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By Sabiu Abdullahi

After months of sharp exchanges marked by insults, threats, tariffs and sanctions, United States President Donald Trump and Colombian President Gustavo Petro are set to meet in Washington on Tuesday in what appears to be an effort to ease a strained relationship.

Petro confirmed his attendance after accepting an invitation from Trump last month. The decision followed what both sides described as a cordial phone call that brought an abrupt end to a prolonged public feud.

The talks come at a critical time for the Colombian leader. His administration is seeking to convince Washington that it remains committed to fighting drug trafficking. This follows a recent US military operation in neighbouring Venezuela that led to the arrest of President Nicolás Maduro, whom Washington accused of links to drug cartels. Petro is also pushing for the lifting of US sanctions imposed on him.

Trump said on Monday that he was looking forward to a “good meeting” with his Colombian counterpart.

Petro arrived in Washington on Monday on a special visa. His previous visa had been revoked in September after a speech delivered to a pro-Palestinian audience, during which he urged American soldiers to disobey Trump.

The deterioration in relations began early in Trump’s second term in January 2025, despite Colombia’s reputation as one of Washington’s most reliable partners in the region, especially on security and defence matters.

Tensions flared after the Trump administration launched a mass deportation campaign that involved the use of military aircraft. Some deportees arrived in restraints, a move that angered Petro. He initially blocked two deportation flights and said he would “never allow Colombians to be brought back in handcuffs on flights.”

Later the same day, Petro reversed his decision after Washington threatened tariffs and sanctions. Colombian authorities announced that the country would accept “all” of Trump’s conditions, including the “unrestricted acceptance of undocumented immigrants” who entered the US.

The dispute deepened in March 2025 after US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem claimed that Petro had described members of the Venezuelan criminal gang Tren de Aragua as “his friends” who only needed “more love and more understanding.” Petro denied the claim and blamed a possible misunderstanding on his limited English.

The Trump administration escalated matters in September by decertifying Colombia as a counternarcotics partner. US officials accused Bogotá of failing to meet its obligations, though they said funding would continue. Petro rejected the claim and argued that Colombia was doing its part, while drug consumption remained a US social problem.

“The US decertified us after dozens of deaths among police officers, soldiers, and civilians who were trying to disrupt cocaine trafficking,” Petro said.

Relations worsened further after Petro publicly called on American soldiers to disobey Trump during a visit to New York for the UN General Assembly. He also described Trump as an “accomplice to genocide” in Gaza. In response, the US revoked his visa, citing “reckless and incendiary actions.”

In October, Trump stepped up his criticism and described Petro as a “thug,” while blaming him for drugs reaching the United States. Soon after, the US Treasury imposed sanctions on Petro and several members of his family and cabinet.

“Since President Gustavo Petro came to power, cocaine production in Colombia has exploded to the highest rate in decades, flooding the United States and poisoning Americans,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said.

Petro denied the allegations and vowed to challenge the sanctions. “On the contrary, my government has seized more cocaine than in the entire history of the world,” he said. In November, he made his bank accounts public to demonstrate, according to him, that he had no links to drug trafficking.

The standoff intensified again in December after Trump warned that countries involved in drug trafficking could be “subject to attack.” Petro responded by cautioning Trump against threatening Colombia’s sovereignty and invited him to visit the country.

A turning point came on January 3, 2026, when US forces carried out an operation in Venezuela that resulted in Maduro’s capture. Trump renewed his attacks on Petro soon after.

“He’s making cocaine and they’re sending it into the United States,” Trump said. “So, he does have to watch his ass.”

Trump later added that Petro was “a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States, and he’s not going to be doing it very long.”

Petro rejected the remarks and spoke of “taking up arms” if necessary to defend Colombia’s sovereignty. Days later, Colombia’s foreign minister signalled readiness for dialogue with US officials.

On January 7, the two leaders held an unexpected phone call that eased tensions. Petro said the conversation helped calm relations, though he maintained that the US operation in Venezuela was “illegal.” Trump welcomed the exchange and invited Petro to the White House.

