Arewa Crafts Festival

06/09/2026

CONDOLENCE MESSAGE ON THE PASSING OF THE EMIR OF GUMEL

Arewa Crafts Festival Mourns the Passing of His Royal Highness, Alhaji Dr. Ahmad Muhammad Sani II, CON, Emir of Gumel

The Arewa Crafts Festival (1.0) extends its deepest condolences to the Government and people of Jigawa State, the Gumel Emirate, the family of the late Emir, and the entire Arewa community over the passing of His Royal Highness, Alhaji Dr. Ahmad Muhammad Sani II, CON, the 16th Emir of Gumel.

The late Emir, who passed away on Thursday, 3rd September 2026, in Cairo, Egypt, after a period of medical treatment, was subsequently laid to rest on Friday, 4th September 2026, in Gumel, Jigawa State.

With a reign spanning nearly 46 years, His Royal Highness was a distinguished custodian of tradition, culture and the historical heritage of the Gumel Emirate and Northern Nigeria. His long and remarkable reign represented an important chapter in the history of traditional leadership in the North, during which he contributed to the preservation of cultural values, communal harmony and the dignity of traditional institutions.

As a platform committed to preserving, promoting and celebrating the rich cultural heritage, traditional crafts and creative expressions of Northern Nigeria, the Arewa Crafts Festival recognises the profound significance of the loss of such a respected traditional custodian. The passing of the Emir is not only a loss to Gumel Emirate and Jigawa State, but also to the broader cultural heritage of Arewa.

We therefore extend our heartfelt condolences to His Royal Highness, the Emir of Jigawa State, the entire Jigawa State Traditional Council, the Gumel Emirate Council, the people of Gumel, and members of the late Emir's family.

We also extend our special condolences to Alhaji Yunusa Garba, Coordinator, Arewa Crafts Festival, Jigawa State, and all members and partners of the Festival in Jigawa State, who mourn the passing of this eminent custodian of our shared heritage.

We pray that Allah SWT forgives the shortcomings of the late Emir, grants him Aljannatul Firdaus, and gives his family, the Gumel Emirate, Jigawa State and the people of Arewa the strength and fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.

May his legacy of service, traditional leadership and cultural stewardship continue to inspire generations to come.

Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un.

Signed:
Arewa Crafts Festival (1.0)
Sunday, 6th September, 2026
25th Rabi'ul-Awwal, 1448 AH

05/09/2026

Join us by tomorrow at Media Chapel - Katsina

05/09/2026

MEDIA PARLEY ANNOUNCEMENT

KATSINA CRAFTS FESTIVAL (1.0)

Unlocking Katsina’s Creative Economy

The Joint Committee on Partnerships and External Relations of the 1st Edition of the Katsina Crafts Festival is pleased to invite members of the media, press and the general public to a Media Parley ahead of the maiden edition of the Katsina Crafts Festival (1.0).

The Media Parley is designed to provide an important platform to unveil the vision, objectives, programmes and expected impact of the Festival, while strengthening collaboration between the Festival organisers and the media in promoting Katsina State’s rich cultural heritage, traditional crafts, creative talents and emerging creative economy.

MEDIA PARLEY DETAILS

📅 Date: Sunday, 6th September 2026
⏰ Time: 10:00 AM Prompt
📍 Venue: NUJ Secretariat, Old KTTV Road, Katsina City, Katsina State

The Media Parley will be chaired by Dr. Isah Rabe Kambarawa, Chairman of the Joint Committee on Partnerships and External Relations of the Katsina Crafts Festival and Director-General, Building Your Future Ambassadors' Initiative (BYFAI).

A STATE–FEDERAL CREATIVE ECONOMY AGENDA

The Katsina Crafts Festival (1.0) is proudly sponsored by the Katsina State Government, under the visionary leadership of His Excellency, Malam Dr. Dikko Umaru Radda, CON, through the Ministry of Higher, Technical and Vocational Education.

The conduct of the Festival represents a strategic complement to the Federal Government’s Destination Strategy 2030 in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, through the Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, led by Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, which seeks to significantly expand the contribution of the creative economy to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product-from the current 2.3% to 10% by 2030, while also targeting the creation of 2 million additional jobs in the sector.

Against this national vision, Katsina Crafts Festival is conceived as more than a cultural celebration. It is a platform for economic empowerment, skills development, entrepreneurship, job creation, tourism promotion, cultural preservation and the commercialisation of indigenous crafts and creative talents.

The Festival will bring greater visibility to Katsina’s artisans, craftsmen, creative entrepreneurs and cultural practitioners, while creating opportunities for partnerships, investment, market access and sustainable livelihoods.

