Kano: The Kano State Government has announced that preparations are in an advanced stage for the 2025 Kano Cultural Festival (KANFEST), which aims to promote the state’s cultural heritage and creative industry. Deputy Governor Alhaji Aminu Abdulsalam-Gwarzo shared this information while addressing journalists in Kano ahead of the eagerly anticipated event.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the three-day festival is scheduled to take place from October 25 to 27. Abdulsalam-Gwarzo emphasized that KANFEST 2025 will provide a platform to display the culture, creativity, craftsmanship, and commerce that have been integral to Kano’s identity for centuries. He highlighted that the festival aligns with the vision of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s administration to revive, preserve, and promote Kano’s cultural values, traditions, and artistic talents.
The deputy governor underscored the importance of stakeholder support, especially from the media, to project Kano’s culture both nationally and internationally. He described culture as the foundational element of society and a driver of unity, identity, and economic growth. Abdulsalam-Gwarzo noted the administration’s commitment to reconnecting youth with their cultural roots, emphasizing that culture is a unifying force that transmits values to future generations.
The festival will underscore Kano’s historical significance as a center of civilization, scholarship, craftsmanship, and trade. Abdulsalam-Gwarzo stated that Kano remains a melting pot of cultures from Nigeria and West Africa, reaffirming its status as a cultural capital and creative hub in the region. He further mentioned that KANFEST will create opportunities for youth and artisans by attracting investors, tourists, and cultural collaborators from within and outside Nigeria.
The deputy governor highlighted the potential of the cultural and creative sectors for job creation and economic diversification, particularly in light of current economic challenges. He assured that cultural industries could provide job opportunities, attract tourism, and strengthen communities. The initiative aims to address youth unemployment while reviving cultural pride and values.
Abdulsalam-Gwarzo also assured that security measures are in place to ensure the safety of participants and visitors during the festival. The event is expected to set the stage for the long-term documentation, preservation, and promotion of Kano’s cultural heritage for future generations.