By Salim Yunusa
The Hadiza Ibrahim Aliyu Schools Festival (Hiasfest), a three-day festival, recently held in Minna, Niger State. It is sponsored by Alhaji Bala Abdullahi Kwatu and Aliyu Trust Foundation. This festival is fast turning into Minna’s gift to the African teen just 3 years after it’s conception.
HIASFEST held last week in Minna, Niger state. It was graced by the Former Minister of sports, Engr. Sani Ndanusa, Permanent Secretary, Commissioner of Education, the VC of FUT Minna, Prof. Abdullahi Bala and ANA President, Barr Ahmed Maiwada.
Conceived and organized by the Hilltop Creative Arts Foundation, this annual schools Arts Festival provides an exploratory stage for Nigerian students to compete in poetry, short story, and nonfiction writing; spoken word, cultural dance, painting, craft, song, drama, and quiz. The festival also awards scholarships to University students and literary Prizes for Teen authors and for indigenous languages writings.
This year, winners went home with cash prizes worth N3million and many trophies and plaques. Numerous number of secondary schools and their students, participated in the festival.
SAHELIAN TIMES interviewed Mujahid Ameen Lilo, who was awarded the National HIASFEST Star Prize, for the most progressive teen author in Nigeria. He said “I am ever grateful to the sponsors and members of Hill-Top Creative Arts Foundation and festival organizers for this beautiful memory they have created in recognition of what I have been doing in the literary circle. In what’s undoubtedly the highlight of my writing life, I feel wonderfully seen, extremely encouraged, I feel a star! He said.
He also delivered the keynote address titled “Developing Teenage Creativity: A Trigger to the Pursuits of Dreams”
The convener, Mallam BM Dzukogi, in an emotional speech while closing the festival, mentioned how they’re seeking partnerships and collaborations and have reached out to Secretary General of PAWA on seeing how to enlist some West African countries to attend 2022 edition and the need for funds to establish the Hilltop Residency. “Finally, if I don’t get to this point next year, it’s all well; everything goes, in the end. “He said.
