Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has been honoured with a Distinguished Merit Award at the just-concluded 22nd Abuja International Film Festival, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the growth and development of Nigeria’s creative industry, particularly the Kannywood film sector.
The award presentation, held in Abuja as part of activities marking the 22nd edition of the festival, brought together filmmakers, producers, directors, artistes, and other stakeholders from within and outside the country.
Governor Yusuf was represented at the ceremony by the Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, who attended alongside the Executive Secretary of the Kano State Censorship Board, Abba Almustapha; the Special Adviser to the Governor on Youth and Sports, Hon. Sani Musa Danja; and the Chairman of the Kannywood Foundation, Ahmed Alkanawy, among others.
Presenting the award, the Founder of the Abuja International Film Festival, Dr. Fidelis Duker, said Governor Yusuf was selected for the honour due to his administration’s sustained efforts to empower the Kannywood industry through several initiatives.
These include capacity-building training for over 100 Kannywood practitioners, provision of modern production equipment for selected actors, amendment of the Kano State Censorship Board laws, and other interventions aimed at boosting the creative economy.
Dr. Duker urged other state governors to emulate Governor Yusuf by investing in the creative industry as a viable means of driving economic diversification and youth empowerment.
Responding on behalf of the governor, Comrade Waiya expressed appreciation for the recognition, describing it as a validation of Governor Yusuf’s commitment to human capital development and the creative sector.
He reaffirmed Kano State Government’s readiness to collaborate with the organizers of the Abuja International Film Festival and other partners to promote the growth of the creative industry in Kano and Northern Nigeria.
Credit: Sani Abba Yola
