By Emmanuel Umeji
The inaugural Annual Dzukogi Spoken Word Contest became an enormous success, organised by the Nigerlites Spoken Word Artists (NiSWA), a group of vibrant and creative people in Niger State. The Hill-Top Creative Arts Foundation generously sponsored this monumental event, providing a platform to elevate the voices of secondary school students around the state and acting as a breeding ground for emerging talent. Fittingly, the competition’s underlying topic was “Our Voices to the Governor.”
For two rigorous days, on March 1st and 2, 2024, a wide range of competitors from different schools in Niger State demonstrated their skills. The judges, Fatima Salihu, Zaynab Barje, and Khadija Musa, carefully reviewed each entry in the elimination round before selecting an impressive shortlist of twenty-nine contestants to move on to the next round. Each contestant had a brief window of three minutes during the main event to wow the audience with their spoken word skills. The performances left a lasting effect on the audience with their brilliant fusion of passion, eloquence, and convincing gestures.
The adjudicating panel, consisting of three seasoned individuals, Barrister Halima Katun ESQ, Fatima Salihu, and Amra Aliyu, was reorganised on the second day of the competition. Their astute assessment eventually produced the final shortlist of five candidates, all displaying extraordinary spoken word skills.
The crowning moment of the competition was the announcement of three champions who gave performances of unmatched brilliance. With their duets from Baiwa International School, Faith Ojonugwa and Amina M. Abbas won the gold award and a much-desired cash reward. The silver award went to Diamond Global Academy solo performer Farida Musa Onda, and the bronze went to Raheema Auwal Panti, also from Diamond Global Academy.
Among the distinguished guests that graced the occasion were Makama Shekwo’aga, Mrs. Adishetu Usman Adama, and Alhaji Aliyu Abubakar, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Niger State. A formal award presentation took place to honour these distinguished guests, and certificates were given to the judges, participating schools, and representatives of the sponsoring body (NiSWA).
Resoundingly successful, the Annual Dzukogi Spoken Word Competition cemented its reputation as a powerful forum for artistic and literary expression in Minna—a city known for its rapidly developing literary and cultural scene. Thanks to the great partnership between NiSWA and the Hill-Top Creative Arts Foundation and the passionate participation of students and schools, the competition has become a prestigious yearly event in Niger State.