Ahead of the meeting, Trump said Petro’s attitude had changed in recent weeks. “He was certainly critical before that. But somehow after the Venezuelan raid he became very nice. He changed his attitude very much,” Trump told reporters.

Colombia’s presidency said the meeting would “define strategic priorities and strengthen lines of cooperation,” while describing Petro’s visit as a “milestone in bilateral relations.”

In addition to the White House talks, Petro’s schedule includes meetings with political, academic and business figures, as well as engagements with members of the Colombian diaspora in the United States.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to sue comedian Trevor Noah following a joke he made at the Grammy Awards that referenced Trump and the late financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Trevor Noah, a South African-born comedian, hosted the music awards ceremony. During his presentation, he made a remark while introducing the Song of the Year category. He said: “Song of the Year – that is a Grammy that every artist wants almost as much as Trump wants Greenland, which makes sense because Epstein’s island is gone, he needs a new one to hang out with Bill Clinton.”

Trump reacted strongly to the comment and said he would take legal steps against the comedian. Writing on his Truth Social platform, the president stated that he would be “sending my lawyers to sue”.

In a series of posts, Trump accused Noah of spreading false information. He wrote: “Noah said, INCORRECTLY about me, that Donald Trump and Bill Clinton spent time on Epstein Island. WRONG!!!”

Trump went further to deny any connection to Epstein’s private island. He added: “I can’t speak for Bill, but I have never been to Epstein Island, nor anywhere close, and until tonight’s false and defamatory statement, have never been accused of being there, not even by the Fake News Media.”

He also criticised the comedian directly, saying: “Noah, a total loser, better get his facts straight, and get them straight fast.” Trump concluded his response with the words: “Get ready Noah, I’m going to have some fun with you!”

Trump has acknowledged that he knew Epstein in the past but insists that he had no knowledge of Epstein’s criminal activities. He has said their relationship ended around 2004. Authorities have stated that there is no evidence linking Trump to Epstein’s crimes. The U.S. Justice Department has described allegations against him as unfounded and false. Trump has not been accused of any crime by Epstein’s victims, and there are no claims that he ever visited Epstein’s island.

In 2020, a spokesperson for former U.S. President Bill Clinton said Clinton had “never been” to Epstein’s private island, Little St James. Clinton has also not been accused of wrongdoing.

Jeffrey Epstein was found dead in his New York prison cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. His death came more than a decade after he was convicted of soliciting prostitution from a minor. Epstein bought his private island in 1998, and several survivors later accused him of trafficking and abusing them there.

Trump has pursued legal cases against several media organisations in recent years. These include actions involving the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. In December, he filed a multi-billion-dollar lawsuit in a Florida court, accusing the BBC of defamation and of breaching trade practices laws over the editing of a Panorama programme.

Trevor Noah previously hosted The Daily Show on Comedy Central in the United States for seven years and remains one of the most prominent comedians on the global stage.

By Usman Abdullahi Koli

“Tempora mutantur, nos et mutamur in illis.” Times change, and we change with them. Some years arrive with spectacle, with upheaval that demands attention. Others arrive quietly, insistently, reshaping life before their weight is fully understood. 2025 in Nigeria was of the latter. It did not collapse. It did not triumph. It compelled the nation to confront itself.

On a Tuesday morning in early January, before any official pronouncement or statistical briefing, the country was already aware of the season’s challenge. At the motor parks, drivers adjusted fares in silence, anticipating rising fuel costs. From Idumota Market in Lagos to Monday Market in Maiduguri and Sabo Gari Market in Kano, traders shifted prices mid-morning, recalibrating their margins as households silently reshuffled meals and transport plans.

Some Nigerians recounted how they had begun rationing electricity at home and combining trips to reduce petrol expenses. Survival, not aspiration, became the framework of daily life. Everyone began to adjust to the sharp inflationary impact of the new economic regime.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had warned that national renewal would be neither fast nor painless. He described it as a painful surgery necessary to recalibrate the economy for future gains. By midyear, the warning had manifested. Inflation, driven by food and energy prices, persisted relentlessly. The naira existed in a state of limbo, neither collapsing completely nor regaining dignity. Salary-dependent citizens faced daily compromise, while speculators adjusted and profited. Official statistics merely confirmed what citizens already knew: adjustment had become endurance.