FOCUS OF THE MEDIA PARLEY
The engagement will provide an opportunity to discuss:

The vision and objectives of Katsina Crafts Festival (1.0);
a. The role of crafts and creativity in expanding Katsina’s local economy;
b. Opportunities for artisans, young people and creative entrepreneurs;
c. Tourism, cultural heritage and investment opportunities;
d. Media partnership and strategic publicity for the Festival; and
e. The expected economic and social impact of the Festival on Katsina State and beyond.

We therefore cordially invite journalists, media organisations, broadcasters, publishers, digital media practitioners, bloggers and other members of the press to participate in this important engagement.

Together, let us showcase Katsina’s heritage, celebrate its creativity, empower its people and unlock the State’s creative economy.

KATSINA CRAFTS FESTIVAL (1.0)

Unlocking Katsina’s Creative Economy

September 2026 | Katsina State, Nigeria

03/09/2026

Katsina Crafts Festival (1.0) supported by the Katsina State Government under the visionary leadership of His Excellency Malam Dr. Dikko Umaru Radda is a roadmap towards the actualization of the Arewa Crafts Festival.

30/08/2026

SPECIAL CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO ALHAJI (HONOURABLE) BALARABE YUSUF AJAH ON HIS APPOINTMENT AS SECRETARY, MATAZU LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCIL

On behalf of the Arewa Crafts Festival (1.0) National Team and the Coordinators of the Arewa Crafts Festival across the 19 Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, we extend our warmest congratulations to one of the key members of our National Team, Alhaji (Honourable) Balarabe Yusuf Ajah, on his well-deserved appointment as Secretary of Matazu Local Government Council, Katsina State.

This appointment is a recognition of your commitment to public service, political engagement and community development, and we are confident that you will bring your wealth of experience, wisdom and dedication to this important responsibility.

As a seasoned politician with about two decades of experience in political and public affairs, Honourable Ajah has acquired considerable knowledge of grassroots politics, community mobilisation, leadership and the workings of government. We strongly believe that this wealth of experience places him in a good position to make meaningful contributions to the development of Matazu Local Government and to champion initiatives that promote economic empowerment, skills development, cultural preservation and opportunities for young people and women.

As a valued member of the Arewa Crafts Festival National Team, we are particularly confident that the experience and networks you have built over the years will further strengthen your capacity to contribute to the objectives of the Arewa Crafts and Creative Economy Project (ACCEDP 2026–2030) and the broader vision of transforming Northern Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage and creative talents into sustainable economic opportunities.

We therefore celebrate this appointment not only as a personal achievement, but also as an opportunity for you to further demonstrate your leadership and commitment to the people at the grassroots.

As you embark on this new assignment, we wish you wisdom, courage, good health, success and divine guidance. May Almighty Allah grant you the ability to discharge your responsibilities with integrity, fairness and dedication, and may your tenure be marked by meaningful achievements and lasting positive impact.

Once again, congratulations, Honourable Balarabe Yusuf Ajah.

We are proud of you and wish you every success in this new chapter of your public service journey.

Signed:
Arewa Crafts Festival (1.0)
National Team & Coordinators from the 19 Northern States and FCT Abuja
Sunday, 30th August, 2026
17th Rabi'ul-Awwal, 1448 AH

30/08/2026

SANARWAR MANEMA LABARAI

SAƘON TAYA MURNA GA FARFESA SAIFULLAHI IBRAHIM BISA NAƊA SHI SHUGABAN ƘUNGIYAR MANYAN MASANA KIDIDDIGA TA JIHOHIN AREWA MASO YAMMA

Building Your Future Ambassadors' Initiative (BYFAI) na miƙa saƙon taya murna da jinjina ta musamman ga Farfesa Saifullahi Ibrahim, Babban Masanin Kididdiga na Jihar Katsina, bisa naɗa shi Shugaban Ƙungiyar Manyan Masana Ƙididdiga ta Jihohin Arewa maso Yamma.

BYFAI na kallon wannan naɗi a matsayin babban abin alfahari ga Farfesa Saifullahi Ibrahim da kuma Jihar Katsina baki ɗaya, tare da ɗaukar sa a matsayin wata shaida ta ƙwarewarsa, gogewarsa da kuma jajircewarsa wajen bunƙasa fannin ƙididdiga da amfani da sahihan bayanai wajen inganta tsare-tsaren cigaba.

A wannan zamani da ingantattun bayanai suke da matuƙar muhimmanci wajen yanke shawarar da ta dace, ƙididdiga ta zama ɗaya daga cikin muhimman ginshiƙan tsara manufofi da shirye-shiryen gwamnati. Sahihan bayanan ƙididdiga suna taimakawa wajen fahimtar ainihin buƙatun jama’a, tsara manufofi bisa hujja, rarraba albarkatu yadda ya kamata da kuma auna tasirin shirye-shiryen cigaba.

