Sterling Bank sponsors KABAFEST to stimulate development of talents

Managing Director of Sterling Bank Plc, Abubakar Suleiman, has said that the role of the Kaduna Book and Arts Festival (KABAFEST) in promoting literacy and education aligns with the bank’s HEART strategy.

The strategy focuses on investments in five key sectors of the economy – health, education, agriculture, renewable energy and transportation.

In his goodwill message which was delivered online during the opening ceremony in Kaduna, the bank chief noted: “Sterling invests consistently in education as a tool for human capital development as education is one of the keys that would drive prosperity in Nigeria.

The Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, commended Sterling Bank for its sponsorship of the event. He also touched on the history of KabaFest, saying: “I am pleased and honoured to stand here with you during the opening of the 4th edition of KABAFEST.

“The idea of KABAFEST was not original. I was in Abeokuta to attend the Ake Arts and Books Festival and thought that we needed something like this in northern Nigeria to promote our artists and creative platforms because Abeokuta is far from Maiduguri and Sokoto. Kaduna is a little bit closer.”

On her part, the Director of Book Buzz Foundation, Lola Shoneyin, organisers of the KABAFEST, expressed her appreciation to the state government and the sponsors: “I want to say how grateful we are to you for being part of a project that has been truly life-changing. As of this moment, yours is still the only state government in Nigeria that is fully funding a book festival for the people of the state.

“Kaduna State has set the bar very high. Together, we have created something so valuable and laudable that in several states in Northern Nigeria today and across the country, young people are getting together to establish festivals. This is a huge win for Kaduna State and also a dream come true for me. We cannot achieve anything without our sponsors and supporters. I would like to thank Sterling Bank, which has been on board for the third time in a row. If you open an account with Sterling Bank today, you get a bag with a fantastic set of books.”