Yet governance did not stand still. Revenue mobilisation improved. Leakages narrowed. Subnational governments were compelled to confront fiscal realities rather than maintain dependence on the centre. By April, a comprehensive tax reform framework was unveiled, aiming to redefine who pays, how, and to what effect. Properly implemented, it could stabilise finances for decades. Miscommunicated, it risks deepening mistrust. In public policy, substance alone is never sufficient; legitimacy also requires understanding, transparency, and civic consent.

Security offered evidence of the state’s potential when coordinated and intelligence-driven. Operations across Zamfara, Katsina, and Kaduna disrupted entrenched bandit networks. Camps once considered permanent were dismantled and feared commanders neutralised. The significance was less in propaganda and more in the quiet lesson that impunity is not inevitable. Yet highways remained perilous, rural communities exposed, and kidnappings continued. Fear, while less permanent, had not fully dissipated. Structural justice, inclusion, and local legitimacy remain essential for lasting security.

International and regional developments added further complexity to an already strained year. Statements by the current United States President, Donald Trump, asserting that Christians were being targeted in Nigeria and describing the situation as a Christian genocide, drew strong domestic and international reactions, reopening debates about sovereignty, narrative framing, and the external politicisation of Nigeria’s internal security challenges. Almost simultaneously, a reported missile strike in Sokoto, justified as an operation against the so-called Lakurawa terror group, raised serious questions about intelligence credibility, civilian safety, and the expanding theatre of counterterrorism. Within the subregion, Nigeria’s foreign and security policy faced its own test when Nigerian soldiers en route to Portugal were detained in Burkina Faso, a development that followed closely on the heels of an attempted coup plot in the Benin Republic and Nigeria’s military support for the Cotonou government. Together, these events underscored the fragility of regional trust and the growing cost of instability beyond Nigeria’s borders.

The health sector revealed fragility in stark terms. Nationwide strikes by resident doctors, followed by allied health workers, paralysed tertiary hospitals. Emergency rooms were stretched. Laboratories and pharmacies operated at skeletal capacity. Citizens faced delays, avoidable loss, and mounting uncertainty. Professional sacrifice, not institutional strength, sustained the system. No nation aspiring to seriousness can indefinitely rely on individual endurance while postponing structural repair.

Midyear brought a moment of national reflection with the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari. Flags flew at half-mast. Tributes poured from private citizens, politicians, and international observers alike. Yet beneath the ceremonial mourning lay unresolved questions: the legacy of decisions, the costs of policy, and the gaps left in leadership. History rarely closes neatly. It lingers, asking questions long after the ceremonies end.

Politically, the year matured with quiet intensity. Alliances shifted, ambitions hardened. Northern cities, Kano in particular, became symbolic mirrors of broader anxieties. Silence, rather than violence, became the language of anticipation. Even without a formal declaration, Nigerians understood that political calculation was underway, shaping the landscape for future contests.

Amid pressure, civic life persisted. Humour flourished in the streets, on social media, and in private gatherings. Satire became a language of participation, reminding those in authority that power is both observed and interpreted. In a constrained civic space, laughter and critique became inseparable.

By the year’s close, one conclusion is unavoidable. 2025 was not a season of miracles. It was a season of exposure. Governance demonstrated competence and direction in some areas, while revealing gaps in empathy and communication in others. Citizens displayed resilience, but also impatience and a refusal to be sustained by rhetoric alone. Reform is underway. Its success depends on trust, empathy, and the leaders’ capacity to carry the public along honestly.

Nigeria did not fall. But we keep hope alive that the giant will rise. It confronted itself, and comfort proved in short supply. This confrontation, uncomfortable as it was, may yet lay the foundation for a more serious engagement with the demands of nationhood. Nations rarely change because they are persuaded; they change because they are compelled to see themselves clearly.

