Minna Kiddies Book Hub successfully had its 1st Minna Kiddies Book Fair in Minna, the Niger State capital on 22nd December, 2025. The book fair will run till 10th January, 2026. This fair is recorded to be the first of its kind with an enormous artistic passion to inculcate reading culture in the minds of young children.
The opening ceremony witnessed tremendous accolades, appraisals for the Chief Executive Office (CEO), Mahmud Dzukogi for the initiative. The event had in attendance, eminent personalities such as:Dr. Mustapha Jibrin Alheri, Chairman, Chanchaga Local Government Area of Niger State; Representative of Hon. Mu’azu Hamidu Jantabo, Hon Commissioner, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs; Hajiya Hauwa Bako Kontagora, former Special Adviser to the Governor of Niger State on Social Investment Programmes; Prof. Muhammad Yaqubu Auna, Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Niger State; Prof. Musa Bawa; Hon. Sulaiman Isah, former Commissioner for Communications Technology and Digital Economy; Alh. Yaman Muhammad, Manager, Wema Bank, Minna; Dr. Mahmud Tanko of Niger State College of Education; Mallam Usman Shaba Yewa, Branch Manager, Lotus Bank PLC, Minna; Ms Aisha Wakaso, former Special Adviser to the Governor of Niger State on Print Media; National President, WOSA, Alh. Zubairu Ibrahim Tswachi; Representative of Dr. Ibrahim Mani; a leading African poet, Barr. Ahmed Maiwada; Alh. Baba Akote, Deputy Registrar, IBB University, Lapai; Principal, Himma International College, Mr. Femi;and a representative of National Library of Nigeria. Mahmud Dzukogi’s grandmother, Hajiya Baturiya was also present along with his mother, Malama Khadija Abdullahi Sakiwa.
The program series consisted of remarks by the Chairperson, Hajiya Hauwa Bako Kontagora, Opening Remarks by Mr Shekwoaga Makama, National Coordinator, HIASFEST, Founder, Minna Kiddies Book Hub Address by Mahmud Dzukogi, Declaration of the 1st Minna Kiddies Book Fair open by Hon. Dr. Mustapha Jibrin Alheri, Foundation laying ceremony by the representative of Hon. Muazu Hamidu Jantabo, official purchases, tour of stands and Closing Remarks by the founder, Hill-Top Creative Arts Foundation, BM Dzukogi.
The remarks centred around encouraging children to read while urging parents and individuals to support the Minna Kiddies Book Hub because books in the hands of children can transport the readers to different worlds and allow them to experience new things without ever leaving their spot and help boost imagination and creativity which are essential skills for growth and development.
The fair received purchase and donations of shelves of books, by Hon. Dr. Mustapha Alheri, full carton purchases by Hajiya Hauwa Bako, Bar Ahmed Maiwada, half and quarter purchases by Fmr. Commissioner, Sulaiman Isah, Hajiya Aisha, Dr. Mani, Jibrin Matane and many others.
This is a wake up call from the young, bright, promising artist, Mahmud Dzukogi (Founder, Minna Kiddies Book Hub) on the need to strengthen, support and redesign the mindset of the children through creative children books. In his words, “when you give a child money as a gift, they end up giving it back to their parents. But when you give them books as a gift, it stays with them.” Mahmud emphasized on the need for the positivity of parents to teach their kids the core value of art and imagination which can only be accessible if they have books to read.
One of the highlights was the foundation laying ceremony of the permanent site of the bookstore by Hon. Jantabo who commended the forsight of young Mahmud. He promised further support in the future.
This fun filled bookfair, opened immediately and is set to continue to 10th of January, 2026 for individual, premium and bulk purchases. Sponsorships and collaboration are welcome as we open from 10am and close by 4pm, daily. Minna Kiddies Book Fair is more than just a fair, it’s a powerful awakening, beyond the culture of reading books and promoting a safer, interactive sessions with children in the community.
SPEECH BY MAHMUD DZUKOGI, CEO OF MINNA KIDDIES BOOK HUB AT THE 1ST MINNA KIDDIES BOOK FAIR HELD AT THE HILL-TOP CREATIVE ARTS FOUNDATION, MINNA, ON 22ND DECEMBER, 2026.
Protocol
My dear parents, good morning and I welcome you to the first Minna Kiddies Book Fair.
Today’s event is not just only a peek into my entrepreneurial journey as a bookseller, but a beginning to a great history in the making. You have RovingHeights, Book O’clock and other bookstores across Nigeria. What makes mine unique is that it prioritizes children.
You have heard my dad say; ‘if you give money to children, such gift is for their parents. However, when you give books to children, you give them a gift, and by extension, you open them to endless possibilities because books offer limitless ideas. It is the surest way to kick-start the mind of a child towards great things.
Dear parents, your participation in the life of your children goes beyond just instructions and molding. You must seek new ways to develop critical minds in them. You must open their horizons to ideas and wisdom beyond their environment. Books are the space-crafts to reach this greater level of thoughts; the solid way to build the future.
As part of this event, there is going to be a workshop on the theme: Reading Activities for Development (READ). Every parent should register to be part of the event. It will be in the first week of January 2026.
Similarly, we are inaugurating the Minna Kiddies Book Club at the end of the fair. Parents should register theirchildren to join and explore great ideas in books. And again, there is going to be a foundation laying ceremony of the Bookstore, today. I also want to use this avenue to solicit for your financial support to actualize it. I thank Daddy Jantabo for accepting to lay the foundation.
It is also important to state that the book fair will be twice a year (December to January) and July to Augustevery year. Insha Allah). This is why I am calling on the State Government under the leadership of Farmer Governor Umar Bago and the Local Government Chairmen across the state to support this initiative by joining me. Please, patronize my bookstore. I will reach you all later. Insha Allah.
As you go round today, shuffle between the tables, gaze at the wonders sitting on the different tables, embrace their pages, and pick a copy, two or the entire books. Buy it as a gift during celebrations and visits. We can always restock while your children reap the benefits all through their lives.
Remember that readers do not always automatically become leaders. However, each time the world is looking for leaders, their choices will always tilt towards the readers, those who know things. Make your children one!
As I conclude, this fair is only the first. More will come and I am excited and optimistic that this fair will have lasting impacts in the minds of everyone.
Thank you for listening, and happy purchase of books.
Mahmud Dzukogi
CEO, Minna Kiddies Book Hub
09164031580
