The Argungu International Fishing and Cultural festival has returned 10 years after its suspension.
The festival which was flagged off with a motor rally on Wednesday in Abuja, was banned in 2010 due to security concerns in the country.
Minister of Information Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who represented President Muhammadu Buhari at the flag-off in Abuja on Wednesday said the return of the festival signified the unity and testament of federal government’s resolve to build local capacity, diversify the economy and boost tourism.
“The federal government will continue to give the necessary support for the Argungu Fishing and Cultural Festival and all other festivals in the country in a bid to boost tourism.
“We are committed to diversifying the economy through industrialisation and tourism,” he said.
The Argungu Fishing Festival began in 1934 in honour of the visiting Sultan of Sokoto, Late Hassan Dan Mu’azu – to mark an end of hostility between the former Sokoto caliphate and the Kebbi kingdom.
