Nigeria’s agriculture tourism merchant and
governor of Kebbi state, Alhaji Abubakar Bagudu is targeting about 15,000 jobs
from the activities of rebranded Argungu fishing and cultural festival slated
to kick off next year.
Governor Bagudu, a keen follower of global
cultural tourism source markets and upbeats in emerging destinations, submits
that Kebbi’s most famous fishing festival with a huge international offering
could swing travel visits to Nigeria and consequently create jobs that will
drop unemployment rate in the state and also cause rapid urbanization of
Kebbi’s rural areas.
The governor who is determined to build the
economic profile of the agrarian state through structured cultural and tourism
resources has uplifted the buoyant economy of Kebbi through massive rice
cultivation and export. Governor Bagudu has promised to bring back the Argungu
motor rally which predates the famous Paris Dakar Rally in order to build
reliable bridges for Kebbi’s technological development and as a strategic
support base offering to revive the automotive industry.
Consequently, the Kebbi government has
commenced discussion with renowned General Motors Creative Designer and
Director-General, National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC),
Jelani Aliyu on how to revive the Argungu Motor Rally, ahead of the expected
come back of AIF and CF next year.
Alhaji Nura Kangiwa, the special adviser
and coordinator of Argungu fishing festival noted that governor Bagudu is
determined to work hands in glove with Nigerian tourism stakeholders to harness
the expected one billion tourists projected to visit notable global tourism
destinations at end of this year, an opportunity to which Kebbi is prepared to
benefit from and oxygenate rural economic and social development.
“The Argungu festival would provide
opportunity for women in the informal sector which is often home-based and
enables women who takes care of children and the elderly relatives to generate
income. The youths with less education will also be captured and that is why we
are keen to keep our eyes on the progressive upswing of international tourist
movement, a momentum that may peak at the time, Argungu festival takes next
year” Kangiwa added.
Meanwhile, plans have been
concluded by Kebbi state government
to use the Polo and international cultural
events coming in July to water the expectations of partners are sponsors of
Argungu fishing and cultural festival. The event is expected to feature
traditional wrestling championship between Nigeria and Niger, with side
offerings in Sharo, Tauri, Camel racing and Hawan Qaho (full fighting
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