2020: Argungu fiesta to include polo tournament

After ten years of not holding fans of the celebrated Argungu International Fishing Festival can look forward to one come first quarter of 2020. The fiesta will be heralded by the third outing of the Argungu Polo Tournament and Cultural Fete. According to Alhaji Sani Nura Kangiwa, Special Adviser to the Governor of Kebbi State […]

After ten years of not holding fans of the celebrated Argungu International Fishing Festival can look forward to one come first quarter of 2020. The fiesta will be heralded by the third outing of the Argungu Polo Tournament and Cultural Fete.

According to Alhaji Sani Nura Kangiwa, Special Adviser to the Governor of Kebbi State on Tourism in a media chat, the event billed to hold from September 4 to 7, 2019.

Kangiwa who is also the Coordinator of the Fishing Festival said, the polo tourney will have more teams and they will compete for various cups. The categories include ‘Governor’s Cup,’ ‘Sultan’s Cup,’ ‘Emir of Argungu’s Cup,’ ‘Shehu Kangiwa’s Cup’ and ‘Mohammadu Mera’s Cup,’ among others.

The four-day event will also feature a mini fishing festival and more packaged cultural activities like a local boxing and wrestling competition between Nigeria and Republic of the Niger. There will also be camel and horse racing, bullfighting and different cultural dances.

According to Kangiwa, the fishing festival has not held in a decade due to security challenges, but now they have been abated, as “everything is being done to not only to bring back the international fishing festival, but to raise the stakes to the standard it deserves.”

Ahaji Atiku Bagudu, the executive governor of Kebbi state, Kangiwa said, is giving his all to revive the cultural extravaganza as he believes it will create more jobs for the unemployed youths and empower others.

Meanwhile, in a bid to attract foreign investments and foster more positive narrative about Nigeria, arrangements are in place between Argungu and Borough of Manhattan New York City, in a Sister City partnership. When concluded, it will facilitate cultural and educational exchanges. It will also allow for strategic trade and economic ties between Argungu and New York City with regards to tourism, culture, arts, exhibitions, education, agro and solid mineral business.

Kangiwa informed that Argungu artisans have been invited to represent Nigeria at the New York City Multicultural Festival scheduled for June 1 and 8, 2019 at St. Nicholas Avenue and at the Jackie Robinson Park respectively.

Th annual multicultural event, will bring together people from various cultures from the five New York city boroughs, law enforcement agencies, elected officials, arts organizations and local businesses, among others. They will showcase and celebrate their cultural diversities through traditional music, dance, costumes, arts, food, fashion and jewelry.