Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said the
revival of the Argungu Motor Rally, the traditional start of the
annual Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival, is a
testimony to the success of the Buhari Administration’s efforts at
restoring peace and security in the country.
The Minister stated
this when he flagged off the 2020 Argungu Motor Rally at the Eagle
Square in Abuja on Wednesday.
The Minister, who represented President Muhammadu Buhari at the
flag-off, also said the fact that only vehicles assembled in Nigeria
are participating in the rally, shows the Administration’s commitment
to building local capacity and diversifying the economy through
manufacturing.
He said another attribute of the Argungu Motor Rally is that it will
promote tourism in the country.
Mohammed congratulated the government and people of Kebbi State
for the revival of the Argungu International Fishing and Cultural
Festival, which has not been held for the past 10 years due to
security considerations.
He said that the Motor Rally, one of the many events slated for the
11-14 March Festival, is unique, because unlike the other events which
are domiciled in Argungu, the rally starts from Abuja, crisscrosses
four states (Nasarawa, Kaduna, Katsina and Sokoto), before ending up
in Kebbi State – the home state of the Festival.
”Specifically, the Motor Rally will cover 13 towns and cities – from
Abuja to Keffi to Kachia to Kaduna to Funtua to Gusau to Sokoto to
Shagari to Dogondaji to Tambuwal to Jega to Birnin Kebbi and finally
to Argungu.
”You can now see that the Argungu Fishing and Cultral Festival is not
just a local or state festival, but a national festival, a festival of
unity. This is why the Federal Government will continue to provide all
the necessary support for the Festival, and indeed for all the
festivals on our national calendar,” the Minister said.
The flag-off ceremony was attended by Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu
of Kebbi State; the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of
Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, and the Minister of Industry, Trade and
Investment, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, among other dignitaries.
