The Words Finesse

The struggle for political control and power play dominate the longlist for the $100,000 Nigeria Prize for Literature, announced yesterday in Lagos by the Advisory Board for the Prize, sponsored by Nigeria LNG Limited.

Below are what, in parts, Andy Odeh -Manager, Corporate Communication and Public Affairs of NLNG Limited- had to say, in a statement issued yesterday, about the NLNG longlist and its prizes that began eight years ago.

"The 2018 longlist of 11 plays chosen from 89 entries was selected by a panel of three judges led by Matthew Umukoro, professor of Theatre Arts at the University of Ibadan. Other members of the panel include Mohammed Inuwa Umar - Buratai, professor of Theatre and Performing Arts and the Dean of the Faculty of Arts at the Ahmadu Bello University, (ABU), Zaria; and Ngozi Udengwu, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Theatre and Film Studies at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

"The Umukoro-led panel was appointed in February 2018 by the Prof. Ayo Banjo-led Advisory Board for the Nigeria Prize for Literature which has been administering the prize on behalf of Nigeria LNG Limited since 2010. Entries for the 2018 Prize were received by the judges in April 2018.

"The longlist for this year’s Prize is as follows:

1. August Inmates by Chidubem Iweka; published by Kraft Books

2. Death and The King’s Grey Hair by Denja Abdullahi; published by Kraft Books

3. Embers by Soji Cole; published by Emotion Press

4. Guerrilla Post by Obari Gomba; published by Narrative Landscape Press

5. Majestic Revolt by Peter E. Omoko; published by Malthouse Press

6. Melancholia by Dul Johnson; published by Sevhage Publishers

7. No More the Taming Hawks by Diran Ademiju-Bepo; published by Dynasty Tales

8. Once Upon an Elephant by Bosede Ademilua-Afolayan by Kraft Books

9. Sankara by Jude Idada; published by Parressia Publishing

10. The Rally by Akanji Nasiru; published by Kraft Books

11. Unstable by Dickson Ekhaguere; published by Tryspect Solutions

"Members of the Advisory Board for the Literature Prize, besides Professor Banjo, two-time Vice-Chancellor of Nigeria’s premier university, University of Ibadan, are Prof. Jerry Agada, former Minister of State for Education, former President of the Association of Nigerian Authors, and Professor Emeritus, Ben Elugbe, former President of the Nigerian Academy of Letters and president of the West-African Linguistic Society (2004-2013).

"The Nigeria Prize for Literature has, since 2004, rewarded eminent writers such as Gabriel Okara (co-winner, 2004, poetry), Professor Ezenwa Ohaeto (co-winner, 2004, poetry) for The Dreamer, His Vision; Ahmed Yerima (2005, drama) for his play, Hard Ground; Mabel Segun (co-winner, 2007, children’s literature) for her collection of short plays Reader’s Theatre; Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo (co-winner, 2007, children’s literature) for her book, My Cousin Sammy; Kaine Agary (2008, prose) for her book Yellow Yellow; Esiaba Irobi (2010, drama) who clinched the prize posthumously with his book Cemetery Road; Adeleke Adeyemi (2011, children’s literature) with his book The Missing Clock; Chika Unigwe (2012, prose), with her novel, On Black Sisters Street; Tade Ipadeola (2013, poetry) with his collection of poems, The Sahara Testaments, Professor Sam Ukala (2014, drama) with his play, Iredi War; Seasons of Crimson Blossoms, Abubakar Adam Ibrahim (2016, prose) and The Heresiad, Ikeogu Oke (2017, poetry)."

The Nigeria Prize for Literature with a cash award of $100, 000 is awarded yearly to the best excellent work, alternating amongst four literary genres: prose fiction, poetry, drama and children’s literature which will this year be awarded to the best excellent work submitted in the Drama genre.

Leading up to the announcement of the shortlist of three and winner, there will be a number of events open to the public featuring the authors which will be publicized on the corporate social media platforms of NLNG Limited.

A shortlist of three is expected in September and a possible winner will be announced by the Advisory Board in October.

For further details about the Longlist, Click HERE

For more info about NLNG Prize for Literature, visit their page via HERE

Eleven plays made it to the long list for the $100,000 Nigeria Prize for Literature this year, announced on Thursday, 26th of July, 2018, sponsored by the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG).

The Society of Authors revealed that McKitterick Prize honours the first novel by a writer aged over 40.

Speaking at the Authors’ Awards ceremony at the Royal Institute of British Architects, London, the Prize Judge,  Aamer Hussein said: “It’s a particular pleasure to discover the original, intriguing voice of Anietie Isong. 

"In his brief, deftly told Radio Sunrise, the author depicts his often-hapless protagonist’s sexual mishaps and political travails on a journey to his hometown with a unique blend of humour and poignance. An intriguing and accomplished new novelist.”

