Abdulrahman Usman Leme is a Project Development Expert with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) tasked with advising and supporting the Nigerian government in implementing an intervention programme for the redemption and education of children and young adults at risk.
Hadiza Isma El-Rufai
@hadizel
is the founder of Yasmin El-Rufai Foundation (YELF), a non-governmental organization that focuses on 2 programs: the Creative Writing Program (CWP), and the Women Literacy Program (WLP).
#kabafest22
#kabafest
🔊GUEST ANNOUNCEMENT🔊
Khadija Yusra Sanusi
@khadijasanusi_
is a seasoned writer, creative thinker, editor, poet, educator and journalist. Passionate about Islam, women and amplifying Northern Nigerian voices, she is the editor of both “Broken: Not a Halal Love Story” and
We are delighted to announce that the 3rd edition of the Kaduna Book and Arts Festival will take place from the 11th to the 14th of September.
Watch this space for more details.
The Kaduna Book and Arts Festival is almost here.
Listen to Governor Nasiru El-Rufai tell us how important Kabafest is to the North and to Nigeria as a whole, promoting art, culture, music, literature and important conversations around social issues.
#kabafest19
is coming!
"I recently started a publishing company targeted at telling our own story and promoting indigenous stories"
~ Hadiza El-Rufai
@hadizel
– Improving Literacy Across Northern Nigeria
#KabaFest22
#KabaFest
Almajiri system is an accepted form of welfare in northern Nigeria. However, in practice, it traps children in a cycle of illiteracy & poverty. Given the out-of-school statistics, particularly affecting the girl-child in the North, we must explore new ways of supporting children.
"The situation needs serious intervention, and this situation cannot be left in the hands of CSOs or development partners alone. There is a need for deliberate intervention by the government."
~
@Abdulrahmanleme
– Almajiranci: New approaches to an Old Problem
#KabaFest22
Announcing New Poetry Prize!!
The new Climate Change Poetry Prize is open to Nigerian poets between 18-35 years who reside in Nigeria.
Submissions should be in MS Word, Calibri, Font Size 12.
🔊GUEST ANNOUNCEMENT🔊
Salim Yunusa
@salimpotter
is a creative storyteller, content creator, social media influencer & Hausa Language expert. He founded Poetic Wednesdays Initiative, an organization that promotes literary development in Northern Nigeria.
Simnom Emmanuel
@simnom_emmanuel
is the Co-Founder of Kaduna Women In Tech and is the Project Manager at Kadahive Hub. She works with women & young girls to develop their tech skills. She is also a podcaster, blogger, and tech enthusiast who loves to solve problems.
#kabafest22
"Creativity neither knows no tribe or culture nor requires much, it only requires a platform, and Kabafest is that platform."
~Hafiz Bayero
@HafizBayero
(Administrator, Kaduna Capital Territory Authority
- Gratitude Speech
#KabaFest22
#KabaFest
We’re thrilled to present author Helon Habila
@HelonHabila
with the Lifetime Achievement Award at our Opening Ceremony on May 2, 2024!!
Join us in celebrating an outstanding Nigerian author whose exceptional works have contributed significantly to Literature globally.
#Kabafest
Abdulbasit Abubakar
@abwordsmith_
is a writer, storyteller and performer living in Kano, Nigeria. He is a graduate of Mass Communication from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. His works have appeared on Rizal Journal, Guinevere Review, and other publications worldwide.
#kabafest22
Hadiza El-Rufai
@hadizel
talks to Muhammad Sani
@Dattijo
about his role as Commissioner for Budget and Planning, and how he, together with the Kaduna team, disrupted the status quo to be more effective in improving government’s financial systems and infrastructure.
#KabaFest22
Who else noticed that the subtle theme of
#KabaFest19
was "powerful women"
With the poetry, conversations, art exhibition and book discussions, it was clear that female excellence was served at KabaFest.
This photo was taken after the "Women As Leaders In Nothern Nigeria" panel
The Governor Of Kaduna State, Nasir Ahmad
@elrufai
is Here with us at
#Kabafest
💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻
The governor is doing everything he can to revive interest of young people in Arts and humanities
#KabaFest19
🔊GUEST ANNOUNCEMENT🔊
Pastor Poju Oyemade
@pastorpoju
is the Senior Pastor and Founder of The Covenant Nation (TCN) where he oversees a dynamic community of believers. He is a highly regarded teacher who draws out insightful lessons from God’s word that are applicable to the
Individuals between the ages of 21 and 26 can now apply to volunteer at the upcoming Kaduna Book and Arts Festival on our website (link in bio).