Saboda haka, BYFAI na da yaƙinin cewa ƙwarewar Farfesa Saifullahi Ibrahim za ta taimaka matuƙa wajen ƙarfafa haɗin gwiwa tsakanin hukumomin ƙididdiga na jihohin Arewa maso Yamma, da kuma inganta hanyoyin tattarawa, sarrafawa, adanawa da amfani da bayanan ƙididdiga domin cigaban yankin.

Muna kuma alfahari da cewa wannan naɗi ya ƙara fito da ƙwarewar ƙwararrun ɗiyan Jihar Katsina a matakin shiyya, tare da buɗe wata sabuwar dama ga jihar wajen bayar da gudunmawa mai ma'ana ga cigaban Arewa maso Yamma.

A madadin shugabanci, masu ruwa-da-tsaki da dukkanin mambobin Building Your Future Ambassadors’ Initiative (BYFAI), muna yi wa Farfesa Saifullahi Ibrahim addu’ar Allah Ya ba shi hikima, basira, lafiya da ƙarfin guiwa wajen sauke wannan sabon nauyi da aka ɗora masa.

Muna roƙon Allah Ya sanya wannan matsayi ya zama sanadin ƙarin cigaba, haɗin kai da inganta tsarin ƙididdiga a jihohin Arewa maso Yamma, Ya kuma ba shi nasarar cimma manufofin da aka sanya a gaba.

BYFAI na taya Farfesa Saifullahi Ibrahim murna tare da yi masa fatan samun nasara a wannan sabon matsayi na jagorancin ƙwararrun masana ƙididdiga na Arewa maso Yamma.

Muna alfahari da ku, Farfesa. Muna yi muku fatan alheri da nasara a wannan sabon babin hidimar ƙasa da yankin Arewa maso Yamma.

Daga:
Daraktan Yaɗa Labarai da Sadarwa
Building Your Future Ambassadors’ Initiative (BYFAI)
Asabar, 29 ga Agusta, 2026
16 ga Rabi'ul-Awwal, 1448

26/08/2026

BUILDING YOUR FUTURE AMBASSADORS’ INITIATIVE (BYFAI)

SAƘON TAYA MURNA DA JINJINA GA HAJIYA MUJIDAT FOLASHADE TINUBU-OJO, IYALOJA-GENERAL TA ƘASA, BISA KARRAMA TA DA SARAUTAR JAKADIYAR ƘASAR HAUSA

Building Your Future Ambassadors' Initiative (BYFAI) na miƙa saƙon taya murna da jinjina ta musamman ga Hajiya Mujidat Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, ƴar Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Shugaban Ƙasar Tarayyar Najeriya, kuma Iyaloja-General ta Najeriya, bisa karrama ta da sarautar gargajiya ta Jakadiyar Ƙasar Hausa.

BYFAI na kallon wannan babban karramawa a matsayin abin alfahari da kuma wata muhimmiyar alama ta ƙara danƙon zumunci, fahimtar juna da haɗin kan al’ummomin Najeriya, musamman tsakanin Arewa da Kudu.

Hajiya Mujidat Folashade Tinubu-Ojo ta kasance fitacciyar shugaba mai wakiltar muradun ƴan kasuwa, musamman mata masu sana’o’in kasuwanni. A matsayinta na Iyaloja-General, ta cigaba da taka rawa wajen ƙarfafa mata, inganta harkokin kasuwanci da bunƙasa jin daɗin al’ummomin kasuwanni. An kuma ruwaito cewa ta jagoranci wasu ayyuka da s**a shafi tsaro a kasuwanni, samar da wasu muhimman abubuwan more rayuwa da kuma tallafa wa masu ƙananan sana’o’i.

A fahimtar BYFAI, sarautar Jakadiyar Ƙasar Hausa ba kawai wata sarauta ce ta girmamawa ba, a’a, tana ɗauke da saƙon haɗin kai, wakilci da ƙara kusantar juna tsakanin al’ummomin ƙasa. Jakadiya a al’adar Hausa tana da muhimmiyar rawa wajen isar da saƙo, haɗa zumunci da kuma wakiltar muradun masarauta ko al’umma.

Saboda haka, wannan karramawa da aka yi wa Hajiya Mujidat Folashade Tinubu-Ojo na ɗauke da ma’ana mai zurfi, musamman ganin cewa ta fito daga wani yanki na ƙasar da ke da ɗimbin al’adu da tarihi, kuma yanzu an ƙara mata wata sarauta wadda ta danganta ta da al’adun Ƙasar Hausa.

