Agency Report
Preparations are in top gear for the 2025 Kano Cultural Festival (KANFEST) aimed at showcasing the state’s rich heritage and promoting its creative industry, the Kano State Government has said.
The Deputy Governor, Alhaji Aminu Abdulsalam-Gwarzo, disclosed this while briefing journalists on Friday in Kano ahead of the three-day event scheduled to hold from October 25 to 27.
He said the festival would provide a platform to celebrate Kano’s diverse culture, creativity, craftsmanship, and commerce that have shaped its identity for centuries.
Abdulsalam-Gwarzo explained that KANFEST 2025 aligns with the vision of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s administration to revive, preserve, and promote the state’s cultural values, traditions, and artistic talents.
“For us to succeed, we need the cooperation and support of all stakeholders, especially the media, in projecting our culture to the nation and the world,” he said.
The deputy governor described culture as the “soul of every society” and a major driver of unity, identity, and economic growth.
“Culture defines who we are and how we live; it unites us and transmits our values to future generations. That is why this administration is committed to reviving and reconnecting our youth with their roots,” he added.
He noted that the festival would highlight Kano’s historical role as a centre of civilisation, scholarship, craftsmanship, and trade, stressing that the state remains a melting pot of cultures from across Nigeria and West Africa.
“By doing this, we reaffirm Kano’s place as a cultural capital and creative hub in Nigeria and the West African sub-region,” he said.
Abdulsalam-Gwarzo further stated that KANFEST would open up opportunities for youths and artisans by attracting investors, tourists, and cultural partners from within and outside the country.
He added that the creative and cultural sectors hold vast potential for job creation and economic diversification, especially in the face of current economic challenges.
“Cultural industries can provide jobs, attract tourism, and strengthen communities. We believe this initiative will help tackle unemployment among our youth while reviving our cultural pride and values,” he said.
The deputy governor assured that adequate security arrangements had been made to ensure the safety of participants and visitors during and after the festival.
He added that the event would also lay the foundation for the long-term documentation, preservation, and promotion of Kano’s cultural heritage for future generations.