In this, 2025 may yet prove instructive.

Usman Abdullahi Koli wrote via mernoukoli@gmail.com. 

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Traders at the Onitsha Main Market have resumed commercial activities after a one-week shutdown, following directives issued by the Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo.

The reopening took place amid heightened security presence and fresh warnings by the state government against adherence to sit-at-home orders issued by non-state actors, particularly the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra.

Governor Soludo had earlier ordered the closure of the market after reports indicated that some traders were observing a Monday sit-at-home directive linked to IPOB. He also warned that continued closure of shops could attract further sanctions from the state government.

Confirming the development, Channels Television reported on Monday that traders had complied with the governor’s directive and reopened their shops.

“Traders of the Onitsha Main Market have reopened their shops in compliance with a directive by the Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo,” the report stated.

A visit to the market by Channels Television showed that many traders returned as early as 8:45 a.m. Shops were seen opening across major sections of the market, including Egerton Road, Ose Foodstuff Market, and The Young Park, which serves as a key entrance to the Main Market. Other busy areas included Emeka Offor Plaza, Sokoto Road, Lagos Line, and Marine, as customers gradually returned to patronize traders.

“It is clear that the traders are complying with government directives to ignore the sit-at-home order,” the report added.

Meanwhile, IPOB had announced a lockdown across the South-East, citing solidarity with Onitsha traders. Through its spokesman, Emma Powerful, the group called on traders, transport operators, banks, schools, and civil servants to observe the action peacefully.

However, IPOB’s lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, dismissed the directive, describing it as “a fake” and “a calculated falsehood.” He urged members of the public to disregard it and stressed that the group had repeatedly disassociated itself from sit-at-home orders.

The Anambra State Police Command also issued a statement on Sunday, warning residents against threats posed by non-state actors on social media.

“Following the security assessment of the implications, or otherwise, of full resumption of all social, commercial, and official activities in Anambra State on Monday, the Police Command has identified a deliberate, recurring pattern of coordinated social media posts by some non-state actors aimed at spreading fear, misinformation, and bigotry among the public,” the statement said.

According to the police, such narratives were intended “to cause panic, undermine public confidence, and disrupt the peace currently enjoyed in the State.”

“The resilience, cooperation, and timely sharing of credible information by residents continues to play a critical role in sustaining public order and safety,” the statement added.

The police further announced intensified intelligence-led patrols, increased surveillance, and proactive security operations across the state to prevent threats to lives and property. Residents were also advised to ignore unverified social media messages and report suspicious activities.

“Members of the public are advised to disregard unverified social media content being propagated by non-state actors and to report any suspicious movements or activities to the nearest Police formation or through established emergency channels,” the statement said.

The police reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining peace and public safety, while the state government assured traders of adequate security as business activities return to normal across Onitsha.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Iran has summoned all ambassadors of the European Union in Tehran to protest the bloc’s decision to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation, a move that has further strained relations and heightened fears of a wider conflict in the Middle East.

According to the Associated Press, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmail Baghaei, confirmed on Monday that the summons started on Sunday and continued into the new week. He described the EU decision as “illegal, unreasonable and very wrong.”

“A series of actions were reviewed, various options are being prepared and sent to relevant decision-making bodies,” Baghaei said. He added that Tehran would soon decide on “reciprocal measures.”

The diplomatic confrontation comes at a time when Iran is under growing international scrutiny following its violent response to nationwide protests in January. Reports indicate that thousands were killed and tens of thousands arrested during the unrest. Human rights organisations have also warned about the risk of mass executions of detainees.

Last week, the European Union agreed to blacklist the IRGC over its role in the crackdown. Although the decision is largely symbolic, it adds to economic and political pressure on Tehran because of the Guard’s deep involvement in Iran’s economy. The United States and Canada had earlier taken similar actions.

In response, Iran’s parliament speaker spoke on Sunday and said the Islamic Republic now regards all EU militaries as “terrorist groups,” referring to a 2019 Iranian law.

At the same time, military tensions in the region continue to rise. The United States has deployed the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln alongside several guided-missile destroyers to the Middle East.

