The Kano State Government has celebrated the first International Cultural day to showcase the state’s cultural heritage and its significance as a hub for trade, Islamic education, traditional arts and crafts.
Declaring the event open at the Coronation Hall, Government House Kano, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf said the International Cultural Day was meant to celebrate the glorious past and intent to explore the future where culture and tourism will become catalyst for prosperity, and source of pride for the people of the state.
This is contained in a statement issued by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mustapha Muhammad in Kano on Sunday.
The statement added that the governor has reaffirmed the committement of the present administration to improve the tourism and culture sector to preserved the state’s cultural practices aknowledged worldwide.
” We are re-strategizing, and re-prioritizing to investing in tourism to attract both national and international partnerships
” We are investing in our youths who will be train and will receive empowerment packages related to tourism, traditional arts and crafts, tour guiding, and local cuisine promotion who will be our new cultural entrepreneurs and tourism champions” explained the governor.
Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf added that the government is partnering with investors and International cultural organizations to create festivals, cultural exchange programmes and promotes Kano’s story on the global tourism stage.
In her remark, the Commissioner of Culture and Tourism, Hajiya Aisha Lawan Saji, applauded the governor’s committement towards rejuvenating the tourism and culture sector in the state in view of its importance.
The Emir of Kano, Malam Muhammadu Sanusi II, represented by Bauran Kano, Alhaji Abbas Dalhatu, described the event as timely and advised the State Government to constitute State Council of Arts and Culture for the preservation and promotion of the state famous cultural heritage.
The celebration featured traditional music, dance, local cuisine, creativity contest, and attire from different backgrounds, promoting unity, peaceful co-existance and cultural exchange among others.
Also, cash support were presented to local and cultural traders Union across the 44 local governments areas of the state.