By Awwal Umar Kontagora In a bid to foster literacy and creativity among youth, the Zazzau Literary Society has officially launc...
By Awwal Umar Kontagora
In a bid to foster literacy and creativity among youth, the Zazzau Literary Society has officially launched a platform encouraging collaboration and the development of a vibrant arts and creative ecosystem in Zaria.
Aminu Aliyu Yantagwaye, the Society’s first president, made the announcement following the grand unveiling of the Zazzau Literary Society on January 4, 2026, at IDACECD, Zaria. The event carried the theme: “Collaborative Ecosystem in Zaria: Where We Started, Our Current State and the Future We Are Looking At.”
Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Haruna Muhammad, Chairperson of the Zazzau Creative Writers’ Club and a psychology lecturer at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), reflected on the roots of arts and intellectual discourse in Zaria. He recalled how twelve years ago, the Zazzau Creative Writers’ Club was established at Shehu Idris LGEA Primary School in Babban Dodo, bringing together intellectuals to exchange ideas on a weekly basis.
The Royal Father of the Day, Maga Isan Zazzau, Dr. Bashir Ibrahim Dabo, urged the society to collaborate internally to drive more positive initiatives in Zaria and pledged continued support for its activities. His remarks highlighted the commitment of the Zazzau Emirate Council to youth-led cultural and creative programs.
Dr. Abubakar Ayuba of ABU’s Department of African Languages and Culture traced the beginnings of creativity in Zaria to the era of Emir Alu Dansidi, himself a poet, and shared excerpts from the Emir’s poems to illustrate the rich literary heritage of the region. Other notable contributors included Malam Ila Ibrahim Baffa, founder of Startup Zaria, and Muhammad Sani Ibrahim, a popular climate activist in Zaria, who discussed ways to support the local creative ecosystem. Dr. Aminu Hayatu from Bayero University Kano commended the society’s initiatives and encouraged the youth to continue exploring Zaria’s cultural heritage.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including the Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Zaria Chapter, Malam Yusuf Aliyu; Special Assistant to the Kaduna State Governor, Malam Bello Aliyu Hayatu; Zaria activist Ishaq Alhassan Qauran Mata; Alkalin Pambeguwa, Mal Aliyu Muhammad Ahmad; as well as heads of departments from Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic Zaria, including the Departments of Journalism and Electrical Engineering. Other participants included Dr. Saminu from the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at ABU, Malam Ishaq Ibrahim Mighty, co-founder of the Zazzau Creative Writers’ Club, representatives of the Poetic Wednesday initiative, representatives of Bright Future Private Tuition Zaria, Teacher Temitope Baheedou Dauda from Demonstration Secondary School Kongo, the Chairman of the Association of Hausa Poets, Shamsuddeen Hamza, and many other creative minds from across Zaria.
During the event, Hadiza Isyaku Abdulsalam, Public Relations Director of the Zazzau Literary Society, outlined the society’s planned activities, which include monthly workshops, mentorship programs, arts exhibitions, and capacity-building trainings. The society’s Mentorship and Development Director, Malam Sani Ahmad Bamalli, expressed appreciation to attendees and prayed for safe journeys home.
The launch of the Zazzau Literary Society marks a significant step in building a collaborative, youth-driven platform to nurture literary and creative talents in Zaria, preserving the city’s rich cultural heritage while encouraging innovation and artistic expression.
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