UNESCO Honours Governor Yusuf as Kano Festival Celebrates Cultural Pride and Economic Rebirth
Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to cultural preservation and economic renewal as he formally declared open the 2025 Kano Annual Festival (KANFEST) with the theme “Celebrating Kano’s Cultural Heritage and Promoting Economic Development.”
The colourful ceremony, held at the Kano Trade Fair Complex, attracted traditional rulers, diplomats, cultural enthusiasts, and government officials, marking a new phase in the state’s efforts to revive its ancient glory and promote its rich cultural identity on the global stage.
The event also featured a historic moment as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) conferred an Award of Honour on Governor Yusuf in recognition of his outstanding dedication to protecting and promoting cultural heritage in Kano State.
Kano’s Glory Reimagined Through Culture
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Governor Yusuf described KANFEST as a strategic initiative designed to rekindle Kano’s reputation as the heartbeat of commerce, culture, and civilization in West Africa.
“Organizing KANFEST is part of our deliberate commitment to revive Kano’s lost glory and safeguard our enduring heritage,”
the governor said.
“Our goal is to transform culture from a mere legacy to preserve into a viable industry that drives economic growth and empowers our people.”
He expressed delight over UNESCO’s decision to include the Kano Durbar—one of the oldest and grandest cultural displays in Africa—on the World’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List, describing it as a well-deserved global recognition.
“This honour places Kano on the world map and reaffirms the value of our traditional institutions in fostering peace, unity, and cultural pride,”
he added.
Economic and Social Impact of Culture
In his keynote address, the Deputy Governor and Chairman of the KANFEST Organising Committee, Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo, emphasized that culture remains a vital tool for economic transformation and social cohesion.
“Culture drives economic growth, promotes peace, and builds bridges among communities,”
he noted.
“Through KANFEST, we are creating jobs, attracting investment, and projecting the beauty of Kano to the world.”
Gwarzo stressed that the Yusuf administration has taken bold steps to integrate culture and tourism into the state’s development agenda, ensuring that the creative economy becomes a sustainable source of income for youths and artisans.
Royal Endorsement and International Partnerships
The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, who represented other Emirs across the state, commended the government for reviving KANFEST, which had been dormant for years.
“Kano has always been the centre of culture, learning, and religion in Nigeria,”
the Emir said.
“We must continue to nurture and preserve this heritage so that future generations will inherit a proud identity built on knowledge, tolerance, and dignity.”
The event also drew international attention with the presence of the Rwandan Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency Christopher Bazivamo, who praised Kano’s cultural dynamism and expressed readiness for deeper collaboration in the areas of tourism, trade, and cultural exchange.
“Rwanda and Kano share a long-standing friendship rooted in mutual respect and development. We are eager to strengthen these ties for the benefit of our peoples,”
Ambassador Bazivamo stated.
UNESCO Recognition for Cultural Preservation
Highlighting the importance of leadership in cultural protection, the Leader of Heritage Volunteers, Abba Gadzama, presented the UNESCO Award of Honour to Governor Yusuf on behalf of the organization.
Gadzama said the award was a tribute to the governor’s unwavering commitment to promoting culture as a tool for unity, peace, and development.
“Governor Yusuf has demonstrated vision and sincerity in advancing cultural preservation and using heritage as a foundation for economic progress,”
Gadzama said.
“This recognition is not just for him but for the people of Kano who continue to uphold their traditions with pride.”
A Festival of Colour, Unity, and Renewal
The 2025 Kano Annual Festival featured a week-long lineup of activities including traditional horse-riding (Durbar), art exhibitions, cultural dances, musical performances, food fairs, and craft displays from across the 44 local government areas of the state.
Thousands of residents and tourists thronged the venue, reflecting a renewed sense of unity, pride, and optimism about Kano’s cultural and economic resurgence.
Governor Yusuf, in closing, reaffirmed his government’s determination to sustain the festival as an annual celebration of creativity, peace, and progress.
“KANFEST is not just an event—it is a movement to celebrate who we are and where we are going as a people,”
he declared.
“Our heritage is our identity, and our identity is our strength.