The Words Finesse

Ikeogu Oke

- Abdulhafeez T. Oyewole 

A renowned Nigerian poet and the winner of the 2017 NLNG Prize for Literature, Ikeogu Oke, is dead.

Born in 1967, he passed away last night, Saturday, 24th of November, 2018 at the National Hospital, Abuja, after a brief illness. 

The poet, who was also a journalist, gained nationwide fame last year when he won the 2017 Nigeria Prize for Literature (Poetry Category) for his book, The Heresiad, a book of epic poetry.

3 Shortlisted books for 2017 NLNG Prize for Literature

The deceased was presented with a cheque of $100,000 (N37m) by the Prize sponsor, Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Company Limited.

This Oke’s operatic poetry titled, The Heresiad, beat Ogaga Ifowodo’s A Good Mourning and Tanure Ojaide’s Songs of Myself: Quartet, to claim the prize after an intensive adjudication process.

Ikeogu reading the poem he wrote for Okigbo at Ojoto

Ikeogu Oke's poems and other writings have appeared in journals, anthologies and other publications worldwide. He has performed his poems at various fora in Nigeria, South Africa and the United States, including as a special performance poet guest of Brown University in 2014. He graduated with a BA in English and Literary Studies from the University of Calabar and an MA in Literature from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. In 2010, Nadine Gordimer, the winner of the 1991 Noble Prize in Literature, selected his second collection of poems, Salutes without Guns, as her Book of the Year for the Times Literary Supplement. 

His other books include In The Wing Of Waiting, The Lion and The Monkey, The Tortoise And The Princess and Where I Was Born.

Meanwhile, the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), through its National President, Denja Abdullahi, has expressed deep shock over the untimely death of the late poet laureate.

According to the Nigerian Authors' President, "Ikeogu Oke was a committed member of ANA and together we (the deceased and him) have criss-crossed Nigeria on several literary ventures, ranging from Arrow of God @ 50 in 2014 to the recent Return To Idoto 2 which held in Ojoto-Awka in August, 2018."

Abdullahi who said Ikeogu was a friend and compatriot, described him as an affable, gentle and enigmatic fellow who lived and breathed poetry. 

The ministry's Director and cultural technocrat prayed that God give the deceased family and the literary community the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss, while also praying that his poetic soul rest in peace.

The African Writers Development Trust (AWDT)'s shortlists for the 2018 African Writers Award have been released by the respective judges of each category of the award.

The shortlistees were unveiled in a statement issued by the Chief judge of the award, Anthony Onugba today.

The category judges who have left comments regarding the entries, shortlisted ten (10) out of Short stories, Flash fiction and Poetry received, except Children’s literature with shortlisted five (5) entries. 

Below are judges' comments, shortlisted entries and their authors:

Children’s Literature

"For this edition, there were few entries for children’s literature compared to the other genres. This shows that there is a dearth of Children’s literature writers from Africa. Perhaps, it is worth considering." – Nahida Esmail (Tanzania)

The shortlists for this genre are:

• Onyekachi Eberechi Grace (Nigeria) for ‘Freedom Is at the Bank of the River.’

• Manu Herbstein  (Ghana) for ‘Roise-Awa.’

• Maryam Awaisu (Nigeria) for ‘Ms Joana’s Rules.’

• Jo Allen (Kenya) for ‘Who Can Stop the Rain.’

• Anierobi Ginikachi Maria (Nigeria) for ‘Destined for Greatness.’

Short Stories

“I believe that the best short stories have the power to change minds, to rethink attitudes, and build empathy by asking the readers to walk in other’s shoes through the breathing of life and emotion into the characters. The 2018 African Writers Awards’ shortlisted stories look beneath the veil of femininity and sexuality. They challenge gender politics and bash at the rough grip societal norms have on the African girl child. Like a thousand voices coming from every nuke, dark crack and sealed door, they give voice to every African woman who has for long been buried under the rug of society.”  -Nyashadzashe Chikumbu (Zimbabwe)

The shortlists are:

• Nana Ama Gyemaah Otuahene (Ghana) for ‘The merchandise.’

• Temwai Mgundu (Malawi) for ‘A Dance in the Dark.’

• Odinegwa Onmwamere (Nigeria) for ‘My Mother’s 4th pregnancy.’

• Musak Worneh (Ethiopia) for ‘Anathema.’

• Munira Hessein (Kenya) for ‘The power of the Wind.’

• Philani Amadeas Nyoni (Zimbabwe) for ‘Celestial Incest.’

• Aisha M. Umar (Nigeria) for ‘Binle’s Emerald. ‘

• Ben Mugo (Kenya) for ‘Dawn.’

• Mazabu Mwanga (Zambia) for ‘Till Death.’

• Mema Daisy Ojukwu (Nigeria) for ‘A Woman Now.’

Flash Fiction

"We received a lot of entries in this category. Below are the shortlisted 10." - Edith Knight (Kenya)

They are:

• Eliza Mabungu (South Africa/Mozambique) for ‘A Breath of Fresh Air.’

• Maryhilda Ibe (Nigeria) for ‘Fragments.’

• Scholar V Akinyi (Kenya) for ‘The Red Affair.’

• Abah Linus Ajene (Nigeria) for ‘Favour’s Favours.’