APPLICATION CLOSES ON MARCH 10!!
Have a tour of the venue with the Festival Director. We have been working on the set up so you can have an amazing festival experience.
See you tomorrow, 2 May 2024!!
#Kabafest24
Kabafest students book grant is open
All interested students can apply
Students in Kaduna are in for a treat! 100 undergraduates to get N20,000 worth of books at
@KabaFest19
, courtesy of Kaduna State
Registration for workshops, grants and the festival have also started
"I feel the best form of sustainability is to empower the next group of people that are going to do it to be able to actually do it."
~Muhammad Sani Dattijo
@Dattijo
Disruption
#KabaFest22
#KabaFest
Aishatu Armiyau graduated from Bayero University Kano, Nigeria with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree. She is on the panel discussing Mental Health as Priority in Northern Nigeria.
KabaFest begins tomorrow, and we are excited.
If you don't remember that KabaFest is all encompassing, this video is the reminder you need.
If you have not bought your tickets, register at the venue.
#KabaFest22
Hello everyone! We sincerely apologize for our radio silence, but we are excited to inform everyone that Kabafest will hold on the 5th - 8th of September 2018 at the Silversands Hotel Kaduna.
Muhammad
@Dattijo
is an upcoming author and currently the Senatorial candidate for Kaduna Central Senatorial District.
He was the former Chief of Staff to Governor Nasir el-Rufai.
#kabafest22
#kabafest
Welcome to September!!
As we start the official countdown for kabafest, here's a recap of the past festivals, featuring
@BukkyShonibare
@ogundamisi
@NgugiEvuti
The dates are 11 - 14 September
Venue is SilverSand hotels, 19 Katuru road, Ungwan Sarki Muslimi, Kaduna
Today, we celebrate Ruona Meyer (
@RGAMeyer
), a very driven investigative journalist who fearlessly chases stories and her dreams.
Happy 38th birthday, thank you for your work, dedication and strength in character.
We love you (and your use of memes 😉) at KabaFest ❤️
Why do you love books?
This handler loves books because they are the best and cheapest teleportation device to ever exist.
Tell us in the comments.
#KabaFest22
#KabaFest
Kicking off Women's History Month with this photo of Yan Kidan Kwarya, a griot company of aged women who splashed the audience with local colours at KabaFest19 opening ceremony.
Their performance in Hausa, glowing with rustic beauty, is reminiscent of everything cultural
After a two-year hiatus, we are delighted to be back! The 4th edition of Kaduna Book and Arts Festival returns to Kaduna with a warm reception featuring poetry, prose, goodwill messages, prize-giving and music.
#KabaFest22
#KabaFest
Asabe Madaki
@AsabeMadaki
is the first Northern personality to be nominated for the AMVCA category for best actress in Africa (2022). She is also a Chartered Mediator and Conciliator with the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators (ICMC).
#kabafest22
#kabafest
🔊GUEST ANNOUNCEMENT🔊
Lola Shoneyin
@lolashoneyin
is a Nigerian author, poet, publisher, bookseller, festival organiser and cultural activist. Her works explore womanhood and the intricacies of domestic life. She is the founder of the Ake Arts & Book Festival and she curates
Nabilah Usman
@TheNabilahusman
is a journalist & cohost of the morning drive time show ‘Now breakfast’ on Radionow 95.3 F.M Lagos. She served as a judge in the maiden edition of the Hafsat Abdulwaheed Women Short Story Prize organised by the Yasmin El-Rufai Literary Foundation.
