From Shuaibu Zubair Tatu, Birnin Kebbi
The Kebbi state government on Saturday inaugurated 16-main organising committee for famous Argungu international Fishing Festival which is scheduled to hold in March this year.
The State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Samila Yombe Dabai who is the chairman of the committee said the incumbent administration has recognised the importance of the festival as an international event hosted annually by Kebbi state.
Dabai stated that the Argungu Fishing Festival could not be staged for 10 years because of certain circumstances.
Consequently, he commended Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu for his courageous disposition to resuscitate and rejuvenate the event beginning this 2020 with the necessary moral and material backing.
He said ” the committee has task at hand to make this festival possible in this year, there is need to remain highly active to look at challenges on ground to ensure a success of the festival in this year.
A former Director-General of the event, Alhaji Abubakar Chika Ladan briefed the committee about the modalities, requirements and necessities for staging the festival, of which top priorities were adequate funding through sponsors, publicity and rehabilitation of main venue,( river Matan Fada, )and supportive areas including the grand fishing village and grand fishing Hotel as well as identifying events to be staged.
The 16-member Main Organizing Committee are: the Deputy Governor as Chairman, while the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, the Chief of Staff Government House, the APC State Chairman, the Secretary to the State Government and Ag. Head of Service are members.
Other members are the Commissioner of Police Kebbi State Command as well as the Commissioners for Commerce, Information, Agriculture, Works and Transport, Finance, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
Also included are representative of Argungu Emirate (who is the Chairman, Local Organizing Committee), former Director-General of the Festival now a Commissioner, Abubakar Chika Ladan while the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Commerce is to serve as Secretary of the Committee.
