By Isa Abdulsamad
The Kogi Arts and Literary Festival (KALFest) which held in Lokoja ,the confluence capital city of Kogi State between the 9-10 May , 2025 became a visionary platform that gave voice to the unheard, spotlighting creativity, empowering young creatives, reviving the culture of reading, and inspiring a new generation of artists and thinkers to change the narrative of the state to positivity in the days it lasted. The two-day festival attended by about 250 persons held at the Federal University Lokoja, Adankolo Campus Auditorium, Lokoja, Kogi State.
On the first day, the event drew notable dignitaries and personalities of Kogi State origin from various walks of life who had become household names in the literary ,creative and academic sectors such as Professor Sunday Ododo, Mallam Denja Abdullahi, Miss Salamatu Sule, Nanahawa, Ismail Isah, Professor Abel Joseph, Dr. Muhammad Ali, Dr. Abba Abba, Maymuna Kadiri, Abdulhakeem Abdulsalam Adeiza, and many others. Professor Sunday Ododo, a renowned playwright and erstwhile General Manger of the National Theatre, who delivered the keynote address on the festival’s theme “The Confluence Canvas: Painting Kogi’s Story Through Arts and Literature,” emphasized the transformative power of art and literature in shaping Kogi State’s narrative and elevating it to global relevance.
In her welcome address at the opening ceremony, the founder of the festival, Muyibat Avosuahi Yusuf, delivered a powerful speech detailing the journey behind KALFest’s creation. This was followed by a vibrant cultural display from the Federal University Lokoja Secondary School students, who showcased Igbo, Igala, and Yoruba cultural performances. Nanahawa, the SSA to the Governor and representative of the Commissioner for Education, gave a goodwill message in which she highlighted the value of KALFest to youth development and expressed the Ministry’s full support. Ismail Isah, SA on Media to the Governor, echoed this sentiment, assuring the festival team of the state government’s backing under His Excellency Alhaji Usman Ododo, the Governor of Kogi State
A stimulating panel discussion followed, featuring Mallam Denja Abdullahi, former president of the Association of Nigerian Authors(ANA) and Dr. Abba Abba, a senior lecturer at the Federal University ,Lokoja and moderated by Miss Salamatu Sule, a renowned literary agent and book reviewer. 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 dwelt on the works of notable writers from Kogi State such as Prof. Olu Obafemi, Prof Emmy Idegu, Mallam Denja Abdullahi, Prof Idris Okpanachi, Prof Sunday Ododo, Late Dr Onukaba Adinoyi-Ojo , late Prof Aderemi Bamikunle and many others that have put the state on the literary and cultural world map through their creative and academic works. The day also featured a compelling poetry performance titled “Kwararafa” by Oko Owiocho Africa, which left the audience in awe. Other younger creative reative talents who performed poetry 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
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A second panel discussion followed, featuring Miss Salamatu Sule and Dr. Muhammad Ali, moderated by Mallam Denja Abdullahi. The topic was “The Canvas Speaks: Artists as Storytellers of Kogi’s Journey.” The discussion was enlightening and thought-provoking, 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 concluded with a drama production by the Department of English and Literary Studies, Federal University Lokoja, under the direction of Dr. Abba Abba. The play, adapted from Mallam Denja Abdullahi’s award –winning and most performed Nigerian play in the last five years Death and the King’s Grey Hair, was brilliantly executed. The playwright himself praised the performance, stating that it was the best staging of the play he had ever witnessed.
Isah Abdulssamad, co-founder of KALFest, delivered the closing remarks on the first day, and MC Cabman wrapped up Day One with a warm invitation to return for Day Two.
The second day began with an opening speech by Isah Abdulssamad, who welcomed guests and officially opened the day’s events. Muyibat Avosuahi 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 Miss Salamatu Sule shared deep 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 Professor Abel Joseph as Chief Judge, alongside Dr. Muhammad Ali and Maymuna Kadiri, 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 N70,000, N50,000, and N30,000 respectively. Miss Salamatu Sule and Oko Owiocho Africa gave encore spoken word and freestyle performances, keeping the energy alive. Muyibat Avosuahi Yusuf closed the festival with a heartfelt note of appreciation to sponsors, partners, and team members, reaffirming that KALFest had come to stay, and called on the state government, individuals, and organizations to support the future of the festival.
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 potentials of national significance.