While it remains uncertain whether President Donald Trump will approve military action, Washington says the deployments aim to deter further violence and safeguard international shipping routes.

“Trump is trying to calibrate a response to Iran’s mass killing of protesters that punishes Iranian leaders without dragging the United States into a new, open-ended conflict,” the New York-based Soufan Center said in a statement on Monday.

The group added that some U.S. officials want to take advantage of Tehran’s weakened position. It also noted that American conditions for diplomacy are “unacceptable” to Iran.

Regional anxiety has also increased after Iran confirmed that the Revolutionary Guard has begun a military drill in the Strait of Hormuz. The narrow waterway carries about one-fifth of the world’s oil shipments. Iran had warned shipping operators last week about planned exercises, although it initially avoided confirming their commencement.

Satellite images analysed by the Associated Press showed small, fast-moving vessels believed to belong to the Guard operating between Iran’s Qeshm and Hengam islands, away from major commercial routes.

The U.S. Central Command has cautioned Tehran against harassing naval vessels or interfering with commercial traffic.

Despite the sharp rhetoric and military movements, Baghaei sought to calm public fears. He urged Iranians not to worry about the prospect of war, although he declined to confirm whether Washington had given Tehran any deadline to meet U.S. demands.

The IRGC was formed after Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution to protect the clerical system. Over the years, it has grown into a powerful military, political and economic force. Its Basij militia faces widespread accusations of leading the violent suppression of recent protests. Leaked videos have shown armed men beating and shooting demonstrators after authorities shut down internet and phone services across the country.

By Anas Abbas

The Singer Market Development Association (SIMDA) has reported a major fire outbreak at Singer Market, which began at about 3:00 a.m. and is still ongoing as of the time of this report. The incident has caused panic among traders and residents in the area.

In a statement shared by the chairman of the association, Barrister Muhammad Zakari called on members of the public and the business community to offer prayers for divine intervention as efforts continue to contain the fire. The association described the situation as serious and distressing.

The chairman urged everyone to remember the affected traders in their prayers, asking Allah to protect lives and minimize losses resulting from the inferno. He emphasized the importance of unity and support during this difficult moment for the market community.

The statement concluded with prayers for Allah’s mercy and protection, asking Him to bring the fire under control and restore calm to the market. “May Allah save us from this calamity,” the chairman prayed

Updates on how the fire started and the level of damage recorded will be communicated in due course.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

China, Iran, and Russia have formalized a wide-ranging strategic agreement, a development experts say could shift global power balances and heighten tensions with the United States.

The pact was announced simultaneously in Tehran, Beijing, and Moscow. Officials from the three countries described it as “a cornerstone for a new multipolar order.”

While the full text is being gradually released, authorities confirmed that the agreement covers collaboration in energy, trade, military coordination, and diplomatic strategy.

Iranian state media cited officials saying the pact reflects a joint commitment to “mutual respect, sovereign independence and a rules-based international system that rejects unilateral coercion.” Beijing and Moscow issued similar statements, highlighting their shared opposition to Western dominance.

This trilateral agreement builds on years of close bilateral ties. In January 2025, Iran and Russia signed a 20-year Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty to strengthen economic and defense cooperation and counter Western sanctions. That treaty became effective last year.

Iran and China had also signed a 25-year cooperation deal in 2021, aimed at expanding trade, infrastructure, and energy cooperation.

What sets this new pact apart is that it explicitly unites all three countries under a coordinated framework. Unlike previous bilateral agreements, the pact aligns them on issues such as nuclear sovereignty, economic resilience, and military coordination.

No Formal Defence Commitment

Officials emphasized that the agreement is not a mutual defense treaty like NATO’s Article 5, which obligates members to defend one another militarily.

Past agreements between Iran and Russia did not include such guarantees, and this pact follows the same cautious approach. Analysts say it signals a political and strategic alignment intended to counterbalance US influence, resist sanctions, reduce dependence on Western financial systems, and expand regional influence.

