Nigeria holds first Arabic poetry festival in Kano

Arabic poets from different parts of the country on Saturday converged in Kano for their first Nigeria Arabic Poetry Festival

The event, which was an exhibition of young Arabic poetic talent was organised by The Charitable Foundation for Teaching and Spreading of Arabic in Nigeria, brought participants from different states of the country.

• NIGERIA DAILY: Have Nigerians Really Enjoyed The Dividends Of Democracy?
• Coca-Cola invests N436bn in Nigeria in 10 years

According to the event Coordinator and chairman of the foundation, Dr Umar Adam Muhammmad, the exhibition is aimed at improving Arabic literature, especially Poetry, thereby bringing out the talent in the participants so they can compete with their peers globally.

He said, “This is one of our efforts in bringing out our talented Arabic poets, because we have many of them here. Nigerians have been competing globally in Arabic competitions.

“Even last year, a Nigerian from Kano became overall best Arabic poet in the world. So, our target is to bring more of him into limelight. There are 10 participants here, though it is mere exhibition and not a competition, but it will motivate them to put more effort,” he explained.

On his part, the Chairman of the occasion, Muhammad Rabi’u Sa’ad, a Professor of Arabic and Chairman, International Association of Departments Arabic, said the event is expected to continue from the exhibition

“With this now, Nigeria has joined a league of nations organising Arabic poetry exhibition. Those that form part of the festival include Arabic poets, Arabic teaching institutes, departments of Arabic and their associations and Nigerian studying Arabic in other countries from Nigeria,” he added.

Highlights of the event include presentation of Arabic poems and cash prizes presentation to them.