The current trend of literary and book art festivals in Nigeria, in the last 15yrs, could be traced to Minna, Niger State, who started her literary and arts festival in May 1995. It was an initiative of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Niger State, during the administration of Abdullahi/Dzukogi.
Abdullahi Ismaila Ahmed was the Chairman while Dzukogi was the Secretary. However, BM Dzukogi was the draughtsman of the Festival which was tagged Schools Literary Expo in 1995. Baba Akote, who was the Treasurer on the Exco gave it the name. By the following year it became Annual Schools Carnival of Arts, a suggestion by Abdullahi Ismaila Ahmed. By 1997, Saidu B. Musa suggested the addition of “And Festival of Songs” thus it became: Annual Schools Carnival of Arts and Festival of Songs (ASCAFS). Other members of the Exco were; Ibrahim Daniel who served as the Vice Chairman for 1yr and vacated the position to Baba Akote while Saidu B. Musa became the Treasurer. Lucky S. Oghvuwu was the Assistant Secretary.
ASCAFS ran for 22yrs before folding up. It was a programme that gave Minna its literary profile and prestige, today. It was the talk of town in ANA branches across the country. It also became the foundation for Minna becoming the highest producer of teen authors in Nigeria. ASCAFS was a comprehensive package involving creative writing, painting, drama, songs, cultural display, craft and even poem interpretation. It attracted many writers and artists from around the country.
