By Abubakar Baba Ahmad
One hundred and thirty seven young poets from the six states of the Northeast have converged on Bauchi for the 2026 MPS Media Poetry Challenge, Arewa Edition.
A statement by the Media Coordinator, of the Audition Khadija Salihu says the event, tagged the Blind Audition Stage, brought together participants from Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe States to showcase their poetry and storytelling skills.
The contestants presented their original pieces of work on culture, identity, education, youth development, social issues and community development.
Speaking at the event, the Special Assistant to the President on Delivery and Coordination, Dr Aishatu Kabir, described poetry as a powerful tool used in expressing ideas, preserving culture and educate the society.
Dr Kabir represented by the Chief Executive Officer of the Sustainable Development Conversations Initiative, Sulaiman Fanty, who said Northern Nigeria has a long tradition of using poetry to educate and shape society, cited the works of Nana Asma’u, Sa’adu Zungur and Aliyu Na Mangli, encouraging the contestants to use their voices to promote truth and positive change.
One of the organisers, Salim Tahir Ibrahim, said the event provides young people with an opportunity to express themselves through poetry and address issues affecting society particularly insecurity and injustice.
The founder of MPS Media, Professor Ahmed Muhammad, said the initiative which began last year in Katsina has attracted global attention, promoting its expansion to all the 19 northern states to highlight the contributions of young people.
He added that the initiative aims to change the narrative about the North by creating positive headlines and showcasing what young people are capable of achieving, rather than allowing insecurity to define the region.
At the end of the audition, about 90 successful contestants are expected to proceed to the next stage scheduled for August 11 2026 in Bauchi.