Creative Industry
Musawa Flags Off Renewed Hope Cultural Project in Katsina
…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.
Creative Industry
Musawa Highlights Art and Culture as Drivers of Public Sector Excellence at Legislative Mentorship Session
Joel Ajayi
The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, Esq., has emphasized the importance of integrating art and culture into public-sector excellence in Nigeria.
In a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by the SA Media & Publicity, Office of the Honourable Minister, Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy Nneka Ikem Anibeze, Phd.
Musawa made this known while addressing trainees at the 4th Legislative Mentorship Initiative (LMI), held at the National Institute For Legislative and Democratic Studies, Abuja on Thursday.
Themed ‘Building the next generation of Public Sector Leaders’, Minister Musawa highlighted art and culture as essential tools for national cohesion and identity, economic development and job creation, innovation and civic engagement, sustainable development, and projecting Nigeria’s soft power and global identity.
She noted that Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage is a unifying force that binds different ethnicities and elaborated on how Art and Culture is key to public-sector excellence in Nigeria.
“First, embracing and promoting art and culture helps to forge national cohesion and shared identity among Nigeria’s diverse populations. Integrating culture into public policy and governance transforms the creative and cultural sectors into engines of economic development, job creation and diversification. Cultural industries including crafts, music, film, design, heritage tourism can generate livelihoods, attract investment, expand exports, and reduce overreliance on a narrow set of economic activities.
“A society that values creativity and cultural expression tends to produce more resourceful citizens, fosters cross-cultural dialogue, and encourages public servants to be more adaptive, empathetic, and culturally aware while prioritizing culture and creative economy in public policy through frameworks, institutions, and infrastructure, demonstrates long-term vision and commitment to sustainable development,” Musawa said.
The Minister called for supportive policies, enabling legislation, and sustained commitment to fulfill this vision, including laws that protect intellectual property, incentivize investment in creative infrastructure, and integrate arts and culture into education and community development.
“Embedding art and culture at the heart of governance and public-sector planning is not a luxury, it is a necessity. It builds unity, drives economic growth, fosters innovation, strengthens institutions, and ensures that development respects and reflects the soul of the nation,” she emphasized.
Musawa thanked the founder of the Legislative Mentorship Initiative (LMI), Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his inspiring vision and unwavering commitment to cultivating Nigeria’s future public-service leaders.
Other speakers at the Legislative Mentorship Initiative include the Director General, Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization Aisha Augie, Nigerian photo-journalist and documentary photographer Bayo Omoboriowo, Amb. Dapo Oyewole, Secretary-General Conference of Speakers and Presidents of African Legislatures amongst others.
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