We are pleased to announce that Michael Imossan is the new Curator of Poetry Column-NND. He takes over from Pamilerin Jacob in this role. Michael Imossan was one of the inaugural winners of the Nigerian NewsDirect Chapbook Award, for his chapbook, “For the Love of Country and Memory.”
He is a poet, playwright and editor of Ibibio origin. The author of the pamphlet “A Prelude to Caving,” his full length manuscript “Broken in Three places” was named semifinalist for the Sillerman first book prize for African Poetry, 2023. His full length manuscript “All that Refuses to Die” was named winner of the Sillerman First Book Prize for African Poetry, 2024. He is a recipient of the PEN INTERNATIONAL writer’s grant.
Poetry Column-NND, over its four years of existence, has published a plethora of poets: young, old, emerging, established. Most of whom have gone on to define the Nigerian/African/Diapora poetry landscape. We have published Servio Gbadamosi, I.S. Jones, JK Anowe, Dami Ajayi, Shoola Oyindamola, Jakky Bangkong-Obi, Olatunde Osinaike, Akpa Arinzechukwu, Othuke Umukoro, Ayokunle Falomo, Abu Bakr Sadiq, Tares Oburumu, Zaynab Bobi, Animashaun Ameen, Martin Deep, Chiwenite Onyekwelu, Anthony Okpunor, Timi Sanni, Sodïq Oyèkànmí, Samuel A. Adeyemi, Jide Badmus, Chisom Okafor, Tope A. Larayetan, Njoku Nonso, Tosin Gbogi, Shedrack Opeyemi Akanbi, Roseline Mgbodichinma, Hauwa Shaffi Nuhu, Nwodo Divine, Obasiota Ibe, Ugochukwu Damian, Ajibola Tolase, Samuel A. Betiku, Kei Vough Korede, Ejiro Edward, Daniel Orisaeke, Ola W. Halim, Emmanuel Alobu, Iyanu Adebiyi, Kayode Ayobami, Salami Alimot Temitope, Abdulbasit Oluwanishola, Rafiat Lamidi, Wisdom Adediji, Agunbiade Kehinde, Chinemerem Prince Nwankwo, Goodnews Karibo, Osahon Oka, Benard Okechukwu Nweke, Chiagoziem Jideofor, Abdulrazaq Salihu, Fatihah Quadri Eniola, Inimfon Inyang-Kpanantia, Blessing Omeiza Ojo, Emmanuel Obadara, Mgbabor Emmanuel, Emitomo Tobi Nimisire, Muhammed Olowonjoyin, Dipe Jola, Hassan A. Usman, Adesiyan Oluwapelumi, Olalekan Daniel Kehinde, Adamu Yahuza Abdullahi, Chinecherem Enujioke, Osieka Osinimu Alao, Abdulmueed Balogun Adewale, Okoronkwo Chisom, Saheed Sunday, Bayo Aderoju, Prosper C. Ìféányí, David Solomon, Alaro Basit, Muiz Opeyemi Ajayi, Ayoade Olamide, Joy Mamudu, Odukoya Adeniyi, Olumide Manuel, Olowo Qudus Opeyemi, Amina Akinola, Haruna Abdulmajid, Mgbabor Emmanuel Chukwudalu, Ajani Samuel Victor, Njikonye Charles N., Damilola Omotoyinbo, Joshua Effiong, Gideon Emmanuel, Charles Nnanna, Eniola Abdulroqeeb Arówólò, Nwuguru Chidiebere Sullivan, Flourish Joshua, Ogedengbe Tolulope, Offor Emmanuel, Divine Inyang Titus, Nnadi Samuel, Shitta Faruq Ademola, Ernest O. Ògúnyẹmí, Rahma O. Jimoh, Chidozie George, Chinedu Gospel, Taiwo Hassan, Emmanuel Ojeikhodion, Omodero David Oghenekaro, Fatima Usman, Elias Udòchi Andrevn, Akubudike Deborah, Idjenughwa Ogheneruona, Haneefah Bello, Anointing Obuh, Chibueze Obunadike, Boluwatife Afolabi, Pelumi Salako, Abdulbaseet Yusuff among others.
In 2020, in commemoration of the newspaper’s 10th year anniversary, we instituted the Nigerian NewsDirect Poetry Prize judged by Servio Gbadamosi and Shoola Oyindamola. Winners were Chidera Ihekereleome-Okorie (1st place), Praise Osawaru (2nd place), and Obafemi Thanni (3rd place).
In 2022, the NIGERIAN NEWSDIRECT CHAPBOOK AWARDS kicked off. This is an initiative of Poetry Column-NND that seeks to promote the voices of Nigerian poets, as the column does weekly in our newspaper. We hope to prioritise consistency of the award, and in so doing, document the vibrant work being put out by contemporary Nigerian poets. The inaugural winners were Michael Imossan (FOR THE LOVE OF COUNTRY AND MEMORY), and Olumide Manuel (HOPEMONGER).
In 2023, we instituted the Folorunsho Editor’s Poetry Prize. 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 its Poetry Column. Winners were: Emmanuel Mgbabor and Zaynab Bobi.
The Poetry Column also partnered with the following prizes during these four years: The Akachi Chukwuemeka Prize for Literature (2023, 2024), Sprinng Annual Poetry Contest (2024), Dr Samuel Folorunsho Ibiyemi Poetry Prize 2024 (run by The Lit and Debating Society, University of Ibadan).