HCAF: A GATHERING STORM OF BRILLIANCE IN NIGERIAN LITERATURE

Recently, we published pieces on Zaynab Ilyasu Bobi for winning the inaugural Chukwuemeka Poetry Prize and Cave Canem Prize, and Abu Bakr Sadiq (26) for winning the Sillerman Prize, 2023 for first poetry book, both of whom got their winning books published, abroad. Last week, Hill-Top Creative Arts Foundation dominated the Abuja Literary Festival (ALITFEST) Grand Slam and the Lagos International Poetry Festival (LIPFEST) Grand Slam, plus an international win by Sumayyah M. Salisu.

Sumaiyah Muhammad Salisu won the $100 African Teen Writers Award in the prose category with her story titled, “Five Things Mother Did Not Prepare Me For.” Three days ago, she was announced as the winner in Kigali, Rwanda. 

Salisu, a student of the Islamic Academy Abuja, rose to fame at HIASFEST 2023 in Minna, clinching the second position for the Nigeria Prize for Teen Authors with her debut novella entitled: The Murder at School. Her second novella; Unbroken: A Healing Odyssey again catapulted her to stardom, clinching the 1st runner-up for the same prize and the most valuable contestant in the female category at HIASFEST 2024, respectively. Sumayyah is a Hill-Top Creative Arts Foundation, Abuja branch member, whose mentor, Mallam Kasim Ghabi, has been a force behind the little angel along with her parents. Before Sumayyah’s win, HCAF had huge wins at the Abuja Literary Festival Grand Slam (ALITFEST) and Lagos International Poetry Festival Grand Slam (LIPFEST) in Spoken Word. 

At the Abuja Slam, Abdulrazaq Salihu (20) of Minna HCAF came 2nd with a prize tag of N450,000. He is a 300L student of Biotechnology at Mewar International University, Abuja. Sa’ada Isah Yahaya (15) of HCAF Abuja came 3rd with a cash prize of N300k. She is an SS3 student of Jewel Academy, Abuja. This happened on 25th October 2024. 

As we were basking in the Euphoria of our wins,  Pacella Chukwuma Eke (19), another HCAF Abuja member who couldn’t go beyond the first round of the Abuja Slam a day before had picked her bag and headed to Lagos for the Lagos meet the following day. She was to join Sunday Saheed of the Lagos branch of HCAF for the LIPFEST slam. On 26th October 2024, Pacella pushed through the crowded Lagos Spoken Word artists to clinch 2nd position, picking N700k cash prize. She is a 200L student of Psychology at Chukwuemeka Odumegu Ojukwu State University, Uli, Anambra State. Sunday Saheed (20) of Lagos HCAF narrowly missed out on the medals table with 4th place. The 400L student of English at Lagos State University (LASU), is one of the leading lights of HCAF. 

Abdulrazaq, Sa’ada, Pacella, and Saheed are all versatile poets with books of their own, published by HIASFEST, and organised by the Hill-Top Creative Arts Foundation. Sumayyah’s books are being published by HIASFEST, as well.

These wins are not about the cash prizes. Never! The feats attained by these young stars demonstrate that young Nigerians could achieve great things with a little push and the right environment. This also suggests the need for more platforms where young Nigerian artists can access opportunities to attain excellence in their chosen fields. We, at Hill-Top Creative Arts Foundation, are proud of what our members are achieving across the country and beyond. We salute mentors like Blessing O. Omeiza, the patron of the Abuja branch for his untiring fatherly role to his teen artists. Mr. Terkule of Taraba HCAF is worth mentioning too. He doubles as the National Coordinator of HCAF branches, nationwide. The value of the wild camaraderie and family ties every member goes about is unprecedented. The joy of being together physically at literary grounds and in our WhatsApp group is delightfully touching. 

We call on established Nigerian writers and artists to support these young lads wherever they meet them. Send us links for opportunities to share with them, to grow their art.

Lastly, we appreciate Alh. Bala Abdullahi Kwatu whose HIASFEST has continued to fire up these artistic young brains. In this stead, is the Aliyu Trust Foundation for their co-sponsorship of HIASFEST. 

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