Nigerian NewsDirect announces winners, finalists of annual poetry prize
…Appoints First Poet Laureate
Chidera Ihekereleome-Okorie, Praise Osawaru, and Obafemi Thanni have been announced as the winners of the first edition of Nigerian NewsDirect Poetry Prize 2020 worth N150,000. The winners and 17 other finalists were announced on Wednesday (March 31). Bloom, the winning poem by Chidera, explores grief through the pinhole of a miscarriage and the rekindled hope that follows.
“We are delighted to be part of the movement spotlighting literary excellence in Nigeria. Nigerians are known for their immense talent, both home and abroad. Congratulations to these young talented writers,” said Prince (Dr.) Samuel Ibiyemi, Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Nigerian NewsDirect.
Going on, he added, “It also gives us great pleasure to be the first organization in Nigeria to appoint a Poet Laureate in the real sense, whose primary function would be to further the concerns of poetry in public memory.”
“Not to mention our pride in Othuke Umukoro, a one-time contributor to our Poetry Column, recently shortlisted for the Brunel International African Poetry Prize 2021. Like I mentioned earlier, we are always on the lookout for grassroots talent abundant in this great country.”
The Nigerian NewsDirect Poetry Prize, a sub-division of Poetry Column-NND, is an annual project established to champion the cause of poetry in everyday life, and to promote emerging and established poets in the country. The judges of the inaugural edition—with over 1000 entries—include Servio Gbadamosi and Shoola Oyindamola, while the whole process was moderated by Pamilerin Jacob.
The first place winner of the prize is automatically appointed to the role of Nigerian NewsDirect Poet Laureate (@PoetLaureateNND), and is expected to play an advisory role to the organization in all things poetry.
The finalists whose poems will be released in a chapbook include: Chiemeziem Everest Udochukwu, Olaitan Humble, Joshua Morley, Ujiogba Sharon Moyinoluwa, Ehi-kowochio Ogwiji, Oluwatobi Ezekiel Poroye, Joy Mamudu, Olakitan T. Aladesuyi, Erhu Kome, OLALEKAN Daniel Kehinde, Aiyejinna Abraham Oshokunofa, Efe Ogufere, Ruth Adaeze Ikonne, Ojo Taiye, Anuoluwa Soneye, Ebube Udeoba, Adetutu Adediran.
