AFIDFF and Partners Pay Courtesy Visits to Kano Emirate Council and Kano State History & Culture Bureau Ahead of WHV 2025

As part of strategic preparations for the UNESCO World Heritage Volunteers (WHV) 2025 Initiative, the African International Documentary Festival Foundation (AFIDFF), in partnership with the African Institute for Solutions and Development (AISD) of Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria (MAAUN), embarked on high-level courtesy visits to key heritage stakeholders in Kano State.

On Friday, June 27, 2025, the delegation paid a visit to the Kano Emirate Council, where they were  received by Alhaji Aliyu Ibrahim, the Matawalle of Kano State and Babban Dan Majalisar Sarki, on behalf of the Emirate Council. The visit aimed to formally engage the traditional institution and seek royal blessings, guidance, and collaboration for the upcoming WHV 2025 activities scheduled to take place in Kano from September 7 to 17, 2025, under the global theme, “Working on the Future.”

The WHV 2025 action camp in Kano, approved by UNESCO, will mobilize both international and national volunteers to contribute to the preservation, promotion, and protection of the Ancient Kano City Walls and Associated Sites, one of the selected 89 World Heritage Volunteer action camps globally for 2025.

Speaking during the visit, AFIDFF’s Director General, Malame Mangzha, emphasized the importance of involving traditional institutions in heritage preservation efforts. “The role of the Emirate Council in sustaining cultural identity and ensuring community participation is indispensable to the success of this initiative,” she said.

In a related engagement, the delegation also paid a courtesy visit to the Kano State History and Culture Bureau, where they were received by Arc. Ahmad Abba Yusuf, Executive Secretary of the Bureau. The visit was part of the broader stakeholder engagement efforts to ensure inclusive participation and local ownership of the WHV 2025 project in Kano.

During the meeting, discussions centered on the significance of promoting and safeguarding Kano’s rich cultural history while engaging young people in heritage education and conservation. The Executive Secretary expressed the Bureau’s readiness to support the project and collaborate closely with AFIDFF and its partners to ensure a successful heritage camp.

These visits highlights AFIDFF’s commitment to fostering community-based participation, inter-agency collaboration, and youth engagement in the preservation of heritage assets in Nigeria. The Foundation extends its sincere appreciation to both the Kano Emirate Council and the Kano State History and Culture Bureau for their warm reception, shared vision, and commitment to Nigeria’s cultural heritage agenda.

As the WHV 2025 activities draw nearer, AFIDFF looks forward to working hand in hand with stakeholders in Kano to deliver a transformative and impactful heritage conservation experience.

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