Buni Moves to Restore Yobe’s Cultural Pride, Sets Up High-Powered Committee to Revive Traditional Wrestling (Kokuwa)

Potiskum LGA Eyes
@muhammadnuraibrahim848393
26 days ago

The Yobe State Government has approved a high-powered Cultural Committee to revive the state’s cultural heritage, with emphasis on the traditional wrestling sport known as Kokuwa, in a renewed effort by Gov. Mai Mala Buni to strengthen cultural identity and youth engagement across the state.

A letter issued by the Office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and dated 3rd November 2025, confirmed the appointment of His Excellency Hon. Idi Barde Gubana, Deputy Governor of Yobe State, as Chairman of the committee, following the approval of His Excellency Gov. Mai Mala Buni, CON.

The committee comprises senior government officials, members of the State Assembly, special advisers, heads of cultural institutions, and council chairmen, signaling the government’s commitment to cultural restoration beyond ceremonial activities.

Unlike previous years, where cultural promotion was limited to symbolic occasions, the new committee is tasked with developing a sustainable framework for cultural revival, organizing tournaments, and restoring festivals across local governments.

Stakeholders say the initiative addresses long-standing concerns over the gradual disappearance of traditional activities, especially Kokuwa, which once attracted spectators from within and outside Yobe.

According to the letter, the committee will design programs to:

Reintroduce Kokuwa competitions statewide. Engage youths through traditional sports, Promote cultural tourism and entertainment, Document and preserve cultural history. Collaborate with communities for grassroots participation.

Residents say the initiative will restore pride in cultural identity while opening new economic opportunities for young people involved in traditional sports, costume making, and local arts.

This move strengthens the administration’s reputation for balancing development with cultural values. While some states are losing cultural identity to modernization, the Buni administration has consistently prioritized cultural preservation, tourism growth, and youth involvement.

Public analyst Ibrahim Bukar noted, “Culture is a soft power; it promotes unity, security, and identity. By reviving Kokuwa, Yobe is not only preserving history but also creating a new social and economic pipeline for young people.”

The initiative has also sparked positive reactions from community leaders and cultural associations, who see it as a turning point in returning Yobe to its traditional heritage roots.

With the committee already approved, residents expect the return of major Kokuwa tournaments and cultural festivals in the coming seasons.

Gov. Buni’s cultural revival is more than a government program—it is a legacy project aimed at ensuring that future generations inherit the identity, history, and pride that shaped the Kanem-Bornu region for centuries.

As the committee begins work, cultural enthusiasts say the revival will send a strong message: Yobe State has not forgotten its heritage—and under Gov. Buni, it never will.

Mal. Ibrahim M. Nura
Special Assistant on Information and Communication
Office of the Executive Chairman, Potiskum Local Government Area.

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