Record catch at fishing festival

The festival is a 'cultural feat,' says President Obasanjo

A Nigerian has won the Argungu fishing festival catching an 80kg (176 pounds) fish using just a hand net.

Yusuf Adamu beat some 35,000 other competitors from Nigeria, Niger and Benin with his record-breaking catfish in northern Nigeria's Rima river.

The fish was bought by local officials for $17,850.

The money will go to developing the annual four-day festival which began 70 years ago. Mr Adamu himself received a bus as his reward.

Stupendous

Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo appeared to be impressed by the festival, which was first held in 1934 when Nigeria's Islamic spiritual head, the Sultan of Sokoto, visited the Argungu region on a peace mission.

"I have never in my life seen such a big capture," he told AFP news agency

"This festival can compare with any festival in the world.

"I assure you I won't come alone next year, I will make sure I come along with four other African leaders to come and witness this stupendous cultural feat."

It was an annual event until 1994 when a lack of funds forced Kebbi state to halt the event.