Religion has not failed, it’s the followers of the religion that has failed
- Dr. Saidu Ahmad Dukawa
Ongoing: ‘The Politics of Religion’ - Panel discussion with Dr. Saidu Ahmad Dukawa,
@pastorpoju
moderated by Kadaria Ahmed
#Kabafest
#Kabafest24
🔊GUEST ANNOUNCEMENT🔊
Abduljalal Musa Aliyu
@AbduljalaalMusa
is a school teacher and poet. He writes from Zaria, Nigeria. He is the author of Encyclopedia of Dolour (Chestnut Review, 2024). His work appears in Chestnut Review, Vast Chasm Magazine, Brittle Paper, Ninshar Arts,
🔊KABAFEST24 EVENT🔊
Kabefest popular traditional closing event. This is where our guests, music & poetry lovers gather for the final bit of fun to say goodbye and renew vows to meet again at next year's event.
Voiceless tells the story of Salma and Goni; one captured and forced to work for the insurgents as a skilled mechanic, the other kidnapped along with other girls from her school to serve the lust and drive home the agenda of the insurgents.
#KabaFest22
#KabaFest
🔊GUEST ANNOUNCEMENT🔊
Saddiq Dzukogi
@SaddiqDzukogi
is a Nigerian poet and Assistant Professor of English at Mississippi State University. He is the author of Your Crib, My Qibla (University of Nebraska Press, 2021), selected by Carolyn Forché as the winner of the 2021
Salim Yunusa
@salimpotter
is a freelance journalist, a bilingual writer and translator. He's the founder of the Poetic Wednesdays Initiative, an organization that promotes literature & literary activities in Northern Nigeria. He was a speaker at TEDXPOMPOMARI in 2022.
#kabafest22
This year, the KabaFest art exhibition will feature nine artists based in northern Nigeria. From oil to metalwork, these artists employ a variety of mediums to create stunning visual art.
#KabaFest22
#KabaFest
Here's some highlights from the last day at
#KabaFest19
We talked "Objective Reporting and its Impact on Security" during the first panel discussion, the panelists had a lot to say about journalism and breaking a story.
Thanks to
@RGAMeyer
@fisayosoyombo
@KareemReal
@Abdulfagge
🔊GUEST ANNOUNCEMENT🔊
Abdulbasit Abubakar
@TheMalamAudu
is a writer and storyteller with a background in Development Communication. His works have appeared on Brittle Paper, Guinevere Review, Praxis Magazine, Poets in Nigeria, Words Rhymes & Rhythms, and other publications.
🔊GUEST ANNOUNCEMENT🔊
Helon Habila
@helonhabila
was born in Nigeria. He teaches creative writing at George Mason University in Virginia, USA. He is the author of four novels, Waiting for an Angel (2001), Measuring Time (2008), Oil on Water (2011), and Travelers (2019).
Kabafest day 2 recap!
We had 4 Panels, 2 Booklogues and one scintillating Dance Performance.
If you missed it, follow the livestream on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Use the hashtags
#KabaFest
#KabaFest19
#KabaFestGuest
Ado Ahmed Dabino (
@gidandabino
) will be at Kabafest from 11th - 14th September on the "Soyayya Ruwan Zuma-(Romance is Life)" panel.
We're 2 weeks away from the festival and we're so excited to share the great events we have planned for you, BE THERE
#kabafestguest
#kabafest19
Hauwa Shaffii Nuhu
@WaasiShaffii
is a poet & journalist from Nigeria. Her chapbook of poetry “Sister” was published in 2021 by the African Poetry Book Fund in collaboration with Akashic Books. She’s a 2018 resident of the Ebedi Writers Residency and a 2022 Storify Africa fellow.
KabaFest19 day 1 was a HUGE success!!
Many thanks to everyone who came out, our guests, visitors, team, crew, volunteers and all participants contributors to this festival.
Samuel Aruwan is the pioneer Commissioner of Kaduna State's Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs. A graduate of Mass Communication, Aruwan worked at Daily Independent and LEADERSHIP Newspapers, before joining Blueprint Newspapers Limited in 2011.
#kabafest22
#kabafest
The Kaduna State Governor (
@govkaduna
) enjoying the art fair at
#kabafest18
We're 2 weeks away from the festival and we cannot contain our excitement!
Visit our website for all you need to know concerning this year's festival.
#kabafest
#memories
"The most dangerous place for women and girls is their home. Most violence committed against women and girls have been done by men they know."
~
@monaeltahawy
–The Seven Necessary Sins
#KabaFest22
#KabaFest
Congratulations to one of our guests for this year's edition of the festival,
@FrancesOgamba
on winning the 2019 Kofi Addo Prize for nonfiction.
