By Fasomo Micheal
For the first time in over 3 decades, poets in the home of hospitality have gathered to celebrate the State’s vibrant poetry culture. They came armed – not with swords and sophisticated weapons, but with beautiful lines that resonated with their unique personalities.
They came ready and prepared to thrill their audience with their sonorous voices that strike a cord, calling for a positive change, challenge the norm, and break free from limiting narratives.
The cross-country celebration of poetry CCCP is an initiative of Poet in Nigeria PIN. CCCP is an annual event that is now in its third year held simultaneously across cities in Nigeria.
The theme for this year is “The Power and Pleasure of Poetry.” This theme seeks to explore the unique power and pleasure found in literary works. According to the lead organizer, Judith Maikaho, the primary aim of Cross Country Celebration of Poetry is to instil the love of poetry in the heart of every Nigerian.
“Most of the time, Nigerians seem to see poetry as something reserved for the elite and the sophisticated, but we have also observed that poetry can be a vehicle for community development and service. This event is organized to make poetry more accessible to every common man and at the same time use it as a tool to build our community.”
The keynote speaker for this year’s Cross-Country Celebration of Poetry Nationwide is Professor Niyi Osundare, while the national moderator is Bashira Idris.
While delivering his speech, the guest speaker, Mr Fasomo Michael, reviewed the work of Prof. Niyi Osundare titled “The Leader and the Led.” He draws valuable lessons that can make the audience a good citizen and a responsible leader.
“I am honored to speak on this year’s theme, The Power and Pleasure of Poetry, with insights from The Leader and the Led, a profound work by Prof. Niyi Osundare. This poem offers timeless lessons on the relationship between leaders and their followers, an essential topic in our time.”
“One striking theme in The Leader and the Led is the constant tension between power and responsibility. The lion is powerful but too proud; the hyena, though hungry for control, is unreliable. Power alone doesn’t make a great leader—true leadership combines strength with humility, an ability to listen, and a dedication to the well-being of the led.”
” Osundare doesn’t elevate one animal as a perfect leader. Instead, he suggests that real progress comes from unity and cooperation. The diverse voices in the animal kingdom express that no one type of leader can satisfy all needs. This reminds us that leadership isn’t a solo act. It’s the symphony of varied voices that achieves harmony. For us, this means that good leaders listen, involve, and empower others, finding strength in diversity.”
In his goodwill message, the program coordinator of Ideas and Data Global Academy, Malam Yusuf Usman Umar, called on all poets present to strive to build a career with their talent.
“ I would like to urge everyone, both the practicing, intending, and already made poets, to continue to build their capacity, especially now that the global economy is not stable. Poetry is a big industry on its own, if you continue to develop your capability, you can make a fortune from it.
Let me cite an example of our dear sister Al-Islam; she is often invited to National and Global stages to perform with mind-blowing pay. Let me tell you each of you seated here can be much better than her”
Yusuf seized the opportunity to inform the audience that effort is in top gear to organize the first Spoken word contest in Katsina by Ideas and Data Global Academy.
While speaking at the end of the event, the co-organizer of the first Cross Country Celebration of Poetry in Katsina State, Abdulaziz Tukur, said the event has achieved its set objectives, particularly for the pronouncement made by Mr. Yusuf to host the first Spoken Word contest in Katsina State
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