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•30,000 fishermen to participate in 2026 Argungu festival
From Olanrewaju Lawal, Birnin Kebbi
The Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Muhammad Samaila Mera, has urged Nigerians to learn from the historical reconciliation, peaceful deal and wounds healing between Kabi Kingdom and Sokoto caliphate, which led to the establishment of Argungu Fishing festival 500 years ago.
Mera, who stated this while speaking with newsmen after a meeting with the 24 sub- committees inaugurated by the Kebbi State Government in Birnin Kebbi, noted that what led to the festival was more important than the festivity of the fishing itself.
He disclosed that the Kebbi State governor, Dr Nasir Idris, has approved 11th to 14th of February 2026 for the hosting of the UNESCO’s recognised fishing festival.
While speaking on the lesson behind the ancient festival, Mera said: “It has been a traditional event for Kabi Kingdom, which is over 500 years today. But it became an international event when the Sultan of Sokoto, Sadam Muazu, paid a visit in 1934. It was the first time it was staged to welcome a distinguished dignity from foreign Land.
“So, Sultan of Sokoto, whose ancestors have been at war with Kabi Kingdom for closed to 100 years suddenly came to Kabi Kingdom on a peaceful mission. That peaceful visit marked the end of hostility between Kabi Kingdom and Sokoto Caliphate.
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“The British who were around at that time, noticed that, and they encouraged it to be open every year until peace prevailed between the two sides and we started inter – marriages.
“And in 1970, after the civil war, when the government was trying to reconcile Nigerians, they looked around for things to be used to rehabilitate and reconcile the people. The leadership then looked at the antecedent of the Argungu Fishing festival and realised that this event was used to seal wounds of over 100 years old.
“They decided to be using it to be bringing Nigerians from the North, and Eastern parts of the country together. So, they invited our fishermen from the Eastern part of Nigeria, swimmers, divers, in all events that were held in the festival and they participated side by side in the festival with their counterparts across the federation especially those from the North and its went successfully. Nobody was killed because we were just coming out from civil war.
“The following year, it was staged again and finally, the federal government decided to build a village in Argungu to be hosting fishermen from Southeast, who will be participating in the annual festival to further cement the peace and reconciliation that had been earlier initiated after the civil,” Mera said.
He earlier appealed to the state government and the sub- committee to ensure that, there are strong measures on ground to control over 30,000 fishermen who are going to participate in the event.
