By Ibrahim Muhammad Kano. The Margi Community in Kano State on Saturday celebrated a historic double event - the Yawal Cultural ...
By Ibrahim Muhammad Kano.
The Margi Community in Kano State on Saturday celebrated a historic double event - the Yawal Cultural Festival and the First Anniversary of His Majesty, Elder Wadzani Adamu Mamza, Ptil Margi Kano State, on the throne.
The colourful event, which also featured the installation of new Bulamas and Lawans and the recognition of notable Margi personalities, was held in Kano and attracted traditional leaders, government representatives, tribal community leaders, and thousands of Margi sons and daughters.
In his welcome address, the Secretary to the Ptil Margi Kano, Mr. Zakariya Yusuf Midala Uvu, described the celebration as historic and divinely guided.
According to him, Yawal remains the soul and identity of the Margi people.
"Yawal is our thanksgiving for bountiful harvest, our prayer for peace, and our school where our children learn bravery, hard work, honesty and respect. By celebrating it here in Kano, far from our hills, we are declaring that our culture will never die and our language will never disappear," he said.
Mr. Uvu noted that in just one year, His Majesty has united all Margi associations under one umbrella, built strong bridges of peace with the Kano Emirate Council and the Kano State Government, revived the cultural dance troupe and language class for children born in Kano, and stood as a pillar of justice for every Margi.
Giving a brief history of the community, the President of Margi Community Development Association, Kano State, *Elder Apagu Awanuwai Wabba*, traced the presence of Margis in Kano to the 1940s.
He explained that Margi elders formally organized themselves into a community association in 1962 at Brigade Quarters, Kano, which later decentralized into branches due to population growth. Today, Margis are densely populated in Panshekara, Sharada, Bompai, Farawa, Tudun Murtala, Badawa, Rimin Kebe, Darmanawa and many other areas, where they live peacefully and contribute to the socio-economic development of the state.
Elder Wabba recalled how the long absence of a traditional leader was addressed in 2018 under his leadership, leading to the constitution of a Central Committee. After the painful loss of the first nominee, the late ASP Linus Bello, and the interim leadership of Elder Baba Agwana (ASP Rtd) as Wakili Margi in 2022, the committee finally nominated *Elder Wadzani Adamu Mamza* in early 2025. He was installed on 18th October, 2025.
"Within just one year, His Royal Majesty Elder Wadzani Adamu has proven to be a blessing. He has united the Margi people and restored pride, peace and purpose," Wabba stated.
In his royal speech, the Ptil Margi Kano, His Majesty Elder Wadzani Adamu Mamza, thanked God and the entire Margi community for entrusting him with leadership and described the day as "threefold joy."
"If we lose our culture, we lose ourselves," he warned, charging parents to speak Margi to their children.
On his one-year reign, the monarch said he promised Unity, Peace and Progress and has achieved collective progress.
Announcing the installation of new Bulamas and Lawans, the Ptil said the titles are not for pride but a call to service.
"Lead your people with fear of God, with justice, with humility and with honesty," he charged.
In his goodwill message, the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State, Hon. Umar Doguwa, who attended the event with his entourage and donated the sum of One Million Naira (N1m), commended the Margi community.
Hon. Doguwa said Kano State under Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf is home to diverse ethnic groups living in peace, and expressed delight at the peaceful coexistence of the Margi people with everyone.
"Preserving culture is extremely important. Wherever you find yourself, knowing your culture will preserve your dignity," he said.
The event ended with cultural dances, display of rich Margi attire, and prayers for long life for His Majesty, peace in Kano State and Nigeria at large.
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