Oftentimes, people infer 'triumphing' as a means of obtaining riches, fame,or just to become illustrious. Thus, it depends on how we perceive social reality. We all have different perceptions in understanding the world politically, socially and economically.
Moreover, stepping into writing is one of my greatest accomplishment. My encounter with Umar Yogiza Jr, is another story to tell.
Cogitating within myself, I wonder if, One can ever be creative without having any encounter with books? One must read other people’s work, see through their experiences and perceptions in order to develop a unique kind of creativity.
My voyage into Poetry began after reading some worth reading poems of Sulaiman Ayuba, Adamu Usman Garko, Sultanatul Jamilat, Mujahid Ameen lilo, Maryam Maynerh Saleh, so also Umar Yogiza Jr.
It was then that I decided to compose a poem of my own but I was punctured with the blow of criticism!
Notwithstanding, I realized that criticism is a manure, it makes a writer grow. Veraciously,I have to be strong enough to withstand and overcome all form of critiques.
Thenceforth, I joined Creative Writer’s Club Gombe state University. I write, present and await criticisms. Likewise , I also decided to join Creative Writer’s Club Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria Nigeria where I’m schooling to further enhance my writing skills.
Whilst, my joining Creative Writer’s Club, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria Nigeria, I first met Chair person, Hassana Maina, also Muhammad Gulani and Nuraini the Chairman of the Club. Sincerely, their personalities represent Creativity, philanthropy and intellectuality.
When I first joined the Club, I only attended their several workshops,enjoyed other people's presentations and appreciated their works silently. One day, Hassana Maina asked me to share my pieces with them, she told me to feel free to present my literary works in the next Workshops.
During the next Workshop at Kongo Campus, faculty of Law, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, I went there with my paper presentation. I sat like all other days, listening to other presenters, but it wasn't as comfortable as before, I was too nervous to even comprehend what the speakers were saying.
My expression was neutral, but inside, I was dying with fear, my heart was pounding so hard and my brain kept shouting that I would be the next presenter after the person before me. The love I have for Hafsat Tanimu Suleiman was a very gearing factor towards my victory that day. I summoned all my courage walk up to the stage to present my piece amidst other literary enthusiasts. My Poem presentation was not that bad, critics and recommendations were made and I had the unforgettable experience.
In addendum, I met Umar Yogiza Jr- the author of Instrument of Immortality. I have been reading some of his piece on social media in many websites but have never met him physically.
I first met him on Facebook, I send him a friend request and he accepted. We chat, I informed him that I am a Young writer from Ahmadu Bello University, and that I was really inspired by his Magical, and thunderous write-ups, he send a smiley face, so I asked him if I can share some of my poems to go through. The Brobdingnagian Yogiza Jr, gave me his contact info and told me to send my poems through that he also said he would meet me at A.B.U Zaria fest if I happened to be Present, but the event was later called off.
Yogiza Jr went through my poems, encouraged me to put more efforts and told me that my Poems were nice. I developed more courage and more zeal to continue writing. At about 9:24pm on Wednesday, July, 30th 2019, Umar Yogiza Jr, messaged me that he was to come for a Program for Association of Nigerian Authors ,Benue State Chapter, Benue State, Makurdi. That we should meet there on Thursday, 1st August 2019.
Joyously, I met with him. That nostalgic Thursday, which he Welcomed me with a warmth heart, his smile and generosity was accomadating. Behold, I saw a Creative Magician! Umar Yogiza Jr, is Perhaps a Poetic Magician! We moved together with him to the event and after some minutes, the event commenced. There was the present of the President of Association of Nigerian Authors, Professor Jerry Agada and some other proffessors, Philosophical Doctors, Young Writers and many more. The event was segmented into two sections; one was for Authors to express their books published and the other was for Poetry.
Amidst the poetry section, Umar Yogiza Jr, presented one of his Poem and there was a round of applause for him during and after his presentation. A Doctor of philosophy Presented a very nice poem with its review capturing contemporary Nigeria, Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, Igala, Idoma, Igbira, Tiv etc Pointing that they are all brothers, and how Political and religious sentiments sets in causing huge degenerations and hatreds.
During the second segment , a great writer, father, Author etc Dr. Kamilos lectured us about “KENETIC” - The consolidation of kinetic; how writers create love, solidarity and share aesthetic. He later moved on to talk about how religious differences, political elites etc poisoned our hearts and decomposed aesthetic nature of writers. He also crap shoot into the 'ills' young writers face in the terrain of creativity; young writer’s victimology!
Prof. Jerry Agada the President of Association of Nigerian Authors spoke last at the Conference. He postulated that without suffering there’s no enjoyment and that we should keep reading and writing too.
And finally Umar Yogiza Jr was recommended for his hard work towards ensuring and assisting young writers both on Facebook and in all ramifications.
This is my travelogue and the Giza's encounter ………
©Hassan Idris Writes from Benue, Nigeria.
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| Together at a conference with Umar Yogiza Jr, the author of instruments of immortality and others at Association of Nigerian authors(ANA), Benue state chapter. |
What a great encounter, you are already a great writer. Keep writing. Keep reading.
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