COMPETITIONS ORGANIZED BY INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES LEARNING CENTRE (ILLEC)
1. Nupe Literature Prize (NLP)
2. Nupe Radio Quiz for Secondary Schools (NuQSeS)
3. Nupe Language Festival for secondary Schools (NULFES).
NUPE LITERATURE PRIZE (NPL)
Nupe Literature Prize is an annual competition that is organized by ILLEC. It started in 2019. The aim of the competition is to know how well one can write in Nupe Language and most importantly to have more books written in the Language.
The first edition in 2019 was sponsored by Dr. Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar CFR, the Etsu Nupe. The second edition in 2021 was sponsored by Dr. (Mrs) Aishatu Mohammed Ndayako, while the third edition in 2022, was sponsored by Alh. Ismaila Usman Sarki (Sarkin Arewan Nupe). They are all from Bida . The fourth edition is forthcoming. ILLEC anticipate more sponsors from across Nigeria.
Aisha Hussaina Idris Manarakis is the first to win this competition with her book titled Ewo na Soko kin na in 2019. Hajiya Bilikisu Musa Bida won in 2021 with the book titled Ekpyada, followed by Zainab Abdullahi’s book titled Eza e kpetso Soko nikin nyi a in 2022. All these books depict Nupe culture and tradition. The books have Nupe settings and also teaches about Nupe cultural heritage.
The 2023 edition, ILLEC has changed from stories that was used for three years to poems. The entrants are required to submit not less than a 100 Nupe poems in a single book or manuscript. The winners are announced on ILLEC Anniversary Day Celebration which comes up on November 19th of every year.
By introducing this competition, individuals look forward to participating in order to win and also have a book to their name. This competition, among others, have contributed to the written text in Nupe Language, in the last decade.
NUPE RADIO QUIZ FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS
Nupe Radio Quiz for Secondary Schools is a quiz competition that is held among secondary schools in Nigeria. It is divided into two categories; junior and senior secondary. Its objectives is to promote Nupe language, usage and written text.
The quiz competition comprises history, spelling, general knowledge and mathematics. It has two sections; in the first section, the first to answer correctly within the time frame wins. While In the second section, one has only two attempt to answer correctly.
The first edition held on 20/10/2018 was won by Mawo Schools, Minna. ILLEC is calling on individuals, Governments and organisations to comeforth to sponsor the second edition.
The 1st Nupe Quiz by Radio held on Prestige FM Radio, Minna, and it was sponsored by the Executive Director of the station; Alhaji Mahmud Abdullahi, the former CPS to the Late Engr. A.A Kure, the former Governor of Niger State. Students from six schools participated in the event. The schools are:
1. Mawo School, Minna – 90
2. Hilltop Model School, Minna – 75
3. Government Girls Day Science School, Minna – 70
4. Government Day Secondary School, Minna – 65
5. Mypa College, Minna – 50
6. Bosso Secondary School, Minna – 50.
NUPE LANGUAGE FESTIVAL FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN NIGERIA
Nupe Language Festival for Secondary Schools in Nigeria (NULFES) was first held in September 2021. Out of the schools invited, 15 attended the competition. The programme was sponsored by Alhaji Muhammad Abdulrahman JG Chata. This competition later led to the approval of Nupe Language as a subject of study in Police Secondary School, Minna and Unity International School, Bida.
The Festival comprises of drama, spelling, newscasting, song and cultural dance. Individuals were amused by the enthusiasm of a boy from Gidan kuka who was the only one who represented his school. The festival was graced by the presence of Etsu Edzo Nupe, Prince Ahmed Chado, Jibrin Bala Jibrin, Hadiza Patigi, and other prominent Nupe actors and traditional title holders.
At the end of the competition, Limawa Model School, Minna came first; followed by Diamond Global Academy, Minna; and Day Secondary School, Gidan Kuka took the third position. Since then, the competition hasn’t being held due to lack of sponsors. ILLEC hope that the competition will return soon when sponsors comeforth.
THE TOTAL AMOUNT REQUIRED FOR THESE THREE COMPETITIONS IS N4.3M, ANNUALLY.