INTERNATIONAL POETRY MONTH

The Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) Kano state branch in collaboration with the American Corner of Murtala Muhammad Library, Kano had celebrated the International Poetry Month. The event which was held on 29^th April, 2014 at the American Corner, Murtala Muhammad Library, Kano witnessed the presence of prominent and the emerging poets. Among the dignitaries at the occasion were former ANA Kano Chairman; Professor Yusuf M. Adamu, ANA Kano Chairman; Ismail Bala, American Corner Coordinator; Nura Mudi, ANA Kano branch Secretary; Zaharaddeen Kallah, Dr. Rabi Abdulsalam Ibrahim, Isa Muhammad Inuwa, Tijjani Muhammad Musa, Maryam Ali Ali, A.T. Tahir and other distinguish poets.

In his welcome address, Nura Mudi commended the effort of the Association for reawakening literary activities in the state. According to him, over the period of their partnership with the Association, a lot has been achieved, and that made them to appreciate the partnership. Therefore, he said that the American Corner is ready to assist the association in anything that would promote education and literary activities.

The Chairman of the occasion, Professor Yusuf M. Adamu was delighted with the way ANA Kano maintains its literary activities. He recounted his experience on ANA Kano Creative Writers’ Forum of the olden days and related it with the present day fora.

The keynote speaker, Ismail Bala who is a poet and critic of European and African poetry dwelled so much on poetry. In his paper titled, “The Poem as a Journey” discussed a lot on skills of writing poetry and its relationship to reading. The guest speaker went on to compared the art of poetry to a journey through which one passes, which could involve a number literary adventures.

Reading session followed immediately after the conclusion of keynote address. In the first round, some of the poems presented included, Chibok Girls by Isa Muhammad Inuwa, The Search in Sambisa by Yaseer Kallah, and The Cliff by Ahmad Salisu Ahmad. Also in the round, Zaharaddeen I. Kallah presented a poem, entitled, The Globalised World, and Tijjani Muhammad Musa presented a poem, We Are Struggling to Survive; Only to Die and Badamasi G. Muhd read a poem The Most Eloquent Speaker while Prof. Yusuf M. Adamu presented a poem entitled, Living in Peace. Two short stories were presented, one by a primary school pupil, Abubakar Tijjani Mato who presented a story entitled, Two Friends. The other short story was presented by Zainab Tijjani Mato with the title, The Day I Will Never Forget.

 You don’t need to be told  how interesting the round was as it allowed young and prominent poets to share their views on literary and current affairs in the nation, more especially the issue of abducted girls in the nation. Some of the young poets were more radical with happenings in the nation, which was attributed to the negligence of our leaders.

The second round began with a poem entitled, A Poem by Bello Sagir Imam, and followed by She by Gwa Dominic Doohemba, while a poem entitled, The Candle was presented by Lawan Salisu Lawan. The next poem with a title, If You Can’t Beat Them… came from Nazeer Ibrahim Kallah, while Saddiqa Tijjani Mato presented a poem What a Mysterious Life. Other poems presented include, Temptation by A.T. Tahir, Shit by Badamasi Aliyu Abdullahi, Letter to the Editor by Mazhun Idris, Yar Giwa by Ahmad Lawan, My Nostalgia, My-groundnut by Hashim Abdullahi Tanko and What a Lost by Ghazali Sani Sanda. The only short story in the round was Zahra Tijjani Mato’s The Vices Were Punished. Just like the first round, some of the poems attracted comments and criticisms, which at the end of the round gave the writers opportunity to respond.

The programme was rounded up with a vote of thank by the branch Secretary, Zaharaddeen Kallah. In his speech, he congratulated the participants for celebratings a wonderful poetry month. The branch Secretary called on the old poets to be attending the association’s monthly forum in order to encourage the emerging poets. Closing prayers were offered by Isa Muhammad Inuwa.

By

Zaharaddeen Ibrahim Kallah

dinik2003@yahoo.co.uk

africanglobalpoet.blogspot.com