By; SANI ALIYU, Zaria.
Professor Sa’idu Muhammad Gusau of Bayero University Kano has advised perfoming artists (traditional musicians) in Hausa land to embrace commerce with a view to become self reliance.
Gusau who gave the advice as a guest lecturer at the annual symposium organized by the Department of African Languages and culture, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria held at Mamman Kontagora Square, Wednesday.
He said thing are changing with global transformation in all aspects of human endeavour as well the traditional music.
Professor Gusau said traditional singers and music is facing serious challenge as modern musical facilities are trying to unstaged them.
Earlier in his message, Vice-Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Professor Ibrahim Garba challenged Hausa stakeholders to intensify efforts toward sustaining traditional Hausa song and music.
Garba, who was represented by Prof. Sule Bello, Director, Institute for Development and Research, observed that tradition was critical to the future success of evolving generations.
He commended the efforts of the department for sustaining the annual event. The VC observed that such commitment would continue to keep Hausa culture alive.
In his speech, the Chairman of the occasion, Dr Bello Al-Hassan stressed the need to protect, defend and preserve rich Hausa cultural values.
Earlier, the Head of African Languages and Culture, Dr Salisu Garba-Kargi said the essence of the symposium was to connect research work with the people on whom the research was being conducted.
He said the department was done with what a Hausa man was yesterday, “what he is today and what he will be tomorrow?
“Now we dwell on royal singers to promote rich Hausa cultural song such as Taushi, Girke, kuntugi and Kotso”.
