Kebbi to revive Argungu International Fishing Festival - great idea.

The Kebbi State Government on Friday said it would revive the Argungu International Fishing and Cultural festival to further boost tourism and revenue generation in the state.

The Commissioner for Commerce, Industries and Tourism, Sani Rukubalo, said in Birnin Kebbi that the state planned to generate N1.5 billion annually from tourism.

Mr. Rukubalo, who expressed concern over the decline in tourism activities, said the state government also proposed the construction of a five-star hotel. He said that the ongoing construction of an international airport was part of the efforts to boost tourism sector adding that government had constituted a committee that would reverse the trend.

According to Mr. Rukubalo, the committee is expected to identify historical sites and monuments, traditional and cultural festivals and natural attractions for upgrading as tourists attractions.

He listed some of the monuments as the Abdullahi Fodio tomb at Gwandu; the Kanta museum in Argungu; the Girmache shrine in Zuru; and Queen Amina ruins in Birnin-Yauri.

Other are Dambo Gomo Spring water in Zuru, the Barkasa Hill and spring water in Kamba and the unique mountains of Dakingari and Kamba.

He said modalities were being worked out for involvement of the private sector to make tourism viable.

Finally someone is thinking, an act that is very dangerous in Nigeria and hardly carried out by people in government.

I used to watch this festival as a kid and was always excited to see numerous fishermen dive into the river with pots in their hands where they put the caught fish. And later, this fish are measured. My eyes light up when I see the measurement of the fish caught.

So glad someone finally thinks it okay to revive old tourist attractions, maybe someone else would think up another great idea. Well done Kebbi State.