‘Writers will continue to matter irrespective of harsh socioeconomic conditions in which they operate’
By Paul Liam
THE 2025 edition of Benue Book and Arts Festival (BBAAF) was held in Makurdi, the Benue State capital. Organized by SEVHAGE Publishers and SEVHAGE Literary and Development Initiative, the festival made its debut in 2019 and has been held consecutively for six years. This year the festival was held across three cities and two continents, including Nottingham, England, Makurdi, and Abuja. It was organized with Nottingham City Libraries, Nottingham City of Literature, Goethe Institute, and the Journal of African Literature, among other partners. Festival theme was ‘Home and Away.’
According to the festival director and founder, Su’eddie Vershima Agema, the festival “celebrates the rich culture of Africa’s diaspora and Nigeria’s Middle Belt, promoting local creativity and social impact across continents in a continuous cultural dialogue.” Since its inception, the festival has featured distinguished literary personalities and scholars including Ahmed Maiwada, Chuma Nwokolo, Professors Dul Johnson, Moses Tsenongu, Maria Ajima, Abimbola Shittu, Leticia Nyitse, James Tar Tsaaior, Chiedu Ezeanah, Denja Abdullahi, Bash Amuneni, Salamatu Sule, T.J Benson, Namse Peter Udosen, Bizuum Yadok, Michael Isangedighi Imossan, Carl Terver, Oko Owi Ocho Afrika and a host of notable and emerging writers and artists.
The Makurdi edition of the festival, held from February 20 – 22, 2025, featured an array of activities, including a keynote address, panel discussions, cultural dance performances, and a spoken word slam competition. The a professor of performance, former minister, Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Mexico and Canada, Iyorwuese Hagher, delivered the keynote on ‘Book and Arts as Weapons of Mass Instruction for Liberation.’ He said that writers are change-agents and must continue to advocate for the betterment of society through art and engagement with the social structures that inhibit the development of society. He emphasized the imperative of writers to society, noting that writers must continue to speak truth to power and document the social realities of the environment for the benefit of future generations. He further stated that writers matter and will continue to matter irrespective of the harsh socioeconomic conditions in which they operate. He urged writers to continue telling their stories.
Former President, Association of Nigerian Authors’ (ANA), Mallam Denja Abdullahi (left); festival director Su’eddie Vershima Agema; Paul Liam and Salamatu Sule at Benue Book and Arts Festival 2025
Prof. Hagher acknowledged Makurdi’s rise as a hub for book production, when he noted, “Makurdi has become a beacon of the fight against ignorance,” and further enthused, “You are the biggest change-agents that we have, and if you think there are other people, I can assure you there are none. Ideas matter, and it is ideas that change the world. It is ideas that determine reality, and ideas create words, words influence people, they change behaviour, they change our character, they mould us into actions.”
He also spoke on various issues of development, including the farmers-herders’ crises and conflict in the middle belt. He enjoined writers to remain committed to writing stories that shape the consciousness of the society towards the ideals of an egalitarian society.
Some of the panel discussion and performances featured at the festival included the keynote panel titled ‘Home and A-way: A Conversation Across Generations” that featured Prof. Dul Johnson, Sanusi Anselm Sanusi and Nana Sule, ‘Home and A-way: Mentorship’ that also featured Dr. Shachia Oryila, Sa’ada Yahaya, Namse Patrick Udosen and Blessing Ojo, and ‘The Benue Panel’ that featured Tine Agernor, Idu Banke, and Barrister Onwanyi Ulegede. Other sessions included ‘Criticism, Editing and the Development of Literature at Home & A-Way’ which featured Paul Liam, Denja Abdullahi, Salamatu Sule and Emeka Ukwuaba.
Also, the panel ‘Finding Poetry: Home and A-Way’ featured Sandra Hitarh, Jakky Obi-Bankong, and Michael Imossan, just as the panel on ‘The Art of the Heart: A Panel Discussion’ featured Mimi Terver-Bossua, Sandra Hitarh, and Nana Sule. The ace actor and culture promoter, Hussain Zaguru thrilled guests with his signature AfroDervish performance, as did the Takuruku Creative Troupe’s scintillating Tiv cultural performances, which enthralled the guests throughout the festival.
The festival’s poetry slam competition, which was keenly contested, had Baaji Aondoakura as winner. Other winners of literary prizes organized by SEVHAGE were also presented at the festival. The 2025 edition of BBAAF was a celebration of literature and cultural expression. It was a successful edition despite the noticeable organizational challenges observed by guests. There is a need for the organisers to put in place formidable structures to ensure future editions are hitch free. However, guests noted the remarkable coordinating skills of the festival co-director, Oko Owi Ocho Afrika, and the warm hospitality of Biachi Ndidi Anointing, who ensured that the guests had enough to eat and drink at the festival.
* Liam is Abuja-based writer and culture critic
