The National Legal Adviser of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Barrister Murtala Aliyu Kankia, has described the conferment of the traditional title “Mairamar Kasar Hausa I” on the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, as a recognition of her growing role in promoting Hausa heritage and Nigeria’s cultural identity.
Musawa was recently honoured with the title, which means “First Daughter of Hausa Land,” by the Emir of Daura, Dr Umar Faruk Umar.
In a congratulatory message, Kankia said the traditional recognition was significant, particularly coming at a time when Musawa is overseeing a ministry with a mandate covering Nigeria’s arts, cultural heritage, tourism and creative industries.
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He said the honour reflected Musawa’s emergence as an important figure in efforts to project the cultural heritage of Hausa land and Nigeria as a whole.
“I know one day she will earn a position representing Hausa land and its heritage,” Kankia said.
The APC legal adviser also recalled that Musawa had previously been described by some admirers as “Queen Amina of our time,” drawing a comparison with Amina of Zazzau, the legendary Hausa warrior queen.
According to him, the description captures the expectations attached to Musawa’s public role and her capacity to promote the identity, history and cultural heritage of the Hausa people.
Kankia said the title should therefore be viewed beyond its ceremonial significance, urging the minister to regard it as a responsibility to the people and heritage she now represents.
The traditional honour by the Emir of Daura, one of the prominent traditional institutions in northern Nigeria, adds to Musawa’s public profile as she leads the Federal Government’s efforts to expand the contribution of culture, tourism and the creative economy to national development.
The Federal Government has increasingly identified the creative economy, tourism and cultural industries as potential sources of economic diversification, employment and investment, particularly as Nigeria seeks to reduce its dependence on traditional sources of government revenue.
Musawa’s ministry is responsible for developing policies and programmes around the country’s cultural assets, tourism destinations, arts and creative industries, with the broader objective of turning Nigeria’s cultural wealth into economic opportunities.
Kankia expressed confidence that Musawa would use the recognition to further strengthen efforts to preserve and promote Hausa heritage while contributing to the development of Nigeria’s wider creative and tourism economy.
He urged her to see the “Mairamar Kasar Hausa I” title not simply as a personal honour, but as a call to greater service and representation of the cultural values and heritage associated with Hausa land.
