GPF Nigeria Participates in AFAN Festival 2025, Celebrating Unity and Culture in Kaduna State

Wairimu Mwangi
January 15, 2025
Amidst the vibrant crowd at the AFAN Festival, a group of people outdoors hold signs reading

AFAN Cultural and Tourism Festival 2025 participants show support for One Family under God

On January 1, 2025, the AFAN Cultural and Tourism Festival 2025 took center stage in Kagoro Chiefdom, Kaduna State in Nigeria, drawing over 20,000 attendees to the Chief’s Palace Square. This year’s celebration carried the theme, “Kagoro: The Year of Renaissance,” highlighting the community’s commitment to rediscovering its cultural identity and reinforcing values that foster peace and development. The AFAN Festival, a longstanding tradition, marks a moment of thanksgiving and celebration for the Kagoro community.

The festival’s revival in 2024, following years of interruptions, has restored its importance as a beacon of peacebuilding and cultural preservation. The 2025 edition, supported by the Global Peace Foundation (GPF) Nigeria, local stakeholders, and the Kaduna State Government, exceeded all expectations, with a record-breaking turnout and participation from leaders, traditional rulers, women, youth, and artisans.

A group of people, some in traditional attire, walk in a parade holding a banner that reads

GPF Nigeria advocates for peacebuilding at the AFAN Cultural and Tourism Festival 2025

Central to the festival was its emphasis on unity and cohesion. From the interfaith participation of religious leaders to family-focused activities, the event underscored the power of shared traditions to foster peace and mutual respect. Attendees witnessed cultural performances, traditional dance sessions, and a procession honoring district heads and titleholders, reflecting the deep-rooted heritage of the Kagoro Chiefdom.

GPF Nigeria established and supported women’s cooperatives, which played a pivotal role in the event’s success. These cooperatives have become a model of unity, bringing together women from diverse religious backgrounds and creating social funds to support members in times of need. Cooperative leader Asabe Audu described the initiative as the backbone of community support, celebrating its impact on women’s empowerment and solidarity.

“Through the women’s cooperatives, we’ve created a strong network of support that transcends religious and cultural divides. This year’s festival was not just a celebration of culture but a show of the strength and resilience of our community,” she said.

A group of people in traditional attire, featuring red and black colors, perform a cultural dance at the AFAN Festival in Kaduna State. The vibrant scene embodies unity and culture, set against an outdoor event backdrop with tents and a lively crowd.

Many tribes gather to perform cultural dances at the AFAN Cultural and Tourism Festival 2025

Dignitaries, including the Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, and representatives of the Federal Government, highlighted the festival’s transformative role in promoting cultural pride and reconciliation. In her address, Dr. Balarabe commended the efforts of the Kagoro Development Association and GPF Nigeria in restoring this vital tradition. She called for sustained collaboration to ensure the festival remains a cornerstone of peacebuilding.

His Highness, Dr. UfuwaiBonet, Chief of Kagoro, eloquently articulated the festival’s significance as a time to reflect on shared values and history. “This festival is a call for revival—a chance to redefine our identity and uphold the cultural heritage that binds us,” he remarked.

The festival’s success is attributed to strategic partnerships and grassroots efforts in the community, including GPF Nigeria’s establishment of peace structures and women’s cooperatives. These initiatives have reinforced the festival’s role as a unifying force and a platform for peacebuilding in the region.

At the AFAN Festival 2025, men in traditional attire play large drums at a vibrant outdoor cultural event. They wear decorated outfits with beads and fringe, embodying unity as some perform enthusiastically with eyes closed, lost in the rhythm of their shared culture.

Drummers perform at the AFAN Cultural and Tourism Festival 2025

Looking ahead, the festival’s organizers are committed to expanding its impact. GPF Nigeria has pledged continued support for the event, emphasizing the importance of local partnerships and resource mobilization to ensure its sustainability.

The AFAN Festival stands as evidence of the power of cultural traditions in fostering harmony and resilience. As Kagoro Chiefdom looks to the future, this annual celebration of unity and heritage will continue to inspire and empower its people, reminding them of the enduring strength found in togetherness. As Mr. Gimba, Chairman of the Kagoro Peace and Reconciliation Committee shared, “The AFAN Festival is more than a cultural event; it’s a bridge that connects our diverse communities. Thanks to the support of the GPF Nigeria, we’ve seen unprecedented unity and peace. This festival reminds us that we are truly One Family under God.”

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