President Muhammadu Buhari has said his government will encourage festivals and other tourism activities as tourism helps boost the economy.
The President spoke while declaring the 2020 Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival open last Thursday. He said festivals such as the Argungu fishing festival help the nation celebrate her diversities and collectively bring people together.
In addition, he said the massive job creation in the tourism industry makes it important for the sector to be encouraged and promoted. According to him, the festival was last celebrated 11 years ago due to security challenges. He said the federal government’s tackling of security challenges has created a conducive environment for the festival to be once again celebrated.
In his welcome address, the Kebbi State Governor, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, thanked the president for his giant strides in different areas of the nation’s life. He said the federal government has created a conducive environment for the festival to be celebrated 11 years since the last edition.
Before President Buhari’s address, there a flamboyant Durbar display by the Argungu Emirate led by the Emir of Argungu Alhaji Sama’ila Mera. It was a display of colour, horsemanship and different display of the culture and heritage of the people of Argungu.
Also speaking on the festival, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the revival of the Argungu Motor Rally, the traditional start of the annual Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival, is a testimony to the success of the Buhari administration’s efforts at restoring peace and security in the country.
Alhaji Mohammed, who was speaking at the flag-off of the Argungu Motor Rally, also said the fact that only vehicles assembled in Nigeria are participating in the rally shows the administration’s commitment to building local capacity and diversifying the economy through manufacturing.
He said another attribute of the Argungu Motor Rally is that it will promote tourism in the country.
Alhaji Mohammed congratulated the government and people of Kebbi State for the revival of the Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival which has not been held for the past 10 years due to security considerations.
”Specifically, the Motor Rally will cover 13 towns and cities – from Abuja to Keffi to Kachia to Kaduna to Funtua to Gusau to Sokoto to Shagari to Dogondaji to Tambuwal to Jega to Birnin Kebbi and finally to Argungu.
He said: “”You can now see that the Argungu Fishing and Cultral Festival is not just a local or state festival, but a national festival, a festival of unity. This is why the Federal Government will continue to provide all the necessary support for the festival, and indeed for all the festivals on our national calendar.”
Among the activities lined up were Kabanci displays, bare hand fishing, traditional wrestling, archery, agricultural show, international cultural night and other. The grand finale, which is the fishing festival, is expected to hold today.