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Musawa Flags Off Renewed Hope Cultural Project in Katsina

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…To Be replicated across the 36 states of the federation

The Honourable Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, has officially flagged off the Renewed Hope Cultural Project in Katsina State, signaling the beginning of a transformative initiative to revitalize Nigeria’s cultural heritage and creative economy.

The project, which is set to be replicated across all 36 states of the federation, is designed to promote and preserve Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage by showcasing its diversity and unlocking the tourism potential of local communities. Central to the initiative is the establishment of Renewed Hope Cultural Villages—comprising Creative and Art Studios, Arts and Crafts Markets, Exhibition Centres, and spaces tailored to the unique cultural expressions and craftsmanship of each state.

The project also includes the renovation of historic monuments and heritage sites, as well as capacity-building initiatives targeted at rural communities, especially the youth. These interventions aim to provide platforms for creative expression, empower local artisans, and generate millions of jobs across the country.

During the flag-off ceremony, Minister Musawa commended the Katsina State Government for its dedication to preserving iconic historical sites such as the Gobarau Minaret (est. 1348), Radar Daurama (dating back over 2,600 years), the Kusugu Well, and Durbi Takusheyi, among others.

Speaking at the historic Ƙofa Ukkur Gate, which suffered damage due to heavy rains last year, the Minister emphasized the project’s goal.

“The Renewed Hope Cultural Project was conceived to harness the immense creative potential of Nigerians, ensuring the preservation of our history in its most authentic form. This will drive local tourism, boost the economy, increase GDP contributions, and create job opportunities for millions nationwide.”

In response, Prof. Abdulhamid Ahmed, Katsina State Commissioner for Rural and Social Development, expressed appreciation for the initiative, lauding the selection of Katsina as the project’s pioneer state. He pledged the full support of the State Government to ensure its success.

As part of her visit, the Minister paid homage to the Emir of Daura, His Royal Highness Alhaji Umar Faruk, CON, at his palace, where she conveyed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s goodwill message to the Emir and the Daura Emirate Council. She reiterated the President’s unwavering commitment to spreading development across all parts of the country through people-focused projects.

In his welcome address, the Emir of Daura expressed gratitude to the President for appointing Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, describing her as a “round peg in a round hole.” He praised the Renewed Hope Cultural Project and pledged the Emirate’s support towards its implementation.

Responding, Hon. Abiola Abdulkareem, Special Assistant to the Honourable Minister on Subnational Development and Project Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Cultural Project, emphasized the inclusive nature of the initiative. He noted that the project is strategically designed to ensure no one is left behind in the Federal Government’s cultural revitalization agenda.

“This initiative is about taking development to the grassroots. We want creatives in rural communities to truly feel the presence—and the purse—of the government through tangible interventions that support their craft, heritage, and livelihoods,” he stated.

The Minister also visited key cultural heritage landmarks, including Fadar Daurama, Kusugu Well, and the Museum of the historic Teachers Training College, Katsina. She assured that the Federal Government would collaborate with the State Government to upgrade and preserve these heritage assets.

With the enthusiastic support of the Katsina State Government and the Daura Emirate Council, the Renewed Hope Cultural Project is poised to ignite a renaissance in Nigeria’s cultural and tourism sectors, unlocking socio-economic development through the preservation and promotion of the nation’s rich heritage.

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Creative Industry

Creative Economy Key to Unlocking Katsina’s Climate Resilience – Minister Musawa

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Joel Ajayi

The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, has emphasized the critical role of the creative economy in addressing climate challenges and unlocking development opportunities in Katsina State.

Speaking at the Katsina State Climate Action and Green Investment Summit in Abuja on Wednesday, the Minister highlighted the state’s unique climate-related challenges, including desertification, water scarcity, and unpredictable rainfall, which threaten agriculture, livelihoods, and food security.

She stated that by embracing creativity and innovation, particularly through the power of the creative economy, Katsina State can unlock new pathways to sustainable development, job creation, and social progress.

The Minister outlined ways the creative economy can contribute to climate solutions, including raising awareness through art and media, developing sustainable fashion and textiles, promoting renewable energy solutions, and eco-tourism and cultural heritage tourism.

“The creative economy has the potential to be a powerful force in addressing some of our most pressing environmental issues.
One of the key roles of the creative industries is to educate and raise awareness. The power of storytelling, film, music, and visual arts can play a transformative role in communicating the urgency of climate action. Through documentaries, songs, performances, and visual art, we can engage communities, inform them about the risks posed by climate change, and inspire them to take action.”

Minister Musawa also said that developing sustainable fashion and textiles using eco-friendly materials and practices can reduce environmental degradation. She recommended leveraging eco-tourism and cultural heritage tourism to preserve natural resources and promote local culture.

“We can use our local textiles to create a fashion industry that not only celebrates our cultural identity but also helps combat climate change by reducing its environmental footprint.

“By investing in training and innovation in the fashion sector, we can create jobs for our youth, particularly women, and position Katsina as a leader in sustainable fashion in the country”.

She called for strong partnerships between government, private sector, NGOs, and local communities to implement solutions and urged all stakeholders to take up the challenge of climate change with creativity and passion, working together to build a sustainable future for Katsina State.

Addressing the State’s Climate Action and Green Investment Summit, the State Governor, H.E. Dr. Dikko Umar Radda highlighted the state’s climate challenges and opportunities. He emphasized the need for collective action to transform challenges into development opportunities.

The Governor showcased Katsina’s achievements in climate action, including irrigation projects, solar-powered boreholes, and tree planting initiatives. He also unveiled the Katsina State Green Growth Agenda (KAGGA), a comprehensive roadmap for sustainable development which focuses on four pillars; Climate-Smart Agriculture, Renewable Energy Leadership, Ecosystem Restoration, and Green Industrialization.

The Governor called for collaborative partnerships with investors, development partners, and communities to achieve KAGGA’s ambitious goals, including planting 10 million trees, establishing climate-resilient farming cooperatives, and promoting green industries. He emphasized the potential for job creation, economic growth, and a sustainable future for Katsina State.

“KAGGA is a roadmap to harmonize economic progress with ecological preservation. Through Climate Action Cooperatives, our administration will annually train 15,000 of our women and youth in green skills. From solar engineering to sustainable forestry, we will ensure no one is left behind. The green economy could create over 50,000 jobs in Katsina by 2030, and we are determined that our young people will be prepared to fill them”, the governor stated.

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