FOLORUNSHO EDITOR’S POETRY PRIZE 2024

Named after the late Publisher of Nigerian NewsDirect, Dr Samuel Folorunsho Ibiyemi, the Folorunsho Editor’s Poetry Prize follows in the tradition of upholding and supporting poetry in Nigeria through our Poetry Column. This prize has been bumped up to N200,000 for 2024.

ELIGIBILITY

Only poets published in the Poetry Column in the year under consideration (2024) are eligible for this prize. The winners will be announced at the Nigerian NewsDirect 14th Anniversary and Lecture, Lagos Oriental Hotel, Ikeja on December 6, 2024.

Previous Winners

1. Zaynab Bobi (2023)  
2. Emmanuel Mgbabor (2023)

About Dr Samuel Folorunsho Ibiyemi

Prior to his death on July 4, 2023, Dr Samuel Ibiyemi was the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Nigerian NewsDirect. He attended Obafemi Awolowo University between 1991 and 1995 graduating with a degree in Economics before proceeding to University of Lagos where he earned a Master’s degree in Economics in 1998. He started his journalism career with Industrial Leaders Magazine as a staff writer. In 2000, he joined Financial Standard where he was Deputy Editor until 2009 before switching to Nigerian Tribune serving as Group Business Editor between 2010 and 2011. In March 2011, Ibiyemi established Nigerian NewsDirect Newspaper. He is a prominent member of the Association of Energy Correspondents of Nigeria and the Nigerian Guild of Editors.

Ibiyemi started his career in the Nigeria Air Force between 1984 and 2000 and left the military after a short time of service (16 years) with formidable records, joining the media in his 30s. He worked with the defunct Financial Standard where he rose from reporter to the post of deputy editor in one of the fastest upward trajectories in the media industry at the time within six years. In 2009, he left for Nigerian Tribune where he climbed the ladder to the post of the Group Business Editor.

Journalism gave him the platform for broad engagement with seasoned leaders in business and politics, far and wide, particularly in the Country.

In 2011, Ibiyemi conceived the idea of Nigerian NewsDirect which he started. Ibiyemi went against suggestions of the paper being run by political sponsorship from suggested politicians who showed interest to be patrons of the house. His decision led to some close associates distancing from the vision, but his doggedness saw the paper surviving the hurdles of die-hard tough times. Against having a political patron sponsorship framework that would reduce the paper to the voice of a patron and his political interest, Ibiyemi chose to premise the structure of the paper on a broader business perspective, without delimitation to an enclosed political frontage. His approach saw the paper having a wider coverage than would have been the case, if the suggestion of a political patron was settled for. It was clear he knew what exactly he wanted, without recourse to compromises.

The paper rose in ranks to become recognised and formidable among leading newspapers in the Country today. The paper rose from the ranks of a weekly publication to a national daily circulating nationwide, known for credibility and objectivity.

Ibiyemi by the paper pushed to put business and political leaders on their toes. His influence particularly in the Southwest saw his engagement with Governors and other key political and public office holders yielding results of accountability with responsive returns to the masses.

As he extended his outreach to national impact, Ibiyemi at some point, began his inroads into politics. His first shot was at the gubernatorial seat of Osun. In 2018, Ibiyemi was among the leading aspirants for the All Progressives Congress (APC) party ticket and within a short time, built a formidable base of followers which attracted concern. However, after some close door deliberations within the APC family, he conceded to make way for the immediate past Governor of Osun State, Gboyega Oyetola, who remained to him, till his exit, a close associate.
Ibiyemi also added to his works the ministry of faith as he established and saw to the administration of Christ Apostolic Church, Great Grace Ministry International, where he served as the Lead Evangelist.

• Publisher – Nigerian NewsDirect (Daily National newspaper). March 2011 till July 2023.
• Editor-in-Chief-Nigerian NewsDirect: March 2010 to March 2011.
• Media Consultant – Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (August 2013 to October 2014).
• Member, Petroleum Industry Bill Technical Drafting Committee of Petroleum Ministry – October 2013 to Feb 2014.
• Group Business Editor/Deputy Editor-(Nigerian Tribune). January 2009 to February 2010.
• Deputy Editor – October 2007 to November 2009, Millennium Harvest Limited (Publisher of Financial Standard).
• Associate Editor, Dec. 2004 – Oct. 2007 Millennium Harvest Limited (Publisher of Financial Standard).
• Senior Energy Correspondent -Dec. 2001 – Dec. 2004 Millennium Harvest Limited (Publisher of Financial Standard).
• Energy Correspondent – June 2000 – Dec. 2001 Millennium Harvest Limited (Publisher of Financial Standard).
• Capital Market Reporter (Freelance) – January 2000 – June 2000 Industrial Leaders Communications Ltd. (Publisher of Nigeria’s Business and News Magazine).
• Armed Forces Resettlement Centre – January to June 2000).
• Airforce Secondary School, Ikeja (Economics Teacher) September 1997 to December 1999.
• Nigerian Airforce (Regiment-Armament, Aircraft Electronics & Instructor) May 25, 1984 to June 30, 2000.

AWARDS

• Best Article Writer: Obafemi Awolowo University (1992).
• Star Reporter Award: Financial Standard (2001).
• Outstanding Performance: Financial Standard (2001).
• Vocational Excellence Award: Rotary International (2001).
• Star Reporter Award: Financial Standard (2004).
• Distinguished Alumnus Award: Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife. (2006).
• Distinguished Personality of the Year: (Christ Apostolic Church) (2008).
• Best Editor of the Year-July 18, 2013. The Students’ Union Government, Federal College of Education, Osiele Abeokuta.
• Recognition Award- November 3, 2015, Estate Rent & Commission Agents Association of Nigeria (ERCAAN), Lagos State Chapter.
• Award of Excellence for Entrepreneurship. August 30, 2012, National Association of Energy Correspondents (NAEC).
• Award of Excellence. September 20, 2015, Reverend SBJ Oshoffa Memorial Schools, Lagos.
• Recognition Award. June 6, 2013 Communicators for Christ Fellowship (CFC), Department of Mass Communication University of Lagos.
• Ordination as Elder in Christ Apostolic Church, Agbala Itura, Ijoko, Ogun State- Nov 2008.

Coordinator,
Pamilerin Jacob