Retelling the Confluence State story at the maiden Kogi Arts and Literary Festival 2025
By Isa Abdulsamad
KOGI Arts and Literary Festival (KALFest), which held in the capital city of Kogi State from May 9 – 10, 2025 at the Federal University, Lokoja, Adankolo Campus Auditorium, Lokoja, turned out a visionary platform that gave a voice to those who had largely been unheard, as it spotlighted creativity and empowered young creative. It also helped in reviving the culture of reading, and inspired a new generation of artists and thinkers to change the narrative of the Confluence State to a positive one. It had ‘The Confluence Canvas: Painting Kogi’s Story through Arts and Literature’ as theme. The two-day festival was attended by over 250 participants which organisers said was a big win for a first outing and a sign that the thirst for such cultural offering was huge in the state.
On the first day, the event drew notable dignitaries and personalities from across state from various walks of life, and who had become household names in the literary, creative and academic sectors. They included former General Manager of the National Theatre, Lagos, Professor Sunday Ododo, former federal director of culture Mallam Denja Abdullahi, Salamatu Sule, Hon. Nanahawa, Honourable Ismail Isah, Professor Abel Joseph, Dr. Muhammad Ali, Dr. Abba Abba, Maymuna Kadiri, Abdulhakeem Abdulsalam Adeiza (Triple A), and many others. Professor Ododo delivered the keynote address on the festival theme, emphasising the transformative power of art and literature in shaping Kogi State’s narrative and elevating it to global relevance.
While receiving her guests festival founder, Muyibat Avosuahi Yusuf detailed the journey behind KALFest’s creation, followed by a vibrant cultural display from the Federal University Lokoja Secondary School students, who showcased Igbo, Igala, and Yoruba cultural performances. The Senior Special Assistant to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and representative of the Commissioner for Education, Hon. Nanahawa gave a goodwill message in which she highlighted the value of KALFest to youth development and expressed the ministry’s full support. The Special Assistant on Media to the Governor Ododo, Hon. Ismail Isah, echoed the same sentiment, assuring the festival team of the state government’s backing.
A stimulating panel discussion followed, featuring the former President of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) Mallam Abdullahi and a senior lecturer at the Federal University, Lokoja Dr. Abba, and moderated by the writer and book reviewer, Sule. The session explored the topic ‘Echoes of the Ancestors: Unearthing Kogi’s Indigenous Narratives’ with the panelists offering deep insights into the state’s rich heritage in literature and culture. This panel dwelled on the works of notable writers from Kogi State such as Professor Olu Obafemi, Emmy Idegu, Idris Okpanachi, Ododo, Aderemi Bamikunle, Mallam Abdullahi and Dr. Onukaba Adinoyi-Ojo, and many others who have put the state on the literary and cultural world map through their creative and academic works.
Dr. Muhammed Ali (left); Mallam Denja Abdullahi and Salamatu Sule posing with performers of the play
Also featuring on day-one was a compelling poetry performance titled ‘Kwararafa’ by Oko Owi Ocho Africa, which left the audience in awe. Other younger creative talents who performed and other declamations on the first day were Abdulfatai Daninat, Bonny Princess Owuya, Audu Favour Omeiza, Ibrahim Elizabeth, Olushaba Miracle, Ekundayo Temiloluwa, Abubakar Khadijat, Ogbonnaya Divine Favor and Fagbemi Oluwaferanmi Priscilla.
A second panel discussion soon followed, featuring Sule and Dr. Muhammad Ali, and moderated by Mallam Abdullahi. It was on ‘The Canvas Speaks: Artists as Storytellers of Kogi’s Journey’, and enlightened and provoked thoughts, with the moderator challenging the panelists to offer their best insights on how contemporary storytellers of all forms can tell a better, fuller and richer story about the state.
The day came to a close with a drama performance by the Department of English and Literary Studies, Federal University, Lokoja, under the direction of Dr. Abba. It was an adaptation from Mallam Abdullahi’s award–winning and most performed Nigerian play in the last five years Death and the King’s Grey Hair. It was brilliantly executed, with the playwright himself praising the performers, confessing that it was the best staging of the play he had ever witnessed. Co-founder of KALFest Isah Abdulssamad delivered the closing remarks on the first day, with MC Cabman wrapping activities for the day and a warm invitation to return for Day Two.
The second day began with Abdulssamad welcoming guests and officially opening the day’s events. Not to be outdone, Yusuf performed a powerful spoken word piece on molestation, which moved the audience deeply. This was followed by Abdulssamad’s poem ‘I Am Not an Activist,’ a poignant reflection on injustice in Nigeria.
A two-hour panel discussion followed, moderated by Maymuna Kadiri on the topics ‘In the Ink of Today: Contemporary Voices and the Literary Renaissance—Beyond Borders, Innovation, Youth, and the Future of Cultural Expression.’ Panelists Professor Abel Joseph, Dr. Muhammad Ali and Sule shared insights and engaged the audience with wisdom and clarity. Following the panel, artists including Awareness, Ogba Favor, AbdulAzeez Hadiza and Ekundayo Temiloluwa delivered mesmerizing performances in poetry and music, leaving the audience emotionally stirred and inspired.
The much-anticipated Poetry Slam was the main highlight of the second day, and featured seven contestants with some of them coming from far-flung places like Jos and Kaduna to participate in the contest. With Prof. Joseph as Chief Judge, alongside Dr. Ali and Kadiri as members, the slam spanned three competitive rounds, each with a 5-minute limit. After each round, performances and poetry readings filled the space as scores were tallied. Eliminations followed each stage until the final three emerged: Faisal Ahmed Smith from Jos (winner), Idris Ummi Ometere (1st runner-up), and Michael Ovayoza Joy (2nd runner-up). They received cash prizes of ₦70,000, ₦50,000, and ₦30,000 respectively. Sule and Oko Owi Ocho Africa gave encore spoken word and freestyle performances that kept the energy alive.
Yusuf then brought the festival to closed with a heartfelt note of appreciation to sponsors, partners, and team members, reaffirming that KALFest had come to stay. She called on the state government, individuals, and organizations to support the festival to ensure its continuity in future.
Without doubt, the Confluence City of Lokoja witnessed an arts and literary festival that showcased the multiplicity of artistic voices of Kogi State with a huge manifestation of the power of creative storytelling in changing narratives for the better in a state brimming with histories, monuments, iconic geographical watersheds, diversity and economic potential of national significance.
Performance scene from Mallam Denja Abdullahi’s play Death and the king’s Grey Hair at Kogi Arts and Literary Festival 2025… in Lokoja
Abdulsamad is Co-founder of Kogi Arts and Literary Festival (KALFest)
