By Ekuson Nw’Ogbunka in Abuja
Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, has urged Nigerian and African youths to take the lead in promoting and preserving their cultural heritage, stressing that culture remains a unifying force across communities.
Senator Barau gave the charge on Sunday in Accra, Ghana, as Guest of Honour at the World Hausa Day 2026 celebration organised by Hausa Youth Ghana at the Forecourt of the State House.
In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, the Deputy Senate President described the event as an important platform for celebrating the rich heritage, language, and identity of the Hausa people.
He said Hausa is much more than a means of communication, noting that for centuries it has served as a bridge among people across West Africa in commerce, scholarship, diplomacy, literature and social interaction.
“The widespread use of Hausa across national borders reflects the deep historical, cultural and social connections that exist among Africans,” he said, adding that Ghana and Nigeria share a long history of interaction in trade, education and migration.
Senator Barau, who is also the First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, stressed that the survival of the Hausa language depends largely on its transmission from one generation to another.
He challenged Hausa youth in Ghana and across Africa to take pride in their heritage, pursue quality education, acquire modern skills, embrace innovation, and create opportunities for others in their communities.
In a gesture to support education and cultural preservation, Senator Barau awarded scholarships to two members of the Hausa community in Ghana to study Hausa Language at the undergraduate or postgraduate level in Nigerian universities.