The signing comes as tensions rise between Iran and the United States. Washington has accused Tehran of enriching uranium beyond the limits of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The Trump administration withdrew from the JCPOA in 2018 and reimposed sanctions that have severely impacted Iran’s economy.

Attempts to revive the deal have repeatedly stalled. Talks in Oman and Rome in 2025 ended without an agreement, deepening mistrust. US military deployments in the Gulf, including the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, have also raised fears of escalation.

Inside Iran, protests that began in December 2025 over economic hardship have added domestic pressure. Iranian authorities accused foreign actors of fueling unrest, citing statements by US President Donald Trump in support of demonstrators as interference in domestic affairs.

Strategic Implications

For Tehran, the pact offers economic relief and strengthens deterrence against military threats by deepening ties with Russia and China.

For Moscow and Beijing, the agreement provides access to Iran’s energy resources and strengthens their capacity to challenge US alliances in the Middle East and Indo-Pacific. Both countries have expanded military cooperation with Iran, including joint naval exercises in the Gulf.

For the United States and its allies, the pact complicates efforts to isolate Iran. Gulf states, wary of Tehran’s ambitions, fear the agreement could embolden Iran and destabilize the region further.

Experts caution, however, that the pact has limits. Russia and China remain cautious about overcommitting, mindful of possible US retaliation. Iran’s ongoing economic challenges and domestic unrest could also hinder its ability to meet obligations. Without a formal defense guarantee, Tehran remains vulnerable to confrontation with the US or Israel.

Much will depend on whether Moscow and Beijing risk deeper involvement in Iran’s disputes with the West. For now, the agreement strengthens Tehran’s diplomatic position, even as tensions with Washington persist.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Islamic scholarly community in Northern Nigeria is in mourning following the death of the renowned Zaria-based cleric, Sheikh Usman Kusfa, popularly known as Sheikh Rigi-Rigi.

The scholar passed away after a prolonged illness. He was widely respected for his teachings and influence within the Muslim community of Zaria and beyond.

His funeral prayers (Jana’iza) have been scheduled for 4:30 PM today at the Babban Filin Low-Cost in Zaria.

Condolence messages have begun pouring in, with many expressing their grief and praying for divine mercy for the departed. A common prayer among the faithful is: “May God grant him paradise, forgive him, and may his illness serve as an atonement for his sins.”

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Troops of the 8 Division of the Nigerian Army, operating under Sector 2 of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have overrun the stronghold of a notorious bandit leader, Gwaska Dan Karmi, in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State, killing scores of bandits during a fierce gun battle.

This is contained in a statement signed by Lolaniyi Osoba, Lieutenant Colonel, Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 8 Division Nigerian Army/Sector 2 Operation FANSAN YAMMA, on February 1, 2026.

The military operation followed credible intelligence which revealed that more than 100 armed bandits had converged at the camp to plan coordinated attacks on surrounding communities and military supply routes. Troops placed the location under close surveillance for several days before launching the assault with support from the Nigerian Air Force.

The troops engaged the bandits on January 31, 2026. Heavy exchanges of gunfire broke out after the terrorists attempted to flank and encircle the advancing forces. The soldiers, backed by superior firepower, repelled the attempt and gained control of the camp. Many of the bandits were killed during the clash, while others escaped with gunshot wounds.

After securing the area, the troops set the camp ablaze and withdrew in an organised manner. The Nigerian Air Force has continued interdiction missions to track and eliminate fleeing bandits, while ground forces retain control of the area.

The Nigerian Army confirmed that some soldiers lost their lives during the encounter. One combat enabler vehicle was also struck by an enemy Rocket Propelled Grenade and caught fire. The Army paid tribute to the fallen personnel and reaffirmed its resolve to sustain the fight against banditry.

According to the military, troop morale and combat effectiveness remain high as operations continue to dismantle criminal networks and disrupt their logistics across the region.

By Dahiru Kasimu Adamu

Ahead of Argungu International fishing and cultural festival which was scheduled to hold from 11 February to 14 February 2025 we take a look of some tourist centers to visit in the ancient town of Kabawan Kanta.