BYFAI na kuma bayyana cewa wannan karramawa ta dace da irin matsayin da Hajiya Mujidat ke da shi a harkokin zamantakewa da tattalin arziƙi. Ta riga ta samu wasu sarautun gargajiya a sassa daban-daban na Najeriya, ciki har da Yar-Jari Nupe, wadda Sarkin Nupe ya ba ta a shekarar 2023, tare da wasu sarautun gargajiya a yankunan Kudu maso Yammacin ƙasar.

A wannan lokaci na musamman, BYFAI na miƙa godiya da jinjina ga masarautar da ta ga cancantar karrama ta da wannan sarauta, tare da fatan cewa za ta zama wata dama ta ƙara ƙarfafa alaƙar tarihi da al’adu tsakanin Arewa da sauran sassan Najeriya.

Muna kuma fatan cewa Hajiya Mujidat Folashade Tinubu-Ojo za ta yi amfani da wannan matsayi wajen ƙara inganta fahimtar juna, haɗin kai, zaman lafiya, tallafa wa mata da matasa, da kuma bunƙasa sana’o’i da tattalin arziƙin al’umma.

Darakta-Janar na BYFAI, Dr. Isah Rabe Kambarawa, a madadin shugabanci da dukkanin mambobin ƙungiyar, ya taya Hajiya Mujidat Folashade Tinubu-Ojo murna bisa wannan babban karramawa, tare da addu’ar Allah Ya ba ta hikima, lafiya, ƙarfin guiwa da nasara wajen sauke nauyin da wannan sarauta ta ɗora mata.

Ya kuma roƙi Allah Ya ƙara haɗa kan al’ummar Najeriya, Ya ƙarfafa zumunci tsakanin Arewa da Kudu, Ya kuma sanya wannan sarauta ta zama wata gada ta ƙara haɗin kai da cigaban ƙasa.

BYFAI na taya Hajiya Mujidat Folashade Tinubu-Ojo murna da wannan babban karramawa, tare da yi mata fatan alheri da ƙarin nasarori a rayuwa da hidimar al’umma.

Daga:
Building Your Future Ambassadors’ Initiative (BYFAI)
26 ga Agusta, 2026
13 ga Rabi’ul-Awwal, 1448 AH

Dr. Dikko Umaru Radda
City Boy Movement Katsina State
Renewed Hope Katsina State

26/08/2026

26/08/2026

WORLD HAUSA DAY 2026

On the occasion of World Hausa Day, 26 August 2026, the National Committee of the Arewa Crafts Festival (1.0) warmly celebrates Hausa people across the world, particularly the people of Northern Nigeria.

World Hausa Day is not only a celebration of the Hausa language, but also a reminder of the importance of preserving and promoting our history, culture, traditions, crafts, literature and creative heritage for future generations.

The Arewa Crafts Festival (1.0) believes that Northern Nigeria’s cultural heritage is not merely a historical asset but also a significant economic opportunity. Our traditional crafts, textiles, leatherwork, pottery, embroidery, weaving, fashion, music, culinary traditions and other creative industries possess enormous potential for job creation, youth development, women’s empowerment, tourism, investment and international trade.

This is the vision behind the Arewa Crafts and Creative Economy Project (ACCEDP 2026–2030), a Five-Year Strategic Framework developed by the Building Your Future Ambassadors' Initiative (BYFAI) to promote and develop crafts and the creative economy across Northern Nigeria.

ACCEDP seeks to strengthen artisans and creative entrepreneurs through skills development, access to finance and markets, digital transformation, branding and product development, tourism promotion, export opportunities, research and documentation, intellectual property awareness, and partnerships among government, private sector, traditional institutions and development partners.

At the heart of this vision is the Arewa Crafts Festival, which seeks to provide a platform connecting artisans with consumers, investors, financial institutions, tourists and international markets while showcasing the rich cultural diversity of Northern Nigeria.

We particularly encourage young people and women to embrace the creative economy and combine traditional knowledge with modern technology and entrepreneurship.

On this World Hausa Day, we therefore call on Hausa people everywhere to speak, teach, write, research, document, digitise and promote the Hausa language and heritage, while transforming our cultural assets into sustainable economic opportunities.

The future of Hausa culture depends not only on preserving our past, but on innovating with it, investing in it and creating opportunities from it.

Happy World Hausa Day 2026 to Hausa people across the world!

Long live the Hausa language.
Long live Hausa culture and heritage.
Long live the creative spirit of Northern Nigeria.

Issued by:
National Committee, Arewa Crafts Festival (1.0)
Under the Arewa Crafts and Creative Economy Project (ACCEDP 2026–2030)
26 August 2026
13 Rabi' al-Awwal 1448 AH