By Usman Usman Garba
Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has congratulated the Hausa people in Nigeria, Africa and across the world on the 2026 International Hausa Day, describing the Hausa language and culture as important pillars of African identity, unity and development.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Governor’s spokesman, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, on Wednesday.
The Governor said the 2026 celebration, themed “Our Culture, Our Future,” offers an important opportunity for Hausa people and other Africans to reflect on the need to preserve their language, culture, history and traditions for future generations.
Governor Yusuf noted that International Hausa Day, initiated in 2015 by journalist Abdulbaki Jari alongside his social media associates, has grown into a global platform for promoting the Hausa language and celebrating the rich cultural heritage of the Hausa people.
He commended the organisers for selecting Daura, the cradle of Hausa civilisation, as the centre of this year’s celebration, where a colourful Durbar will showcase the richness, history and traditions of Hausa culture.
The Governor also welcomed the participation of Hausa communities in the diaspora, who will celebrate the day in about 30 countries, including the United States, Türkiye, Indonesia, Egypt, Senegal, Ghana, Togo and South Sudan.
He said Hausa has remained an important lingua franca in West Africa, playing significant roles in promoting peace, governance, commerce, education and social interaction across communities and countries.
Governor Yusuf urged Hausa people, particularly young people, to take pride in their language, culture and history, while embracing modern technology and education to promote Hausa globally.
He stressed that preserving indigenous languages and cultures are essential to strengthening African identity, unity and cooperation.
Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf used the occasion to commend International media platforms that broadcast in Hausa such as the BBC Hausa Service, RFI International, DW Hausa, Radio Iran, the defunct Hausa Service of the Voice of America
and TRT Hausa for efforts in promoting the language.
The Governor further called for greater intra-African cooperation, mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence, saying cultural diversity should be used as a bridge for bringing Africans closer together.
He prayed for lasting peace and harmony in Northern Nigeria, Nigeria and Africa as a whole, while wishing participants at the International Hausa Day celebrations a successful and memorable event.
