173 Writers Vie for the Nigerian Prize for Literature

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173 Writers Vie for the Nigerian Prize for Literature

By Correspondent

To mark the beginning of another four-year rotation for the Nigerian prize for literature, a total of 173 prose fiction works by Nigerian writers at home and abroad are in the race for the 2016 edition. The categories include four literary genres ”“ prose, poetry, drama and children literature.The prize, worth $100,000, was announced at a media briefing organised by the Advisory Board and Bonny Island-based sponsors for the event; Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG) company.Mr Tony Okonedo, the Communications and Public Affairs Manager, NLNG said his company has been justified to be the sponsor of the 12 year-old prize which has contributed immeasurably to the Nigerian life.Okonedo reiterated, “Over the last 12 years, we’ve made no mistake in awarding the prize on the basis of excellence, as excellence and integrity have been the watchword for the prize. With the 173 entries received, we have a robust and thorough competition.”He lauded the Advisory Board made up of Professors Ayo Banjo (chairman), Ben Elugbe and Jerry Agada for their steadfastness and support through the years.“The board has been a rock of support for the prize,” he added.Okonedo did not forget to acknowledge the panel of judges: Professors Dan Izevbaye (chairman, Bowen University, Iwo), Isidore Diala (Imo State University, Owerri) and Asabe Kabir Usman (Usman Danfodiyo University, Sokoto) –for being men and woman of integrity, honour and excellence for helping to extend the frontiers of the written word.Responding to Okonedo, Emeritus Professor Ayo Banjo lauded the commitment of Nigeria’s foremost gas company, NLNG, to the prize and for blazing the trail that other companies have followed in instituting prizes for literature in country.He highlighted the guiding principles of the prize to be excellence, which he said would not be compromised.Prof. Banjo stated that that except for one or two years – 2009 and 2015 – when the prize was not awarded, because of poor entries, the prize has had worthy winners.Banjo lamented last year’s no-winner verdict on children literature category, noting, “Children’s literature appears to be the weakest link.”The university don strongly believes literature is a staple in Nigeria’s dietary system, noting that it can help in the fight against corruption in its humanizing values.“Our country needs the cultural reinforcement this prize offers. How has all our wealth been used? We hear mind-bogging sums that are alleged to have been stolen every day. So, you need cultural reinforcement and morality in terms of good conduct and good conscience in the people who run the affairs of state for more transparency. That good conduct that modifies behaviour is what consumption of literature can bring to any society.”Prof Dan Izevbaye who spoke for the panel of judges promised the commitment of his team to deliver a good prize this year, at the same time, he commended NLNG for promoting literary culture in the country.He reiterated, “Literature makes important contributions to people and the community. It points to the shortcomings of society.“We are not new to excellence and integrity; these and nothing else will decide the prize,” Izevbaye added. 

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