

    On the issue of security, Kangiwa said Kebbi State was undoubtedly the safest state in the country in spite of its diverse religious and ethnic groups, adding that the level of youth restiveness and religious crisis remained the lowest.

    NAN

  • Man, 32, in court for allegedly raping 6-year-old girl

    Man, 32, in court for allegedly raping 6-year-old girl

    A Birnin Kebbi Chief Magistrates’ Court, on Thursday remanded one Umar Lawalli, accused of raping a six-year-old girl.

    The accused, aged 32, is a resident of Yar Fada quarters in Argungu Local Government Area.

    The prosecutor, Insp. Bello Sani told the court that the offence was committed in July, and medical records had indicated that the girl was raped.

    The prosecutor said the offence was contrary to Section 283 of the Penal Code.

    When the charge was read to Lawalli, he pleaded not guilty.

    The Chief Magistrate, Malam Muktar Tafarki, ordered that the accused to be remanded until Dec. 8, when the case will come up for further mention.

    He ordered the prosecution to conclude investigation and forward the case file to the state Director of Public Prosecution, for advice.

    Read Also: Boy, 15, in court for allegedly stealing church bells

  • Argungu polo tourney will help take polo down to grassroots, official

    Argungu polo tourney will help take polo down to grassroots, official

    Baba Kyari, the Secretary-General of Nigeria Polo Federation (NPF), says the Argungu polo tournament will help to take the polo game down to the grassroots.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Argungu Polo Tournament is being organised by Nura Kangiwa, the Patron of NSK Farms.

    The tournament which is in its maiden edition began on Friday and is expected to end on Sunday.

    Speaking to NAN on the tournament’s sidelines, Kyari said he was delighted being part of the event.

    “We came to support something that will take polo down to the grassroots and to demystify the notion that the game of polo is only for the rich.

    “The more we can get the game down to the local areas, especially places like here where it is quite easy to propagate the game because there is already a horse culture, the more the game will continue to develop.

    “This is the reason why I am really in support of this project. It’s quite a new beginning and we hope it will improve with time,” he said.

    Kyari urged other polo players, enthusiasts, philanthropists and corporate organisations to invest in the game’s grassroots development.

    He said this was important because there was little the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports could do to sport the game and the federation.

    NAN reports that Saturday’s games at the competition saw Zaria West Stream continue with their winning run as they whipped Maiduguri El-Kanemi 6-0 in the battle for the Emir’s Cup.

    Also, IGP Strikers slumped to yet another defeat by losing to Dogonyaro Farms, also in the Emir’s Cup.

    Titan/H.Hago beat Keffi Iyatu Farms four to three and a half in the race for the Shehu Kangiwa Cup.

  • Lawmaker buys army recruitment forms for youths in Argungu

    Youths in the six local councils of Argungu, in Kebbi State willing to join the Nigerian Army have been given recruitment forms by the senator representing Kebbi North Senatorial District, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi.

    The gesture is said to be one of the ways Senator Abdullahi intends to tackle youth unemployment in the area, according to a statement from his constituency office in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital.

    The statement said that the APC chieftain recently procured 300 Nigerian Army recruitment forms and distributed to youths from the six Local Council Areas of Argungu, Augie, Kangiwa, Kamba, Bagudu and Suru, all in the Kebbi North Senatorial District of the state.

    According to the statement, the senator has promised to support every successful candidate who sat for the qualifying examination that held on October 8, 2015, including the provision of transport and feeding allowances to each of them.

    In a similar development, Sen. (Dr.) Yahaya A. Abdullahi has taken up the medical treatment of a commercial motor cyclist, (achaba), IbrahimSadiq of Tudun Wada, (Kokani South) who broke his arm in a serious crash, shortly before this year’s Ramadan.

