A peek into Northern Writers’ Summit in Katsina
Seasoned writers, artists and academics from all over Nigeria gathered in Katsina penultimate week for the 3rd Northern Nigerian Writers’ Summit. The event was hosted by Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Katsina State chapter on October 3 to 6, 2017.This year’s event, themed ‘Literature and National Integration: The Role of Writers as Bridge Builders’ took […]
Seasoned writers, artists and academics from all over Nigeria gathered in Katsina penultimate week for the 3rd Northern Nigerian Writers’ Summit. The event was hosted by Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Katsina State chapter on October 3 to 6, 2017.This year’s event, themed ‘Literature and National Integration: The Role of Writers as Bridge Builders’ took place at the auditorium of Katsina State Secretariat. It attracted academics and literary enthusiasts from all walks of life who delivered papers on literature.
At the opening ceremony, the Katsina State ANA Chairman, Muhammad Kabir in a welcome address explained the idea behind hosting the summit. It was a medium for writers in the region to brainstorm, discuss and display their talents through short stories, plays, and poems.
The chairman called on the Katsina State government to support writers in the state, who he described as cornerstones in the development of education in the society. He expressed the readiness of members to continue writing for educational purpose, enlightenment and entertainment.
In his address, chairman of the occasion, the Sardauna of Katsina and Walin Hausa, former Inspector-General of Police, Alhaji Ibrahim Coomassie, represented by his brother, Alhaji Dahiru Coomassie commended the conveners for choosing a befitting theme. He said it will help in addressing the agitations that will lead Nigeria to disintegration. He enjoined members of ANA to write what will unite the country and at the same time develop reading culture among the Nigerian citizens.
In the same vein, delivering his keynote address, the Waziri of Katsina, Professor Sani Abubakar Lugga reviewed and analyzed the theme of the summit. He explained the reasons behind the spread of ‘hate speech’ that divide the Nigerian citizens along ethnic and religious lines, creating tensions and apprehensions.
While drawing the attention of writers as to what they are expected of them, Lugga said “writers could play roles as bridge builders.”
A short live drama depicting the importance of national unity was performed by Young Readers and Writers’ Club of Danmasani Academy Katsina. Sarkin Fulani Dankama, Malam Ishaka delivered Hausa anecdotes and eulogy while Bashir Yahuza Malumfashi delivered three poems in Hausa and English titled, ‘Buhari Ikon Allah,’ ‘Kainuwa’ and ‘Sardauna’, respectively.
The national president ANA, Mr. Denja Abdullahi called on the writers to give more priority to culture and tradition while writing to inculcate discipline, peace and development in the society. He also emphasized the importance of writers in the society as bridge builders for national development and drew the attention of leaders in the society to offer help to writers.
The Special Guest of Honour, the Governor of Katsina State, the Dallatu of Katsina and Matawallen Hausa, Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari, represented by the Commissioner of Information, Alhaji Hamza Muhammad Borodo praised the efforts of ANA for convening the summit for the unity of Nigeria. He said that education is the cornerstone for the development of society.
Activities during the three-day summit included a courtesy visit to the Emir of Katsina, his royal highness Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir and tour of notable places of history in the state.
The emir tasked writers to write in their indigenous languages. He lamented the recent ban of teaching Hausa and Islamic religious knowledge in primary schools in the state.
Writers toured the legendary Gobarau minaret believed to have been in existence for the past 700 years, the famous Katsina College, the Alma meter of Sardauna Ahmadu Bello, Abubakar Imam and other Nigerian leaders. They ended the visit at the Nigerian Museum in Katsina.
Notable academics and literary scholars also presented papers during the summit which ended with a closing ceremony dinner where some notable people were honoured for their contributions to education and literature in the country. The awardees, some post-humorously, were the Governor of Katsina State, Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari, Alhaji Umaru Dembo, late Abubakar Imam, Dr. Yusuf Bala Usman, Justice Musa Danladi Abubakar, Malam Labo Yari, Hajia A’isha Umar Muhammad, Dr. Bukar Usman, Hajia Hafsat Abdulwahid, Dr. Halima Yalwa Adamu, Alhaji Bashir Tofa and late Malam Hadi Alkanci.