Gombe Governor Commends Global Efforts to Preserve Hausa Language, Culture and Heritage

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

The Chairman of the Northern Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NNGF) and Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has felicitated with the Hausa community in Nigeria and across the diaspora as they commemorate the 2026 International Hausa Day.

The grand celebration, themed “Our Culture, Our Future,” is taking place in Daura, Katsina State, the historic cradle of Hausa civilization, where a series of colourful cultural activities and events have been lined up to mark the occasion.

In a goodwill message to commemorate the day, Governor Inuwa Yahaya described the International Hausa Day as a significant platform for celebrating, preserving and promoting the rich heritage, language, culture and identity of the Hausa people, while promoting greater unity and understanding among communities across Africa and beyond.

The NNGF Chairman, in a statement by Ismaila Uba Misilli, Director-General (Press Affairs), Government House, Gombe, commended the initiator of the celebration, an international journalist and Turkish Radio broadcaster, Abdulbaki Aliyu Jari, alongside his associates and other stakeholders, for conceiving this noble idea dedicated to preserving and promoting the Hausa language and cultural heritage.

He noted that Hausa has transcended its ethnic origins to become one of the most widely spoken languages in Africa and a major lingua franca across West Africa, playing an important role in facilitating communication, promoting peaceful coexistence, strengthening governance, advancing commerce and fostering social interaction among diverse peoples.

Governor Inuwa Yahaya also commended the Emir of Daura, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Umar Faruk Umar, for providing royal support and a historic setting for the celebration, describing Daura as an appropriate location for an event of this importance.

He said the global dimension of the celebration, with Hausa communities and enthusiasts expected to mark the occasion in about 30 countries, including the United States, Türkiye, Indonesia, Egypt, Senegal, Ghana, Togo and South Sudan, among others, underscores the enduring global relevance of the Hausa language and culture.

According to him, the celebration goes beyond cultural festivities, as it now serves as a platform to unite people of African descent by encouraging them to embrace their heritage, appreciate their origins and strengthen intra-African cooperation.

The Northern Governors’ Forum Chairman stressed that preserving indigenous languages and cultural values remains critical to safeguarding the identity of present and future generations, urging the Hausa community to continue using its rich cultural heritage as a bridge for peace, unity, understanding and development.

Governor Inuwa Yahaya wished the Hausa community a memorable and successful International Hausa Day celebration, while praying for lasting peace, harmony and prosperity in Northern Nigeria, Nigeria and Africa as a whole.