    According to medical sources at the Federal Medical Centre, Birnin Kebbi, the accident was so serious that without the timely intervention of the Kebbi North federal legislator, it could have led to the amputation of the arm. Sen. Abdullahi is also reported to have already deposited N120, 000 for the accident victim’s treatment, promising to do more so that Ibrahim Sadiq can get back on his feet.

    Also, Senator Abdullahi has condemned the arbitrary surge in electricity current in some Argungu communities of Kebbi State, saying no fewer than 11 people have so far been killed by suspected public power surge, in the last three weeks.

    The Senator said he has taken up the issue with the relevant Electricity Distribution Company (DISCO), adding that the deaths from electrocution have created fears and anxiety among the people in the area.

    Besides the high casualty figure, household items and appliances, destroyed during the deadly public electricity system failures, have been estimated in millions of naira. Dr. Abdullahi, however assured that he has discussed the unfortunate incident with members of the Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Power, and to soon present a formal memo to them on the matter.

    According to him, there is every indication that his colleagues will work with him to call on for a comprehensive overhaul and re-strengthening of power lines, across the country, to withstand the impending increase in national power output, particularly as President Muhammadu Buhari sets about tackling the issue of infrastructural decay in the power sector.

  • An artist’s view of Argungu

    An artist’s view of Argungu

    The 79-year-old Argungu Fishing and Cultural Festival, a celebration of peace between the people of Sokoto and Argungu, has attracted new patrons.

    The landscape and activities of the famous festival are being captured on large size canvases by a Lagos-based fine artist, Mr Moses Oghagbon.

    Last month, Oghagbon showcased a collection of new artworks in a solo exhibition tagged: Argungu series 1. It mirrors the many aspects of the festival, which is the biggest of its type in the country. It was held at the Terra Kulture Art Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos between May 18 and 24.

    The Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Sama’ila Muhammed Mera, praised the efforts of the artist at promoting peace in the North which is so much required now.

    “The artist has once again demonstrated that he is, indeed, a good ambassador of Argungu and Argungu Fishing and Cultural Festival,” he said in a note in the exhibition brochure.

    Indeed, Oghagbon, who trained at the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Lagos, specialising in painting, expands the socio-economic landscape of Argunugu to include its rural communities, womanhood before, during and after the festival. He also uses the exhibition to draw attention to the economic life of the people citing agriculture as the major source of revenue in the state with food crops like beans, millet, onions and vegetable as main products.

    Little wonder he offers works such as Finding treasures, For honour, Man and time and Little Amina to celebrate the dignity of labour and the significance of agriculture to the survival of the people. But Argungu rhythm 1, which is the cover design for the exhibition brochure, is symbolic of the festival that is noted for its fishing attraction. It captures an aerial view of a large portion of the river, showing in minute size and colours, heads of fishermen during the fishing contest. Also reflecting the mood of the festival is Argungu Rhythm 2, oil on canvas piece measuring 54 by 54 inches. Unlike the former, Argungu Rhythm 2 is rendered in dark colour with yellow and red colours at the centre that reveals the busy and crowded nature of the fishing expedition. It also shows the procession-like movement of the fishermen.

    Apart from the aquatic scenes of the festival, Oghagbon also captures the long trek by fishermen on the expansive semi-desert land leading to the river, venue of the festival. He uses Finding treasures to depict the hazy harmattan weather in November when the festival is held every year.

    The artist who did his mandatory one-year national youth service in Kebbi, did not leave out the womenfolk, especially the young ones. Ammata 1 and 2 are stylised representations of young girls in Kebbi. But one striking thing about the two paintings is that they are very similar to works by artists such as Tola Wewe or Rom Isichei. Though rendered in mixed media, the symmetry and non-proportional characters of the works are very obvious. However, the colour scheme remains a plus.

  • Argungu fishing festival

    Argungu Fishing festival has been scheduled to hold this month in Kebbi State. This fishing festival is long standing; the first one was held in 1934. The Argungu involves literally thousands of men and boys dashing into the local river intent on scooping up the largest fish in the river, the Nile perch.