By Henry Umoru
ABUJA — Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin (APC, Kano North), has urged youths to take the lead in preserving and promoting the Hausa language, culture and heritage.
Barau made the call at the weekend in Accra, Ghana, where he served as Guest of Honour at the 2026 World Hausa Day celebration organised by Hausa Youth Ghana at the Forecourt of the State House.
He commended Hausa Youth Ghana for its efforts to promote the Hausa language, culture and heritage, describing the initiative as a significant contribution to strengthening the relationship between Ghana and Nigeria.
The Deputy President of the Senate was accompanied by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Army and Northern Senators Forum, Senator Abdulazeez Yar’Adua; Chairman, Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND, Senator Muntari Dandutse; and Chairman, Senate Committee on Basic and Secondary Education, Senator Lawal Adamu Usman.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, Barau described World Hausa Day as an important platform for celebrating the rich heritage, language, culture and identity of the Hausa people, while promoting friendship, unity and mutual understanding among communities.
He said Hausa was more than a means of communication, noting that the language had, for centuries, served as a bridge among people across West Africa and played important roles in commerce, scholarship, diplomacy, literature, traditional institutions and social interaction.
According to him, the widespread use of Hausa across national borders reflects the deep historical, cultural and social ties among African communities.
“Ghana and Nigeria share a long history of interaction in trade, education, migration, culture and diplomacy. The Hausa community in Ghana has also continued to make meaningful contributions to the social and economic development of the country while preserving its cultural heritage,” he said.
Barau, who is also the First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, stressed that the survival of the Hausa language depended largely on its transmission from one generation to another.
He therefore urged young people to take the lead in preserving, promoting and modernising the language.
The senator challenged Hausa youths in Ghana and across Africa to take pride in their heritage and channel it towards building a better future.
He urged them to pursue quality education, acquire modern skills, embrace innovation, establish businesses, create opportunities for others and contribute positively to the communities where they live.
As part of efforts to support education and the preservation of the Hausa language, Barau awarded scholarships to two members of the Hausa community in Ghana to study Hausa Language at undergraduate or postgraduate level in Nigerian universities.
He also extended greetings to the government and people of Ghana, reaffirming the importance of the enduring friendship and strong relations between Ghana and Nigeria.
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