Alh. Bala Abdullahi Kwatu is the initiator of Hadiza Ibrahim Aliyu Schools Festival (HIASFEST), the largest teen arts festival in Africa. Annually, HIASFEST gathers thousands of teen artists from across Nigeria to Niger State to celebrate creativity and excellence. His partnership with Hill-Top Creative Arts Foundation (HCAF) has escalated her developmental art engagement as one of the most important art organisations in Nigeria that is corporate and identifiable with tangible results. Bala Kwatu’s idea to have this Festival has come to form a medium for the production of not just the next generation of Nigerian writers but artists, inventors and thinkers. Every year, he publishes the wining books of the Nigeria Prize for Teen Authors categories (6 books), which are delivered freely to the authors from different states in Nigeria. One man, pumping six quality books into the Nigerian book environment annually, is a remarkable feat unmatched. This dogged social entrepreneur, selfless business man, father of the Nigerian child, unencumbered friendly community man, and developer of art, is a fitting Nationalist who was awarded the HCAF Patrons Award, and for exemplifying the truism that one man can change the world.
Alh. Bala Abdullahi Kwatu
This is simply great.It is worthy to mention that Niger State stands tall among States in Nigeria, not just the north as far as literary activities are concerned.
I have been lucky to being around during the formative years all events mentioned as a literature teacher in some secondary schools mostly the far north of the state.
Now though retired but still striving to be involved in all activities with literary undertones.
It’s my pleasure to be here.