Muiz Ọpẹ́yẹmí Àjàyí is the new Asst. Curator of Poetry Column-NND
We are pleased to announce that Muiz Opeyemi Ajayi is the new Assistant Curator of Poetry Column-NND. He takes over from Ayo W. Oriolowo in this role. Muiz Ọpẹ́yẹmí Àjàyí (Frontier XVIII) is an Editor of The Nigeria Review, Poetry Reader for Adroit Journal, Literary Head of the University of Ibadan LDS.
Winner of the Lagos-London Poetry Competition 2022, University of Ibadan Law LDS Poetry Prize 2022, he’s been shortlisted/longlisted for Ake Poetry Prize, Briefly Write Poetry Prize, Kreative Diadem Poetry Prize. Muiz is a recipient of the 2023 Poetry Translation Centre UNDERTOW Fellowship.
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).
