My phone beeped to announce a new email. It was from Zainab Dzukogi, the director of the Muktar Aliyu Art Residency, Minna. I hesitated. It has been around a week since I sent my application. What if the email was informing me that I hadn’t been selected? But as a writer, I was already used to receiving rejections and braced myself for a possible one. When I opened the email, the first word I read was ‘attached’. I knew what it meant; rejection letters don’t come with attachments. I muffled a scream. I read the email several times, reliving the joy of being accepted into a residency. It was exhausting. Almost immediately, I began to make a mental note of what I’d need for the three weeks I would spend in Minna. I was so excited.
I went to the Katsina State Transport Authority, KSTA Motor Park, around 8 am on Thursday, 31st October 2024. Unfortunately, I was late and missed the only car that went to Minna from Katsina. After failing to find another car there, I went to NARTO Park, where I boarded a bus heading to Minna. We took off around 11 am. I grew anxious as we moved but drove the negative thoughts out of my mind as soon as they came. ‘If the Lord wills, I will arrive Minna in good health of mind and body’ was the mantra I kept reciting. Shortly after we left Katsina, the car slowed down until it screeched to a stop. I literally perked up my ears. By now, we were in Charanchi. A mechanic arrived and worked on the bus, sliding underneath the iron carriage. No sooner did we take off than we stopped again. Everyone was becoming restive. I checked my time and realised it was almost 3 pm. We hadn’t left Katsina State yet. After bickering for what seemed like an infinity on the phone, the driver announced that another car was on the way. By the time we were moving again, the early signs of twilight were already lining the sky, and I knew I did not want to continue on the road to Minna that day. So, when we got to Zaria, I slept over at a friend’s to continue the journey the next day.
On the next day, Friday, I took a car to Kaduna and then another to Abuja. I dropped at Dikko junction and boarded another car to Minna. It was when the car began to move that I became at ease. I was finally reaching Minna. I arrived late, around 10:30 pm, and had missed the opening ceremony. I called the director, Mrs. Zainab Dzukogi, and she sent a car to pick me up. Once at the residence, I was warmly received by my co-resident, Ojo Victoria Ilemobayo. She showed me around the apartment and explained a few things. Later, in bed, I found a note she had kept for me under my pillow. I could call her Bayo.
I woke up early the next morning, unable to sleep well the previous night due to the instinctive discomfort of being in a new place. However, I felt strong and ready to mentor the teen and preteen writers who came to the centre on Saturdays. I met Baba BM Dzukogi for the first time in person and apologised profusely for my poor communication while I was still on the road. He was appeased.
Teaching gave me joy, and I was soon engulfed by the mentorship class. I taught them fiction writing, and we discussed characterisation and setting. I was thrilled to find out that they were all actively writing, especially seven-year-old Khadijah, who dazzled everyone with her philosophical approach. I met her mother, Mrs Adshatu Usman, after the class and commended her support for her children’s creativity. I looked forward to the classes every Saturday. Teaching poetry the following week was like a revelation for me. I realised they were teaching me too and helping me become better in the process.
I met Happiness from Plateau State and Sooluchi from Enugu State, Corp members serving at the Hilltop Creative Arts Foundation. I joined Bayo in calling them neighbours.
I enjoyed going through the books in the library. It felt like heaven on Earth. All those books were free and available whenever I needed them. I’d sit in the middle of the library, doing nothing in particular, relishing the beauty of being surrounded by books. My joy was overwhelming.
One of my favourite memories from the residency was going restaurant hunting with Bayo. We’d compare tastes and prices and try new ones until we found Food Palace. It was indeed a palace.
Bayo is a photographer and digital artist, and I modelled for her a few times. Although I would rather be behind rather than in front of the camera, it was fun doing it together. I am a trained photographer and haven’t explored the field much. But within a week of staying with Bayo, I have been inspired to explore telling stories through pictures.
Bayo also put us on a video call with the pioneer fellows, Emerald and Yahuza.
Baba BM Dzukogi took us—Bayo, Happiness, Nazir, Aliyu, Sooluchi, Emmanuel, and I—on a tour of Minna City a day before the closing ceremony. We visited the Central Mosque Minna, the UK Bello Arts Theatre, the palace of the Emir of Minna, and Abubakar Imam Airport, renamed Bola Ahmed Tinubu Airport.
The next day, 21st November, we visited Mrs. Aishatu Wakaso, sponsor of the Wakaso Poetry Prize. Her advice to us still rings in my heart. And the brown envelope still makes me smile. Later, at the closing ceremony, Bayo and I read our travelogues to an audience. We also received gifts from Mrs. Adshatu Usman and played games.
Muktar Aliyu Art Residency provided the time and space I needed to work on a collection of short stories, connected by poems and centred around the same theme, explored from different angles. It was a timely opportunity, and I am sincerely grateful to the founder of Timeout For Africa who sponsored the event, Baba BM Dzukogi, who continues to work tirelessly to raise a new generation of creatives, and for those free books complete with autographs, and Mr. Makama Shekwoaga, who dedicates time, talent, and treasure to support young creatives. God bless you.
To Aliyu Umar, secretary of HCAF Minna, who checks on us to make sure we are comfortable even when he is writing examinations. We’re grateful for your service. To Nazir Suleiman, for those hilarious arguments. You’ll make a fine lawyer. To Emmanuel, Abel, and Baba security, you made our residency unforgettable.
To Happiness, beautiful model and artist, maker of delicious kuli kuli, second only to my grandmother’s. For the hot water every morning. And to Sooluchi, elegant and formidable businesswoman, thanks for taking me to church.
And to Bayo, who is literally everywhere in my MAAR story, I don’t know what this residency would’ve been without you.
Minna was a beautiful experience, well worth my eventful journey.
