FIC Report (Kano State) – Kano State Government has vowed to preserve its heritage sites, particularly those threatened by mining activities. The state’s Commissioner of Solid Mineral and Natural Resources, Alhaji Safiyanu Hamza, emphasized the need for collaboration with stakeholders to protect these sites.
According to Adamu Ibrahim Dabo, Director Public Enlightenment, Ministry of Solid Mineral and Natural Resources, Kano State, the government is committed to safeguarding the state’s cultural heritage. He noted that the Ministry is working closely with the State History and Culture Bureau to ensure the preservation of historic sites, such as Bompai Hill, which dates back to the early settlements of Kano people.
The Kano State Government’s efforts to protect its heritage sites are crucial, considering the city’s rich history. Kano was once an important city along the trans-Saharan trade routes and a major market for gold and African slaves. The ancient earthen wall surrounding the old city of Kano is one of the best-known world heritage sites in sub-Saharan Africa.
However, heritage officials estimate that only twenty percent of the wall now remains intact. The wall’s destruction is mainly due to the growing population’s need for land, with pieces being hacked out for building materials. The Nigerian government has not provided funding to secure the remaining ancient walls, and it is unclear whether generous funding for preservation would reverse past neglect.
To address these concerns, the State History and Culture Bureau has formed an emergency collaboration with the State Ministry of Justice and the State Urban Planning and Development Authority (KNUPDA) to halt further encroachment. The Bureau’s Executive Secretary, Architect Ahmad Abba Yusuf, appealed to government ministries, departments, agencies, and non-governmental organizations to cooperate in preserving Kano’s heritage sites.
The preservation of Kano’s heritage sites is essential for the state’s cultural and economic development. By safeguarding these sites, the government can generate revenue from tourism, protect cultural heritage, promote historical significance, and ensure economic well-being.
Signed
Kabiru Haruna
HOC, FIC, Kano State
