Niger State:The State of Sparkling Literary Symbols
To a section of Nigerians,Niger State is linked to the narratives of friends and family members,who worked on the construction site of the Kainji dam in the 1960s.To many teenagers,it is via their Geography lessons,where they treat topics related to agriculture, human resources and the physical features of Niger State.While to the general public,it is the state of two former presidents,splendid historical attractions,arts and crafts produced by artisans,whose skill acquisition process is from one generation of craftsmen to the other,the Mokwa flood and the unsuccessful bid of Minna as UNESCO City of Literature in 2025.
Blending Literary History With Cultural Diplomacy
It is not only travel professionals that are fond of the literary heritage of Niger State.The State policy makers like to toot the literary advancements of the State by spotlighting the state in the personal development of the great names in Nigerian literary history such as the first president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the author of My Odyssey,the stints of Chinua Achebe,Cyprian Ekwensi and insert into this list of eminent persons,the name of Sir Ben Okri,knighted by King Charles III for services to Literature in 2023. Without neglecting the State network of educational institutions,libraries,bookshops,publishers and literary campaigners.
Literary Advocacy At Full Throttle
The work of the literary advocates of Niger State has five distinct traits.The first feature is the institutional framework via the Hill Top Creative Arts Foundation due to the efforts of the big,the famous and the drive of literary activists as outlined in the roadmap established by Alhaji Bala Abdulahi Kwatu and Mallam BM Dzukogi,the convener of the first edition of the Northern Writers Summit.Personalities that are eager to form the next generation of creative professionals,redeem humanity through arts,build friendship and a sustainable future.HIAFEST or the Hadiza Ibrahim Aliyu Schools Festival is the second feature of the work of these literary policy makers as this event runs for four days with poetry,short story writing,song,drama and cultural dance.
To the above features we must add the recent launch of a writing residency that the first two participants described as highly encouraging.And in the world of today,where there is that systematic desire to make us believe that the print is dead,the launch of MAAR, a literary print review that offers press clips opportunities for new and unestablished writers consolidated the literary status of the city of Minna in Niger State.
