Copyright tribuneonlineng
Kano Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has signed an Executive Order officially permitting the four additional emirate councils—Rano, Gaya, Karaye, and Bichi—to host the annual Durbar Sallah Festivities. This order effectively ends the tradition where only the Emir of Kano was allowed to organise the grand Durbar celebration during festivities, meaning all five emirate councils in the state will now organise their own Durbar. The Governor’s announcement was made while declaring open the first edition of the KANFEST 2025 (publicly known as Kalankuwa), a grand festival celebrating arts and culture designed to connect younger generations with the state’s traditional heritage. Governor Yusuf noted the order is aimed at sustaining the state’s traditional cultural heritage. He emphasized that the Kalankuwa festival will showcase the state’s heritage to people both within and outside Nigeria. “We officially flag up the first edition of KANFEST publicly known as Kalankuwa, to serve as a platform to celebrate who we are, a proud people of history, proud people of culture, and proud people of creativity,” Governor Yusuf stated. He also highlighted Kano’s heritage, noting, “We are also proud that the famous Kano Dubar, which has been inscribed by UNESCO among the world’s intangible cultural heritage.” In recognition of this honor and the Durbar’s significance, the Governor declared, “I hereby grant an Executive Order to the four Kano Emirates, namely Kano, Rano, Gaya and Karaye, to continue organising the annual Daba festivals in their respective Emirates.” He affirmed the government’s commitment to supporting the tradition, stating, “The Kano state government, as well as all the chairmen of the 44 local government areas, will continue to support you fully to ensure all the tradition is preserved and can be showcased to the world.” The announcement came during a colourful event at the Kano International Trade Fair complex, which was graced by the presence of the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II. The Emir’s arrival was a major spectacle, as he stormed the complex followed by no fewer than 2,000 horses in a vibrant procession. Royal Guards, dressed in traditional red and green attires, greeted the Emir Sunusi’s arrival with heavy gunshots in the air, drawing applause from spectators who gathered for the maiden edition of KANFEST. Governor Yusuf concluded by stressing the importance of culture to the state’s identity and economy. “The craftsmanship of our people, the richness of our traditions and the resilience of our forefathers are what made Kano the pride of the Sudan region and a reference point in Africa’s map,” he said. He added that the administration’s blueprint is committed to “revive and reposition the culture, information and culture not merely as a matter of right but as a means of restoring the dignity of our people, strengthening our identity and recreating economic opportunities through cultural interfaith.”
