Birnin Kebbi — Kebbi state Government has banned the controversial winner of the last year Argungu fishing festival, Malam Bello Yau Argungu, for life for catching a dead fish.


Argungu, 35, produced the biggest fish weighing 52 kilograms to emerge the winner of the fishing event and was given a Toyota salon car.

The state Commissioner for Informatiom, Alhaji Sani Kangiwa, who confirmed the ban imposed on Argungu at a press briefing in his office yesterday, said Government took the decision to prevent other fishermen from doing the same thing during the annual event.

According to the commissioner, all fishermen that will participate in this year's event will be thoroughly searched.

Said Kangiwa: "The Government has banned last year's winner for life and he will no longer participate in any Argungu fishing event again. This measure is taken to serve as a deterrent to other fishermen."

The commissioner explained that fishermen will not be allowed to jump into the river before gun shot contrary to what happened last year when many fishermen jumped into the river before time.

He said the Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Samaila Mira, had embarked on enlightenment campaign of fishermen who will participate in the event on the need for them to be well behaved and not to embarrass the state by contravening the laid down rules.

He disclosed that the state government was planning to host and manage the festival under public- private- partnership arrangements with the ultimate aim of handing over the festival to the private sector.

Kangiwa stated that government intends to rehabilitate structures at the fishing site at the cost of N30million.

The Argungu fishing festival kicks off tomorrow, March 11, and 16 events will be featured at the festival , including tug of war, traditional wrestling/boxing, catapulting/archery, goat skinning, power bike rally, motor rally, cultural dance, kabanchi display, and the grand fishing festival to be held on Saturday.