A Level 500 Law student of Bayero University Kano, Miss Amina Mustapha Umar, has brought honour to Kano State after emerging third, in the prestigious Chief of Army Staff’s Poetry Writing Competition, held as part of the Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) 2026 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The 23-year-old, an indigene of Gwangwazo Quarters in Kano Municipal Local Government Area, distinguished herself in a highly competitive contest that attracted 327 entries from across the country.
The competition commenced online in April 2026, with participants submitting original poems on themes aligned with the Nigerian Army Day celebration.
Following a rigorous evaluation process, Amina secured a place among the top 10 finalists after successfully completing an online interview conducted via Google Meet.
According to Professor Zahra Kwaghe of the University of Calabar, who served as the Chief Assessor, the screening panel carefully assessed participants before selecting the eventual winners.
The awards ceremony took place on July 4, 2026, during the ongoing Nigerian Army Day Celebration in Port Harcourt.
The prizes were presented by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General W. Shuaibu, assisted by the Chief of Civil-Military Affairs, Army Headquarters, Major General Musa Auwal Etsu Ndagi.
Amina’s outstanding performance has been widely described as a landmark achievement for her family, Bayero University Kano, and Kano State.
Her success also underscores the academic excellence and creative potential of young Nigerians, particularly students who continue to excel beyond the classroom.
Notably, she was the only finalist from Nigeria’s North-West geopolitical zone to finish among the competition’s top winners, making her accomplishment a source of pride for the region.
Her achievement has been hailed as a testament to determination, intellectual excellence and the power of creative expression, while further strengthening Kano State’s reputation for producing talented young leaders capable of competing successfully on the national stage.
