ANA NIGER HOSTS 16TH EDITION OF ASCAFS

Minna, the Niger State capital may not be the literary capital of Nigeria, as some members of that chapter of the Association of Nigerian Authors has laid claim to over the years, but it has done enough to be recognized as the literary capital of the north. In addition, ANA Niger obviously remained the most organized and consistent of all the 31 chapters of the association across the nation.

The 16^th edition of the annual schools carnival of arts and festival of songs organized under the auspices of the Niger State chapter of Association was recently held. In the last 15 years, apart from the annual national convention of the association organized by the national body in conjunction with the host chapter, ANA Niger’s ASCAFS remains the only consistent chapter activities.

There is more to ANA Niger

Chairman of the chapter, Alhaji Baba Akote enumerates the achievements of the carnival over the last half a decade “there is no doubt that this jamboree, like blood is in the veins of ANA Niger such that wherever it goes, it earns a mention. We are proud of this special event that many of its products are today proud authors, administrators and politicians” he narrated excitedly, adding that the popularity of ASCAFS is not limited to Niger state and Nigeria alone.  “In recognition of ASCAFS, Professor Henry Rowels of the Department of English, University of Virginia had attended the event as the Guest of Honour in its fourth edition in 1998. Similarly the Foundation Valpairaso in Spain had also invited one of our members and a product of ASCAFS, in person of Alkasim Abdulkadir to a three weeks residency programme in 2004.” He concluded.

What the Guests Said

Former national President of ANA, Mallam Abubakar Gimba, the Chief Host and Chairman of ASCAFS admonishes the students to learn to respect their teachers and see them as their source of inspiration for wisdom and success. “I don’t count the number of years; I just look forward to the next edition. It is absolutely satisfying. I love to see students who are committed to their education and future. However, my message to remain the same, read to improve yourself. You don’t all have to be writers but you can all become great only by reading because it is from it you get wisdom.”

Immediate past National President, Honourable Dr. Wale Okediran, speaking on-behalf of his successor, Dr. Jerry Agada who was ‘unavoidably absent’ at the Minna event, commended the chapter’s ingenuity “ANA Niger is a trail blazer. The only chapter that has a bus, series of anthologies, a writers’ village and this laudable project, to their credit. The anxiety is always how to continue but I can see you have not only conquered that by sustaining this programme for sixteen years, you also constantly has the support of the government” he commented. “It is rare to see government officials coming to grace an occasion like this. What this simply shows is the government of Niger state’s vision for the children of the state” he added.

Marveled by the brilliance displayed by the students and their innovative ingenuity in the crafts category of the annual carnival, Honourable Ahmed Musa Ibito, the Deputy Chief servant of the state commended the chapter for making the state proud and investing in the future of the children of the state. “We are aware of the objectives of what you are doing, that is why we have always supported you because, just as we cannot do it all alone, you cannot also do it alone but together, we can do it. What I have seen here today, the cleaning robot by and winnowing machine by GSS Minna and other craft works are absolutely mind-blowing. We must take advantage of the Ministry of Youth Development and Strategies.” He admonished.

GSS Minna Wins Again

For the umpteenth time, Government Secondary School, Minna emerges the overall winner of the sixteenth edition of ASCAFS after some brilliant performances in the painting (3^rd), cultural display (2^nd), Songs (2^nd), Short Story (1^st), Quiz (1^st), Crafts (1^st), Photography (1^st) and Drama (1^st). This also includes winning for the Best Female Teacher award. Of the 16^th edition of the annual carnival, GSS Minna had won a record ten. According to Promise Nwariri who won the photography category for the capital school. “ASCAFS is our birthright, if I am allowed to say that. GSS Minna is a very unique school. We have everything we require to excel. We are not happy not to have won the first prize in the last two editions but now we are back and back for good.  We are a worthy champion.” She responded excitedly.

The other winners are Hill Top Model School, Minna as the first runner-up (2^nd position) and Army day Secondary School, Minna as second runners-up (3^rd position).

The Protest

What could have passed for a peaceful, informative and entertaining event was blemished by an unnecessary protest by the Army Day Secondary School who felt cheated by the organizers of the event and chanted protest songs. John Kaga who had earlier won the Best Actor award in the Drama category in which the Army school came second, led the protest hauling insults on the organizers and the guests. “If this is the way you guys want to do this programme, we are going to boycott it. Give us what we deserved. Why should GSS Minna win every time.” He complained, and then led a ‘We No Go Gree O, We No Go Gree’ protest song.