By Taibat Ummi Yakubu
Following a successful outing in Bauchi during the MPS Media Poetry Challenge 2026 – Arewa Edition, organisers have announced that Kaduna State will host the North-West zonal stages of the competition as preparations gather momentum for the next phase of the literary contest.
The Founder and Chief Executive Officer of MPS Media, Prof. Ahmed Adamu, disclosed in a statement that auditions and qualification rounds for contestants from the North-West region will take place from September 12 to 18, 2026.
The zonal auditions are expected to attract participants from seven states—Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara—who will compete in a series of stages designed to identify outstanding poetic talent from across the region.
The event will be held at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Hall, Murtala Square, Kaduna, where contestants will not only vie for a place in the next round of the competition but also gain opportunities to sharpen their creative skills, build self-confidence and connect with fellow young writers and performers.
Organisers said the challenge provides a platform for participants to use poetry as a tool for storytelling, social engagement and self-expression, while highlighting issues affecting their communities and aspirations for the future.
In a major boost to the competition, Her Highness Habiba Shehu Danfulani, Lu’u’lu’un Matan Gusau and Founder of Zamcare Initiative and ASAD Furniture, has extended sponsorship support to the North-West zonal stage.
The sponsorship is a continuation of her longstanding partnership with MPS Media and reflects her commitment to youth development, humanitarian service, philanthropy and community advancement.
Speaking on her support for the initiative, Shehu Danfulani said young people possess immense potential that should be nurtured and given room to flourish.
“Every young person carries a potential that deserves to be discovered, encouraged and given the opportunity to flourish. Supporting initiatives that give young people a platform to learn, express themselves and develop their talents is one of the ways we can contribute to building a stronger future for our communities,” she said.
Reacting to the sponsorship, Prof. Adamu described the gesture as a significant investment in the future of young people across Northern Nigeria.
According to him, Habiba Shehu Danfulani has consistently demonstrated a commitment to empowering youths beyond financial assistance by creating opportunities that help them unlock their talents and aspirations.
“Her Highness Habiba Shehu Danfulani represents the kind of leadership and philanthropy that creates opportunities rather than simply providing assistance. What makes her support particularly meaningful is that she has believed in these young people even before they stepped onto the competition stage,” he said.
He noted that the philanthropist had previously sponsored scholarships for young people to enrol in the MPS Media Poetry Academy and was now extending that support to contestants participating in the North-West zonal competition.
“She previously supported young people to access the MPS Media Poetry Academy through scholarships, and today she is extending that commitment by supporting the North-West Zonal Stages. This is a powerful demonstration of what happens when individuals who care about their communities invest directly in the potential of young people,” Adamu added.
The MPS Media Poetry Challenge 2026 – Arewa Edition is aimed at promoting youth empowerment, cultural expression, leadership development and peacebuilding, while providing a platform for discovering and nurturing emerging creative talents across Northern Nigeria.
With Kaduna set to host the North-West qualifiers, anticipation is building among contestants and poetry enthusiasts as another chapter unfolds in a competition increasingly gaining recognition as a launchpad for the next generation of northern creative voices.
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