In honour of those whose unwavering efforts continue to influence and elevate the literary and artistic landscape of Nigeria, the Hill-Top Creative Arts Foundation is pleased to present the winners of the annual HIASFEST Golden Awards for Art Administrators in Nigeria. The two outstanding art administrators this year, Adamu Idris Manarakis and Blessing Omeiza Ojo, have made a lasting impact on their respective fields of influence with their contributions. The Golden Award honours their innovative efforts to promote literature, art, and language throughout Nigeria and is sponsored by Rtd. General Abba Dikko, who has kindly funded this award for three years running.
Adamu Idris Manarakis:
Tashiru Nupe, whose true identity is Adamu Idris Manarakis, is a steadfast advocate for indigenous languages, especially the Nupe language. He is the creator and director of the Indigenous Languages Learning Centre (ILLEC) in Minna, Niger State, where he has led ground-breaking efforts to protect and advance linguistic variety. His path started in 2016 when the first Nupe Language School was founded, eventually becoming into the premier Language Institute in Niger State. Manarakis is an ardent supporter and author of books like Nupe Mathematics, which combines traditional language and numeracy, and Nupe Biology, which he co-authored. He ensures that the Nupe language flourishes throughout various media by serving as a motivational speaker, radio host, and translator in addition to being a writer.
His ingenious mentoring stimulated a new generation of Nupe writers for more than five years, establishing him as a pivotal player in Nigeria’s literary landscape. At Nasarawa State University in Keffi, Manarakis is currently working towards a master’s degree in linguistics. He is steadfast in his commitment to preserving and advancing indigenous languages.
Blessing Omeiza Ojo:
One of Nigeria’s most renowned mentors for teen writers and up-and-coming spoken-word performers is Blessing Omeiza Ojo, a renowned creative writing instructor and editor. His role as the Hill-Top Creative Arts Foundation’s coordinator in Abuja goes well beyond mentoring. Young authors and performers have gained national and worldwide recognition thanks to Omeiza’s efforts. Ojo has received multiple teaching honours, including the 2021 Words Rhymes & Rhythm Nigerian Teacher’s Award, the HIASFEST Best Teacher Awards of 2022 and 2023, the 9th Korea-Nigeria Poetry Prize (Ambassador Special Prize), and Best of the Net nominations. Among other venues, his writings have appeared on Split Lip, Ice Floe, Olney, and The Deadlands.
His mentees have published their works in respectable magazines and have experienced notable success at literary festivals such as HIASFEST and ALITFEST under his tutelage. Ojo’s legacy as a trailblazing figure in Nigerian literature and the arts is cemented by his commitment to developing future talent.
An annual event for enthusiasts of literature and the arts, the Hadiza Ibrahim Aliyu Schools Festival (HIASFEST) is incomplete without the HIASFEST Golden Awards. It is anticipated that the 2025 edition would be a remarkable festival of creativity and cultural heritage, taking place at the Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi International Conference Centre in Minna from January 15 to 18. The prizes, which were kindly sponsored by Rtd. General Abba Dikko, are an attestation to his steadfast dedication to advancing literature and the arts in Nigeria. Through his sponsorship, worthy people like Manarakis and Ojo have been given the credit they deserve for their priceless contributions over the last three years.
As HIASFEST 2025 approaches, we are excited to honour these luminaries and their unwavering commitment to promoting literature, art, and language in Nigeria. Their efforts pave the way for a future in which creativity flourishes, enhancing lives and conserving cultural legacy for future generations.
