Katsina State Government is set to take center stage as the host of the 2025 ECOWAS Food and Cultural Festival, themed “African Cultural Values and Food Security for Peace and Development.”
This was revealed yesterday during a meeting with the ECOWAS Food and Cultural delegation and State Governor Malam Dikko Umar Radda.
The Governor expressed his gratitude to the delegation for selecting Katsina as the host state for this landmark event.
The Governor emphasized the significance of gastronomy as a vital and sustainable component of the agricultural value chain, adding that its potential to foster peace and development across the region.
“The people of Katsina are known for their hospitality, and we look forward to welcoming our brothers and sisters from Nigeria and other ECOWAS countries. Cultural events and diplomacy have the power to reduce unnecessary tensions and instead focus on socioeconomic development, food security, and peace,” the Governor remarked.
Governor Radda further announced that Dr. Kabir Ali Masanawa, Executive Director/CEO of the Katsina State History and Culture Bureau, has been tasked with elevating the state’s profile on cultural preservation and tourism to a global level.
The ECOWAS Food and Cultural Fiesta aligns with the directive of Governor Radda during Eid-El-Fitr that the state’s iconic Durbar festival must be improved to ensure cultural preservation.
Ambassador Prince Felix Ihonre, Director-General of the ECOWAS Food and Cultural Festival and former United Nations Student Representative, expressed his appreciation to the Governor for the warm reception and support.
Ambassador Ihonre described the Katsina State History and Culture Bureau’s proposed venue as “the best facility of its size and capacity in the country.”
He also announced that the festival would attract investors in agriculture, particularly from the diaspora and within Nigeria, further boosting the region’s economic prospects.
Dr. Kabir Ali Masanawa noted the significant economic benefits of hosting the festival, which is expected to draw thousands of visitors. “The festival will create opportunities across event management, local markets, tourism, logistics, and other industries, benefiting our youth and artisans. It will also drive demand for hospitality services, food, and transportation,” he stated.
The preparatory meeting was attended by key stakeholders, including the Chief of Staff, Rt Hon Abdulkadir Mamman Nasir, the Honorable Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hajia Hadiza Yar’adua as well as Alh. Ibrahim Jikamshi, Director-General of the Katsina Investment Promotion Agency and Alh. Haruna Musa Rugoji, General Manager of the Katsina State Transport Authority (KTSTA).
The 2025 ECOWAS Food and Cultural Festival promises to be a historic event, spotlighting Katsina State as a hub of culture, heritage, and economic growth while promoting the collective values of peace and development across West Africa.
