By Nnamdi Okosieme
Nigeria’s Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa has been described as an asset to Hausaland given her role in promoting the cultural heritage of Hausa people.
National Legal Adviser of the All Progressives Congress (APC),Barrister Murtala Aliyu Kankia, made the assertion in the wake of the conferment of the traditional title of “Mairamar Kasar Hausa I”(First Daughter of Hausaland) by the Emir of Daura, Dr. Umar Faruk Umar.
Celebrating the Minister, Kankia said in addition to her promotion of Hausa culture, her rising profile nationally and internationally on account of her professionalism and competence, earned her recognition by her people.
The APC National said he was not surprised by the conferment of the title on Musawa as he had long believed she would play a significant role in the life of the Hausa people.
“I knew that one day she will earn a position representing Hausa Land and its heritage,” Kankia said in his congratulatory message.
The APC National Legal Adviser recalled that Musawa had at one time been described by some people as “Queen Amina of our time”, a reference to the legendary Hausa warrior queen, Amina of Zazzau.
He said that view of the Minister reflected APC Chieftain the expectations surrounding Musawa’s public role and her capacity to project the cultural identity and heritage of the Hausa people.
Musawa’s cultural elevation coincides with efforts of the President Bola Tinubu administration to position Nigeria’s cultural, tourism and creative sectors as drivers of economic growth, job creation and national identity.
As Minister, Musawa’s responsibility traverses a portfolio covering Nigeria’s arts, cultural heritage, tourism assets and creative industries, sectors increasingly viewed by the government as important components of the country’s diversification strategy.
Kankia admonished Musawa to see the traditional honour not merely as a personal achievement but as a responsibility to the people and heritage she has been called to represent even as he believed she would continue to deploy her office towards advancing Nigeria’s cultural heritage and strengthening the contribution of the creative and tourism economy to national development.
