The Governor of Kaduna State Uba Sani declaring open the 5th edition of the Kaduna Book and Arts Festival (KABAFEST), a gathering of literary enthusiasts, publishers, authors, readers, booksellers and other stakeholders in the book ecosystem in Nigeria and beyond.
Sani mentioned that KABAFEST remains the only state – funded festival in Nigeria, if not in sub – Saharan Africa. As a state government, we are proud to be the major partners in this great initiative. I commend the organizers of KABAFEST for sustaining this event which has evolved into a beacon of cultural excellence and intellectual exchange, assembling talents from across Kaduna State, northern Nigeria and beyond. The Kaduna Government will continue to fund KABAFEST because of its critical role in the promotion of reading culture and learning.
Uba Sani congratulate and pay special tribute to my dear sister, the cerebral, versatile and resourceful author, Her Excellency, Hajiya Hadiza El-Rufai for her remarkable and inspiring efforts, not just as the founder of KABAFEST, but also as someone that has sustained and driven its activities for the last five years. At a personal level, I wish to express my gratitude to Her Excellency for undertaking to work on a book detailing my formative years, family life, career/business, years of activism, and foray into politics.
He explained that We have made provision for 100 students to take advantage of the Kaduna State Book Grant which offers them the opportunity to spend N20,000 on books in the festival bookstore. Also, our administration is investing in upgrading and upscaling both physical and e-libraries across the state. This, we believe, will create an enabling environment for reading and learning.
Uba sani demonstrate Commitment in his administration has prioritized education because it is a leveller; a tool for mental and economic liberation. We are currently building Vocational and Technology Skills City in Rigachikun, Samarun Kataf and Soba. We want our citizens to have the requisite skills to fill positions in the business concerns we have attracted to the state. We slashed the fees in our tertiary institutions to lessen the burden on parents and ensure that our children continue with their education uninterrupted. We are massively rehabilitating and constructing classrooms in primary and secondary schools across the State.
Governor said We are raising the quality of our teachers through sustained training and retraining. In partnership with Google, we are training 5,000 women and girls in Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, and Applied Digital Technology. To address the issue of out -of- school children in Kaduna state and improve general education infrastructure, my administration is currently implementing a massive project tagged ‘ REACHING OUT -OF- SCHOOL CHILDREN.’ The project will increase access to learning opportunities, improve enrolment and ensure active participation and completion of quality primary education by all children, particularly children with disability, girls and adolescents.
In Her remark Mrs Lola shanegey express satisfaction with this year Book festival in Kaduna
She pointed out that a most of talent are from the North with passion in literature .
Among the attendees from various groups such as Kannywood,Nollywood, Northern Artists and writes.
