Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has said that the recently concluded Kano Festival of Arts and Culture (KANFEST) was designed to position the state as a major destination for foreign investment.
Speaking at the closing dinner of the three-day event on Monday night at the Government House, Kano, the governor said the festival provided an opportunity to showcase Kano’s rich cultural heritage and economic potential to local and international participants.
Governor Yusuf urged foreign delegates to serve as ambassadors of Kano by promoting the state’s investment opportunities in their respective countries.
He stated that his administration would continue to promote arts, culture, and tourism as key drivers of social cohesion, youth empowerment, and economic diversification.
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“Our administration will continue to invest in the promotion of arts, culture, and tourism as vital instruments of social cohesion, youth engagement, and economic diversification,” he said. “By combining traditional knowledge with modern techniques, our artisans can compete favourably with their peers anywhere in the world.”
The governor explained that KANFEST aligns with his administration’s vision to transform culture from a mere heritage to preserve into a viable industry that drives development.
In his remarks, the representative of the Federal Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Dr. Kabiru Ali Masanawa, described KANFEST as a model for leveraging Nigeria’s cultural diversity to promote tourism and attract investment.
The Chairman of the KANFEST Planning Committee and Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo, commended the governor for his support in ensuring the success of the event. He also expressed appreciation to international participants, including representatives of the Rwandan High Commission, for joining the festival.
The Emir of Rano, Alhaji Isa Umaru, praised Governor Yusuf for what he described as visionary leadership and for initiating programmes with direct impact on citizens’ lives.
The event featured the presentation of awards to winners of various cultural competitions held during the three-day celebration.