We are excited to have you at this year's festival.
“I have started my own publishing company called Almara Publisher. Our mission is to expose the world to literature from under-supported individuals”
~ Hadiza El-Rufai
@hadizel
– Disruption
#KabaFest22
#KabaFest
NOTICE: New date announced!!!
We apologize for any inconvenience caused. The event date has been changed to May 1 - 4, 2024. We look forward to your understanding and continued anticipation. Thank you!
#KabaFest24
🔊GUEST ANNOUNCEMENT🔊
Hadiza Isma El-Rufai
@hadizel
was born on the 21st of June 1960, in Kano city, Nigeria, where she attended both primary and secondary school. She holds BSc (Architecture), MSc (Architecture) and MBA degrees from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. She also has
Jordan Bangoji
@1thjordan
is a 22 year old songwriter, singer, performer, Producer, professional basketball player, model & aspiring actor from Kaduna State Nigeria.
He has released 2 EPs in which he titled, “Rollercoaster of Love” in 2021 and “Art and Love” in 2022 respectively.
🔊GUEST ANNOUNCEMENT🔊
Segun Arinze popularly known as Black Arrow is a Nollywood Actor, Director, Producer, Writer, Singer, Voice Over Artiste, and one time host of the Popular Give and take National Lottery Game TV Show & No Holds Barred, a High Profile Television Personality
#Kabafest
5.0 left an impact on everyone who attended. We already miss the beautiful faces and the vibrant energy of the people of Kaduna.
We can’t wait for the next edition!!!
#Kabafest24
Maryam Laushi
@MimieLaushi
is a communications expert who focuses particularly on new media and overall communications and media relations strategy. She frequently moderates and participates in panel discussions as a subject matter expert.
#kabafest22
#kabafest
The Nonfiction and the Writers Prerogative panel had
@sibongilefisher
@FrancesOgamba
@WaasiShaffii
and
@Lagos_Tout
give us insight into what it means to write fiction and the authenticity of a collection of essays as a "book".
The audience was properly engaged by the panellists,
🔊KABAFEST24 EVENT🔊
Despite growing awareness, mental health remains stigmatised in Northern Nigeria which hinders access to diagnoses, support & treatment. What role do specific cultural attitudes and social structures play in addressing mental health and can they be overcome?
🔊KABAFEST24 EVENT🔊
Enjoy an illuminating Book Chat with author Helon Habila
@helonhabila
as he unravels the intricate layers of his acclaimed novel, Travellers. Host Hadiza El-Rufai
@hadizel
invites you on a journey through themes of identity, connection, and the universal
I wrote this book for my African brothers and sisters so they can know that the West isn't the answer to everything ~ Bisi Adjapon
Ongoing: Book Chat with author
@bisiadjapon
"Daughter in Exile" moderated by
@SumayyaJaeh
Watch live on youtube, link in bio.
#Kabafest24
Sharon Takim is a public servant with a passion for service & impact. She is currently pursuing a Masters Degree in International Affairs and Strategic Studies at the Nigerian Defense Academy. She served as a Teach for Nigeria Fellow in Kaduna State.
#kabafest
#kabafest22
🔊GUEST ANNOUNCEMENT🔊
Joseph O. Ike
@josephoike
is the Director General of Kaduna State Bureau for Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment (KADBUSA). Under his stewardship the Agency has championed policies and programs that promote access to evidence based community based
Uzee Usman Adeyemi
@uzeeusman
, is a Nigerian actor and film producer known for his films Voiceless, Mustapha & Oga Abuja. His ability for fusing Nollywood & Kannywood won him several awards and recognitions.
#kabafest22
#kabafest
TJ Benson (
@TJBenson_
) will be at Kabafest from 11th - 14th September on a panel to discuss "Developing The Arts In Nothern Nigeria"
Just few hours to KabaFest
BE THERE!!
#KabaFest
#KabaFest19
#KabaFestGuest
🔊GUEST ANNOUNCEMENT🔊
Abubakar Adam Ibrahim
@Abbakar_himself
is an award-winning Nigerian writer and journalist. He has published two critically acclaimed novels and two short story collections. His debut novel, Season of Crimson Blossoms, won the 2016 NLNG Nigeria Prize for