I’ll remain a fisherman for life, says Argungu winner 
Written by Bashir Yahuza Malumfashi & Musa Diso     
Saturday, 21 March 2009 
Forty-five-year-old Malam Abubakar Dadu Tarasa is the overall winner of the recently concluded Argungu Annual Fishing Festival. In an exclusive interview with our reporters, he stated that he is not planning to ditch his profession of fishing. Rather, he would use whatever he gained from the event to boost the trade.

You emerged as the winner of this year’s Argungu Fishing Festival. How do    you feel? Malam Abubakar: I thank Allah, the Most High for it because I believe my success is entirely from Him and I regard it as an important achievement in my life. I would not say anything better than render my thanks to Allah for giving me the chance in life to witness this event and my parents and other well wishers that assisted me toward achieving success in my endevours.

Before embarking to join this competition, did you have an inkling that you’d be the overall winner?

Abubakar: By Allah, in His ultimate sovereignty, I never envisaged anything like this to happen to me in my life because if you observe the event, more than thirty thousand fishermen took part in the competition. Therefore, I will never forget that day in my life due to the fact that it was the day I became famous, not only in Nigeria alone but the world over. This has encouraged me to continue to take part in this competition.

When you were receiving the prize and you received a handshake from the President of this country, how did that make you feel?

Abubakar: It was a great thing because it has uplifted my status from a common man that lives in Turasa Ward of Birnin Kebbi, to a champion that drew the attention of not only national but international community. This is indeed a historical and joyful event in my life that I will never forget.

We learnt that you have received some financial reward as part of your prizes. Do you have any plan on how to spend it?

Abubakar: In the first place, my ambition is to assist my brothers, sisters and friends within my new financial position. Secondly, I want expand my fishing profession and to continue practicing fishing for life.