Governor Abba Yusuf and Emir of Kano and Chairman of the State Council of Emirates, Dr. Muhammadu Sanusi II,
In a renewed effort to preserve Kano’s age-long traditions, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has directed all Emirs across the state to maintain and celebrate the annual Durbar festival — the grand display of horsemanship that stands as one of Kano’s most cherished cultural symbols.
Governor Yusuf also reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering support for the Emirates, assuring that the state government will continue to promote and protect this centuries-old spectacle.
According to a statement released on Saturday by his spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the governor issued the directive during the opening ceremony of Kanfest (Kalankuwa) 2025, an event designed to showcase Kano’s cultural diversity, empower creatives, engage youth and women, and forge global partnerships that spotlight the state’s vibrant heritage.
Governor Yusuf emphasized his administration’s commitment to investing in arts, culture, and tourism, describing them as “essential drivers of social unity, youth development, and economic diversification.”
Responding to the governor’s remarks, the Emir of Kano and Chairman of the State Council of Emirates, Dr. Muhammadu Sanusi II, commended the government’s vision, applauding its efforts to revive and strengthen the “once fading but invaluable traditions of the Kano people.”
The three-day festival features a rich lineup of activities, including cultural exhibitions, traditional cuisine, stage performances, games, drama, crafts, fabric displays, pottery, and scholarly presentations.
The event also drew a diverse audience—traditional titleholders, diplomats, artisans, investors, youth, and cultural enthusiasts—reflecting a collective commitment to preserving Kano’s dynamic cultural identity.
