Argungu Fishing Festival begins today • NTDC, MTN, others participate

By Wale Ojo-Lanre

Deputy Governor, Kebbi State, Ibrahim
Aliyu discussing with Otunba Olusegun
RunseweTHIS year's Argungu Fishing Festival has kick started today as the Kebbi-State Government invested everything humanly possible and did everything humanly positive to ensure visitors to this year’s Argungu Village for the fishing festival go back home with evergreen memories.

The Deputy-Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim K. Aliyu made this affirmation at a World Press Conference he addressed on the preparation for this year’s Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival.

At the press conference which took place recently at Lagos Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, the Deputy Governor also affirmed that the festival which started today, and will end on Friday. Alhaji Aliyu revealed that the state governor, Alhaji Sa’ldu Usman Nasamu Dankingan, had released and made available adequate fund for the prosecution of the festival while “planning committee which I am the chairman has maintained closed contact with the Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Samailla Mohammed Mera and other prominents stakeholders in the community for the success of the festival.”

NTDC showcases Argungu at ITB Berlin and Dancing Competition

The Deputy-Governor assured all tourists to the state of adequate security arrangements. “We have put in place, adequate security arrangement with all the security agencies in the state. We have also ensured that all hotels and guest houses in the state are in proper shape to offer standard service to guests.”

Alhaji Aliyu disclosed that apart from the normal activities of the festival, “there will be no motor rally. There will be however a 40-kilometer amateur bicycle race from Birnin Kebbi to Argungu, Motor Show and special Durbar by the Argungu Emirate Council.”

Corporate organisations like NTDC, MTN, Access Bank, Coscharis motors and Virgin Nigeria, endorsed the fishing festival. NTDC showcases Argungu at ITB Berlin and Dancing Competition

THE Director-General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Otunba Olusegun Runsewe gave a deeper insight into the economic import of the fishing festival and assured his corporations’ preparation to promote the festival in and outside Nigeria.

“Apart from the promotion and marketing activities to be embarked upon here in Nigeria, the NTDC will showcase the festival at ITB Berlin and we will ensure marketing over there if not for this year but for next year.”

Otunba Runsewe also revealed that NTDC would be organising Dancing Competition for journalists with first prize being a return ticket to London, a deep freezer for the second, while 3rd prize is a home theatre TV.

“This is necessary so as to give the journalists, who are the main backers, promoters and marketers of the event sense of belongings. They are the prime movers of Argungu; they need to be encouraged.”

MTN connects Argungu

MTN, being the most socially responsible corporate organisation which is always ready to promote Nigerian culture and give back part of its profit to sustain the peoples’ value, was also there, and according to Mr. I. Kalu of MTN, we are getting involved in Argungu as our own way to identify with the aspiration of Nigerians who cherish their culture and values and we are participating in the festival whole heartedly with an MTN community connect.

Who will save Eboreime?

By Wale Ojo Lanre

UNLESS God Almighty in his infinite mercy move powerfully, Dr. Joe Eboreime, Director-General of the National Commission for Museum and Monuments, who is currently on forced leave may be removed finally.

Dr. Eboreime’s problem started immediately he was seconded to the Museum and Monuments as the DG from the NTDC.

His secondment to Museums and Monument as DG was seen as anathema by the powerful cabal who runs the Museums and who made things difficult for the Late Dr. Omotoso Eluyemi, the former DG whose death is traceable to the activities of the cabal.

The cabal which has their God father in the Ministry has ensured that no Director-General has ever left the Museum on a clean slate. This is because, most of these Director-Generals are professionals and distinguished men of honour who will never allow the cabal to continue perpetrating its evil trade with impunity.

That is why, the cabal always blackmail, incriminate and set up fathom allegations against any DGs who is nsot from their fold Eboreime inclusive. And unfortunately, the cabal sometime find a Minister who aids and abets mischief may be out of complete ignorance or sheer complicity or deliberate intention for selfish reasons.

That’s is the problem of Dr. Eboreime, who came to the Museum with the aim of stamping out pilfering and stealing of our artifacts and antiquities by those who are supposed to be the protector. He was determined to chase the cabal out of the Museum, only to realize that, with the God fathers, they are too hot to handle.

To make matter worse, the cabal in its usual modus operandi alleged Dr. Eboreime’s of many offences and the Ministry set up a panel of inquiry. The panel, TTH learnt has submitted its report without given Dr. Eboreime’s the chance and right to defend himself. And the panel found him guilty of all allegations!

Curious. Curious. Curious. Only God and President Umar Yar’Adua can save this man who has ensured the enlistment of Sukur and Osun Osogbo as the World Heritage Sites by UNESCO and WTO Nigeria we hail thee.