The Lagos branch of the Hill-Top Creative Arts Foundation has won the 2024 Best Performing Branches Award of the foundation. The branch, which is led by Mahmoodah Oyeleye, a 1st Class graduate of Economics from Lagos State University and the author of Faded Blues, has been the pioneer chairperson of the branch since 2021.
According to the vetting committee, the Lagos branch has shown a tremendous sense of organisation, duty, formidability, and efficient use of social media platforms to effectively advance the goals and objectives of HCAF, as well as hone the art of members. The committee also notes the consistency in activities and the spirit of camaraderie within and outside the branch.
In value addition, the spirit of volunteerism at the National Headquarters that pervades the Lagos branch enhances the quest for a greater HCAF. Their member is the current Editor-in-Chief of the Nigeria Review (TNR) and boasts of about three others on the editorial team, including a graphic designer for HCAF. The overflowing enthusiasm of Victoria Ilemobayo, the Games Manager of the Lagos branch, who recently concluded her Residency Programme at MAAR to mentor teenagers at the National Headquarters, added to the realisation of the exchange programs of HCAF among young Nigerian artists. She was a light that pervaded the atmosphere of the headquarters during her stay. In fact, Lagos is one of the most accommodating branches that admits members from other states into her WhatsApp group.
Lagos Chairperson
These qualities, along with other literary productive outputs, make the Lagos branch of the HCAF the 2024 winner of the Most Performing Branches Award. They will receive the sum of N150,000 and a plaque at the finals of HIASFEST 2025 at the Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi International Conference Centre, Minna, Niger State. HIASFEST comes up from 15th-18th January 2025.
Taraba Chairperson
The 1st runner-up is the Taraba branch with her monthly mentoring session, which is the most fundamental activity of HCAF even if nothing happens in the outgoing year. Taraba has the most promising teen artists after Minna. They have also created HCAF cells in secondary schools in Taraba. The National Headquarters is proud of Yahuza Usman from Taraba as an excellent teenage star who equates to any other from other branches across the country. Taraba branch’s resilience to continue to whether the storm of art administration is highly commendable. They get N100,000 cash for their win.
Abuja Chairperson
HCAF Abuja takes the 2nd runner-up with a cash prize of N50,000. HCAF’s branch in Abuja is home to the future of Nigerian poetry slam, with Pacella Chukwuma-Eke and Sa’ada Isah Yahaya leading the way.
