Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has disclosed that the essence of the Kano Festival of Arts and Culture (KANFEST) is to attract foreign investment into the state.
The Governor made this known while officially closing the three-day lineup of KANFEST activities during a dinner organized for participants at the Government House, Kano, on Monday evening.
Governor Yusuf called on international participants to serve as ambassadors of Kano by highlighting the state’s abundant investment opportunities for potential investors in their respective countries.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Governor’s Spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa on Tuesday.
According to the statement, Governor Yusuf emphasized that:
“Our administration will, therefore, continue to invest in the promotion of arts, culture, and tourism as vital instruments of social cohesion, youth engagement, and economic diversification.
We believe that by combining traditional knowledge with modern techniques, our artisans can compete favorably with their peers anywhere in the world.”
The Governor explained that the initiative aligns with his administration’s broader vision to make culture not only a heritage to preserve but also a viable industry to develop.
He expressed gratitude to all who contributed to the success of the event, especially the visitors from within and outside Nigeria.
In his remarks, the representative of the Federal Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Dr. Kabiru Ali Masanawa, described KANFEST as a new model for Nigeria to promote its national culture as a tool for tourism development and investment attraction.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the KANFEST Planning Committee and Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo, commended Governor Yusuf for providing all the necessary support to ensure the success of the programme.
He further appreciated the Rwandan High Commission and other international participants for joining the state in celebrating its rich cultural heritage.
In his goodwill message, the Emir of Rano, Alhaji Isa Umaru, thanked the Almighty for blessing Kano with a visionary leader in Governor Yusuf, who he described as “always providing meaningful projects that have a direct bearing on the lives of common citizens.”
Highlights of the dinner included the presentation of awards to winners of the cultural competitions held during the three-day festival.
