Daura City, Katsina State has hosted thousands of Hausa from across the globe at the 10th International Hausa Day, which was celebrated in a grand style yesterday.
The gathering was attended by international leaders and monarchs.
Among the dignitaries were the Prime Minister of the Niger Republic, Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine (represented by the governor of Zandar, Colonel Alhaji Masallachi Muhamadu Sani), the Sultan of Damagaram, His Majesty Aboubacar Sanda Oumarou, the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Faruk Umar, and a representative of the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir Usman.
The acting governor, Faruk Lawal Jobe, was represented by the special assistant to the Governor on Chieftaincy Affairs, Usman Abba Jayi.
On behalf of the Nigerien Prime Minister, Governor Masallachi described the Hausa Day celebration as “a symbol of unity, history, and brotherhood that binds millions of Hausa people across Africa.”
He stressed that culture should be a bridge for development, peace, and cross-border cooperation.
The Sultan of Damagaram, who led a delegation from Zinder in the Niger Republic, praised Daura for hosting such a landmark edition of Hausa Day, noting that Hausa civilisation had for centuries served as a link of trade, scholarship, and diplomacy across the Sahel.
He emphasised that cultural exchange remains vital for regional stability.
The host monarch, the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Faruk Umar, expressed pride in Daura’s selection as the venue for the 10th anniversary.
He described the city as the “cradle of Hausa culture” and reaffirmed the role of traditional institutions in safeguarding heritage.
The Emir of Katsina, Abdulmuminin Kabir Usman, represented by his envoy, conveyed goodwill and called on Hausa communities worldwide to preserve their language, traditions, and values in the face of globalisation.
Other dignitaries included lawmakers, cultural traditional leaders, academics, and Hausa community representatives from Nigeria, Cameroon, Ghana, and Sudan.
The celebration featured a colourful display of Hausa traditions, including wrestling, horse riding, blacksmithing, music, and storytelling, all of which highlighted the depth and resilience of Hausa culture.
The International Hausa Day, founded by Alhaji Abdulbaki Aliyu Jari and held annually, continues to grow as a global platform for cultural revival, uniting Hausa-speaking communities across continents.
