Kebbi and AFIDFF plan digital storytelling training for youths

The Africa International Documentary Festival Foundation says it is prepared to partner with the Kebbi State Government to train young people in digital content creation, documentation and promotion of the state’s cultural heritage and tourism assets. AFIDFF Director-General Malame Mangzha disclosed the plan in Abuja on Thursday when Kebbi Commissioner for Information and Culture Yakubu Ahmed Birnin Kebbi visited the foundation to discuss possible areas of cooperation. Mangzha said the foundation had spent about a decade documenting African history and cultural heritage in collaboration with organisations including UNESCO and Google Arts & Culture.

Its work has included heritage sites, monuments, festivals and other cultural assets. She said AFIDFF’s documentation of the Argungu Fishing Festival had generated more than 18 million views across digital platforms. She described the result as evidence of the international attention that Kebbi’s festivals could attract when they were professionally recorded and promoted.

The proposed training would give participants skills to produce digital material about their communities, festivals, tourism destinations and people. Mangzha said the programme would also cover responsible storytelling, heritage promotion and ways for young people to monetise creative skills and develop sustainable livelihoods. She said the foundation had a community of more than 5,000 young content creators and wanted to extend its opportunities to Kebbi.

The proposed coverage would include the Argungu Fishing Festival and festivals in Yauri and Zuru, with local residents telling the stories of their own state. Mangzha also proposed that Kebbi host a World Heritage Volunteer Programme in 2027, bringing young people and international volunteers together to experience, document and promote the state’s heritage. The commissioner welcomed the proposed cooperation and invited AFIDFF to document the Gwandu Emirate Horse-Racing Festival, Yauri Emirate Rigata Cultural Festival and Zuru Emirate Uhola Festival.

He said the partnership could give Kebbi youths a platform to present the state’s culture, tourism, investment opportunities and development to a wider audience.