Governor Yusuf, Turns Kano The Pride Of Sudan, Africa’s Cultural Giant

By Mustapha Muhammad

The sky brightens after the darken hours faded away in one cosmopolitan and conservative town; that keeps flourishing, replenishing and reviving its lost cultural values and heritage, gradually moving to the top echelon and global stage of preserving its monuments.

That town in Nigeria’s northwestern State with its richness in traditions, values, for over 1000 years is now being recognized by UNESCO as one of the 81 heritage sites in the world.

That town is the ancient city of Kano, the home to several monuments, traditional cuisines.

For over the past two years when Kano state Governor Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf sworn in as the governor, the monuments and cultural sites are being receiving government attention, reviving them and making them have a very good facelift.

The recent efforts of the Governor of Kano State Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, is the organizing the 3-day event dubbed Kano Festival (KANFEST) which was conducted in grand style revisiting the cultural heritage of the state and its norms and values.

This is the first of its kind in recent years. The governor who promised in his Campaign Blueprint and election manifesto to revive and reposition the culture and tourism sector, not merely as a matter of pride, but as a means of restoring the dignity of our people, strengthening our identity, and creating economic opportunities through cultural enterprise. I can boldly say the governor has since gone far in fulfilling the promises.

All these efforts are putting Kano state on global stage and as a pride of the Sudan region and Africa’s cultural giant.

The Governor, vividly captured in his speech during the opening ceremony of the KANFEST event kicked started on 25th October, 2025, “Kano is a state deeply rooted in history, arts, culture, and heritage. For centuries, our city has stood as a centre of learning, commerce, creativity, and civilization. The craftsmanship of our people, the richness of our traditions, and the resilience of our forefathers are what made Kano the pride of the Sudan region and a reference point in Africa’s cultural map.”

Undoubtedly, series of activities on the event suggested how the Kano government is very serious about the cultural values and heritage.

The procession of Durbar, by the Four Emirates on the opening ceremony day, the display of different traditional values from different communities showcasing their prowess and love for the culture, the cooking of different Hausa traditional cuisines that culminated into competition, the Quiz competition among the schools all on culture, norms and values of Hausa people, are great testament to the fact that Kano stands tall in the most populous African nation in reviving its traditions and heritage.

Furthermore, all the 44 local governments display their richness on their tradition since before the invasion of colonial masters in the region. The cultural richness of centuries could not be neglected and thrash in a dustbin, that’s the pure intention of Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf’s government, striving hard, making all commitments to ensure justice is done to our heritage and ancestors’ efforts on cultural heritage could not be in vain.

Moreover, among the interesting events lined up during the KANFEST is the commissioning of the first building that housed the first colonial masters located in the present-day Kano Government House, called Parma House; fully rehabilitated if not rebuild with its existing structure.

The house built in 1914 has never gotten a kind and befitting renovation making it an edifice like this time around. The pictures of all colonial masters and Native Authorities that stayed in Kano have adorned the house, remembering the past.

Interestingly, several correspondences of the then Emirs and Colonial masters are there preserving the over a century record. The book written by the Emir Alu in 1892 with his own hand, and other books including files are being displayed and intact, preserving the over 100 years records.

Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf’s zeal and commitment on cultural development and heritage could not be over emphasized. The governor has since revisited the long-abandoned Ministry of Culture and Tourism office, which was left like a ghost, but now its renovation nearly completed; making it an edifice.

Also, a comprehensive upgrade and remodeling of History and Culture Bureau is being transformed into a world class center for historical research, documentation and cultural preservation, if completed would be a true picture and a hub for memory and heritage.

In another development, Gidan Dan-Hausa, the fisrt western school in the entire northern region; which was in a bad shape has been renovated by this administration, one of the oldest and most symbolic historical structures in Kano. In addition to this, Gidan Bi-Minsta Monument, an important historical footprint of Kano’s architectural and colonial evolution is now being under reconstruction which became moribund in the past.

The government has also renovated the ancient Kofar Mata Dye Pits one of the oldest surviving traditional dyeing centers in the world, with over 500 years of its existence.

Majema, the local tannery and the traditional leather industry then, is also under serious renovation. This project seeks to modernize the facility, empower local leather workers, and enhance the global competitiveness of Kano’s leather products, which remain among the finest in Africa.

It is not surprising when UNESCO enlisted Kano as one of the states in Nigeria to become a tourist’s sites in the whole world.

Undoubtedly, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, is Turning Kano The Pride of Sudan, and Africa’s Cultural Giant.

Mustapha Muhammad, is the Chief Press Secretary to the Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, writes from ancient city of Kano.