Argungu International fishing and cultural festival is a unique  global event previously celebrates annually, it rooted in the pursuit of peace and unity. This extraordinary event showcases the rich historical legacy of the Kabawan Kanta and preserves the invaluable cultural heritage of the Kabawa people.

More than a festival, Argungu is a world-renowned tourism destination, significantly contributing to the socio-economic development of the town, Kebbi State and Nigeria as a whole.

Most people don’t know that, beside the famous fishing festival, there are so many colorful cultural and traditional activities, which are observed concurrently, during the same period. Some of  these activities which are attached to the festival include, 

1. Traditional Boxing, 
2. Durbar, Horse Racing,
3. Motor Rally,
4. Kabanci Display,
5. The Grand Fishing Competition and many more.

Apart from the series activities of the festival, visitors also would have opportunities to visit historical and tourist centers of the town such as; the famous Kanta Museum.

Kanta Museum, is a Historical and cultural Center, which was the Emirs palace between 1831 and 1940, but it was converted to a Museum in 1942 after the European colonialists built the new Emir Palace in Tudun Wada Area of the ancient town of Argungu during the reign of Muhammed Sani.

Since then, the place has been a tourist center for many years. It showcases the true meaning of diversity with different cultures and histories of the Kabawan Kanta on display. It was named after Muhammed Kanta, who founded the Kebbi Kingdom in 1515. The Museum boasts a collation of historical artifacts and a testament to the ancient architectural beauty of the people.

It has eleven sections and contains historical and cultural elements related to the Kabawa and their history, which include the Royal Palace, then the Cultural section, the people and their religion section, the traditional crafts and the music section, the antiques section, a section dedicated to Surame, the first settlement of the Kabi Kingdom, war equipment, (such as spears, swords, woods, stones, bows and arrows and even drums on display) fishing tools section, amongst others.

Many people, including students from different schools and neighboring countries visit the museum at all times, for different purposes including educational and cultural research, although during the festive season about five to seven hundred people visit the Museum a day.

The Matanfada River

Matanfada river is a very special stage of the famous Argungu Fishing Festival competition. Over five hundreds fishermen storm the river for fishing competition. Visiting the river and the scenario give a deeper appreciation of its cultural and historical importance.

Another river site is the Mala River, which is another significant tributary in the Argungu. It forms part of the fertile river system that feeds the farmlands and fishing grounds of Argungu and its stage of Kabanci display.

The Argungu Bridge:

It is a prominent bridge that crosses the river connecting local governments of Argungu Emirate and also a route to Niger republic. It is a central landmark and a prime viewing spot for spectators during the fishing festival, offering a vantage point over the competitions. If you have a chance to be there during the event, try and climb the bridge!

The Argungu Fadama Land is a vast fadama land, which is nourished by the rivers. It is exceptionally fertile and crucial for agricultural activities, producing crops like rice, vegetables and many others, supporting the local economy of the residents.

The Emir’s Palace: Argungu Emir palace which is also known as Kanta Palace is located at Tudun wada Area of Argungu. The palace is the seat of the Emir of Argungu, the overall constituted authority of the Emirate. The palace also showcases historical and administrative system of government of the Kabawa, and it’s many sections reflecting living heritage of the Kabawan Kanta.

For equestrian culture, the Horse Racing Course roars to life during the festival and NSK Polo Ranch hosts the Polo tournaments and fates illustrating the horse sporting in the region.

There are 7 historical gates in Argungu and all are connected to the history and culture of the town, this gates are; Kofar Maicibi, Sagware, Kofar Tudu, Kofar Mala, Kofar Marina, Kofar Dankoji and Kofar tsohi.

Some of the gates such as Kofar Maichibi, Kofar Tudu had been rehabilitated and they serve as a symbolic of Argungu’s past history, marking and signifying old boundaries and stories of the community, its trade, strength and defense.

All these locations are interconnected elements of Argungu’s geography and culture and they are stages for a major cultural event contributing greatly to the socio-cultural development of Kebbi State and Nigeria at large.

See you there, and you will surely thank me for what you get.