The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, 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.
Mohammed 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 the Motor Rally, one of the many events slated for the March 11 to 14 Festival, is unique because unlike the other events which are domiciled in Argungu, the rally starts from Abuja, criss crosses four states (Nasarawa, Kaduna, Katsina and Sokoto), before ending up in Kebbi State, the home state of the Festival.
He said: Specifically, the Motor Rally will cover 13 towns and cities – fromAbuja to Keffi to Kachia to Kaduna to Funtua to Gusau to Sokoto toShagari to Dogondaji to Tambuwal to Jega to Birnin Kebbi and finally to Argungu.
“You can now see that the Argungu Fishing and Cultural Festival is not just a local or state festival, but a national festival, a festival of unity.
“This is why the FederalGovernment will continue to provide all the necessary support for the Festival and indeed for all the festivals on our national calendar.”
The flag-off ceremony was attended by Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State; the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister ofJustice, Abubakar Malami; and the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, among other dignitaries.