Receiving the prize from broadcaster and actor, Stephen Fry, at the well attended event by over 400 guests from across the publishing industry, the Nigerian-British writer said,  “I wrote Radio Sunrise to help draw attention to a myriad of issues in Nigeria, and I am thrilled that this resonated with the judges.”

Anietie, who is the brother of Emem Isong, an award-winning Nigerian filmmaker, with this feat, joins a distinguished line of previous winners like Helen Dunmore, Petina Gappah and Mark Haddon.

Apart from receiving the £4000 prize money, Anietie Isong has received previous awards like a Commonwealth Short Story Award and the Remember Oluwale Writing Prize.

He has worked as a journalist, speechwriter and communications manager in Nigeria and the UK. He holds a PhD in New Media and Writing. 

He will be speaking at the Marlborough Literature Festival in the UK, in September.

Marvel Comics has announced a spin-off series, to begin in October, in which Black Panther is lost on a mission to space, and Shuri is looked upon to step up to fill the void left by her big brother in their mythical home nation Wakanda.

"The world fell in love with Shuri in the movie. Now, the Black Panther’s techno-genius sister launches her own adventures," the publisher said, confirming news first published by Bustle.

British-Guyanese actress, Letitia Wright, earned praises for her portrayal of sarcasm and high-tech inventions that made her one of the main new characters in the film, which critics agree was a groundbreaking moment for blacks on the silver screen.

"While she [Shuri] is the most at home in her lab, working to keep her country at the forefront of science and technology, Wakanda is missing its leader," Marvel wrote in a press statement about the new series.

"Without T'Challa around, Shuri will have to decide if she will forego her own passions in order to stand up for her nation."

Female Nigerian-American sci-fi author, Ms Nnedi Okorafor, who writes African-based science fiction and fantasy novels, will write "Shuri." 

Hinting about her new task, she wrote on Instagram, "Marvel has given Shuri (sister of T’Challa) her own comic series…and I’m writing it. Yup!😎!! Shuri is an African young woman of genius level intelligence who is obsessed with technology and has traveled spiritually so far into the past that she’s seen Wakanda before it was Wakanda. The Ancestors call her “Ancient Future”. And she’s super ambitious. What do I love about her? Alllll that and more. #wakandaforever 🙅🏾‍♀️ #nnediokorafor#marvel"

Ms Okorafor is no stranger to the Marvel Universe as she has previously contributed to the bi-weekly series, Black Panther: Long Live the King. 

According to BBC, she is already working for Marvel on its "Wakanda Forever" series, which focuses on the Dora Milaje, the all-female special forces unit in the fictional nation.

Ms Okorafor told the online women's magazine, Bustle, that Shuri was a character in the "Marvel Universe who really sings to me."

She explained in an email to Bustle that she loved the character for her ambition and being a young African woman of "genius level intelligence who is obsessed with technology and has travelled spiritually so far into the past that she's seen Wakanda before it was Wakanda."

The author, who has Nigerian parents, has won a number of international awards, including a Hugo Award for her novella, Binti, and the Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature.

Her novel, "Who Fears Death" is reportedly being made into a drama series produced by Game Of Thrones' George RR Martin.

According to Box Office Mojo, "Black Panther" has taken in more than $1.34 billion, making it number nine on the all-time box office list. "Avatar" is the all-time champion at nearly $2.8 billion. 

Poets in Nigeria (PIN), University of Ibadan (UI) Connect Center, enriched with passionate young writers and literary enthusiasts, will, on the 27th of July, 2018 gather writers, spoken word artists, orators and literary enthusiasts to a big literary event at the University of Ibadan. 

The trio events which will hold at Arts Theatre, UI will feature competitions ranging from Spoken Word Slam to Oratory Contest to kick start at about 11 o' clock in the morning. 

Also in the evening, the event will be spiced up with a stage performance of "Frantic Vultures" by Gabriel Okonkwo, directed by Raji Joseph. 

While Oratory Contest will be on the topic, "Security Challenges in Nigeria: The way forward", participation for Spoken Word Slam will be by invitations to the shortlisted participants who would have forwarded their biodata -Name, Department, Faculty, and Contact details- to spokenwordslamUI@gmail.com with an 8-line poem on any theme, on or before Monday, 23rd of July.

Set to attend this promising event as guest poets include both established and budding poets such as Eriata Oribhabor (President, PIN), Servio Gbadamosi, Aniemeka Ndubuisi Martins, Ibrahim Odugbemi, Lawal Kafayat Gold, Olatunde Busayo, Mobolaji Sofoluwe, Muhammed Suleiman, Lanase Hussein Kehinde, Okunlola Olayinka Azeezat and others.

Orators and poets from Halls of Residence in the University of Ibadan and other Universities will be in attendance. 

Poets in Nigeria (PIN) is a literary body dedicated to the growth of Literature in Nigeria and the world. Over the years, PIN has been able to organize literary events and recorded successes across states in Nigeria. 

It also has Centres in various Universities across Nigeria where events are held annually.