Sultan, emirs to grace Argungu festival

The government of Kebbi State will next week hold the Argungu Polo and Cultural Festival. The event will hold at the ancient city of Argungu in Kebbi State. The festival would involve cultural activities and a polo tournament.

The event will hold next week from Wednesday, September 4 to Saturday, September 7.  The cultural festival and polo tournament will serve as dress rehearsal for the main Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival expected to return in the first quarter of next year.

Among the dignitaries expected at the event include: the Sultan of Sokoto, Emir of Bade from Yobe State, Emir of Gwandu, Emir of Yauri and Emir of Zuru. We are also expecting three first-class emirs from Niger Republic.

Speaking on the event , the Special Adviser to the Kebbi State Governor on Tourism, Alhaji Nura Kangiwa (Turakin Kebbi), said everything had been put in place for the wonderful cultural-cum-polo fiesta.

He said: “The Argungu fishing festival is coming back in the first quarter of next year. What we are having is the polo festival that  will serve as a prelude to the fishing festival. We are going to assemble all our artisans to come and participate and display their skills. The only things that would not take place is the fishing competition and the water sports. All other events will take place, especially the wrestling competition, boxing, horse racing, camel racing, and other activities.

“This time around, we have even introduced bull fighting, and it is even much more interesting than the ones you see in Spain and South America.

“In terms of the polo event, we are expecting about 15 teams. They will be coming from as far as Lagos. We are partnering the Nigerian Breweries.

“We have virtually finished everything. We are just waiting for the arrival of participants and spectators.

“We are expecting about 15 teams for the polo event. We are expecting participants from other states for the other events. We have participants coming from Niger Republic.”

Kangiwa spoke on what the state and organisers of the festival are doing to bring back the festival.

He said: “When the stakeholders of the Argungu Fishing Festival-the emir, the state government, the local government and the local chiefs-sat down, we decided to include polo in the activities of the Argungu Fishing Festival.

“When the fishing festival will be coming back, the first event will be the kick-off of the national polo competition. We want to see how those coming for this event would see the friendliness of the people and  the Argungu ambience would make them come back next year for the main event, that is the fishing festival.

“In polo, most times, both winners and the runners-up  receive trophies. We are having seven trophies to be competed for. They include the Governor’s Cup, Sultan of Sokoto Cup,  Emir of Argungu Cup, Abubakar Umar Dangiwa Cup, Shehu Kangiwa Cup and Umar Shinkafi Cup.”