• Chibuike Ogbonnaya (Nigeria) for ‘A Tempered Destiny.’

• Farrah Bhajee (Kenya) for 6 ‘Flavours of Breast.’

• Edoizem Miracle (Nigeria) for ‘Me in the Mirror.’

• Esther Enewerome (Nigeria) for ‘Resonance.’

• Grace Ojogbane David (Nigeria) for ‘Death is An Innocent Girl.’

• Jude Imereti (Nigeria) for ‘The Sad Suffering Smiling Spouse.’

Poetry

"The criteria for the selection include:

– works that followed submission guidelines of providing a bio and an accompanying picture of poet

– works graded on evocativeness such as use of imagery, use of figure of speech, “Africanness” in words used and context, concise word usage (some works were prose in verse), rhythm, etc

– some male poets were not selected due to the poet personae they used. For a topic as sensitive as gender and in particular, the girl child, the male author cannot be seen as telling the girl child story but rather amplifying it by playing a supportive role or educating other men as to their responsibilities." – Kolabomi Adeko (Nigeria)

The shortlists are:

• Petronella Nyirenda (Zambia) for ‘Beauty.’

• Oscar Sogli (Ghana) for ‘Dowry of Education.’

• Chiamaka Pamela Ofoma (Nigeria) for ‘Reachout.’

• Kofi Acquah (Ghana) for ‘Young and Green.’

• Joseph Olamide Babalola (Nigeria) for ‘Penned.’

• Abeiku Arhin Tsiwah (Ghana) for ‘Sometimes Being Beautiful [a Girl] is the Only Way to Escape Fire.’

• Adedokun Amar-Sobur (Nigeria) for ‘Cornrows.’

• Bijou Mwaura (Mauritius) for ‘Know Your Worth Girl Child.’

• Chiamaka Onu-Okpara (Nigeria) for ‘A Battle Cry to be Read Loudly and Softly.’

• Jesutoni Akoni (Nigeria) for ‘Obinrin.’

According to Anthony Onugba, the winners will be announced during the 2018 African Writers Dinner/Awards which will hold at the International Conference Centre, Abuja at 5:30 PM, where the winners will also receive their awards during the event.

Nine poets from Africa have been shortlisted for the sixth edition of the Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature in Africa which will be awarded at the MUSON Centre, Onikan in Lagos on December 9 2018.

This edition of the rotating Pan-African prize is for poetry and had 110 submissions from 11 countries on the continent, including Uganda, Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria and Rwanda.

The long-listed writers and their works are: Dami Ajayi- Clinical Blues, Servio Gbadamosi- A Tributary in Servitude, Tanure Ojaide- Songs of Myself, Harriet Anena- A Nation in Labour, Iquo Eke- Symphony of Becoming, Hyinus Ekwuazi- One Day, I'll Dare to Raise My Middle Finger at the Stark and the Reaper, Su’eddie Vershima Agema- Home Equals Holes: Tale of An Exile, Abayomi Animashaun- Sailing for Ithaca and Onesi Taiwo Dominic- Heaven on Earth: A Harvest of Poems.

A joint release by The Lumina Foundation and from its administrators of the Prize: Founding Director, Dr. Ogochockwu Promise and the Development Advisor, Mr. Ivor Agyeman-Duah, said the quality and volume of entries received were very high and expressed appreciation to the eminent jury of three for their readings and selections.

The jury was chaired by the UK-based literary and Editorial Director, Margaret Busby OBE, who is also chair emeritus of the Soroptimist International of Leeds, previously chair of the Caine Prize for African Writing and the OCM Bocas Prize for Caribbean Literature.

The other two were the renowned historian of the University of Texas at Austin, Professor Toyin Falola, author of the celebrated A Month Sweeter than Salt and the Lagos-based international literary scholar, Olu Obafemi, Professor of English and Dramatic Literature.

The prize money of $10,000 and citation will be given to the eventual winner by the Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka.

The ceremony will be attended by the literary establishment in Nigeria, some writers’ associations in Africa and the United Kingdom.

Previous winners of the prize have included novelists Sefi Atta for Everything Will Come, the South African Sifiso Mzobe for Young Blood which won over another South African short-listed book the same year, The Unseen Leopard by Bridget Pitt.

The short-list of three will be announced at a press conference in Victoria Island, Lagos on November 21, 2018 and the winner will be declared on December 9, 2018.

The November edition of Writers Space Africa (WSA) is now available for free download.

Published by the African Writers Development Trust, Writers Space Africa (WSA) is a literary magazine which celebrates African Writers. 

This 23rd Issue, with the theme 'Tears of the African Child', which Sandra Unlimited covers, features the following writers:

Muyambo Mwenda, Zambia

Refiloe Thato, Motswana

Brian Ngoma, Zambia

Mylord Zulu,Zambia

Benny Wanjohi - Kenya

Tshiamiso Makole – Motswana

Muhammed Tambedou. (Hamlet kid), The Gambia.

Ridwan Adelaja, Somaliland

Nnane Ntube, Cameroon

Petronella Nyirenda, Zambia

Cynthia Katlego Matale, Motswana

Omadang Yowasi, Uganda

Sinaso Mxakaza, South Africa

Olofinnika Omobolaji, Nigeria

Namara Lwansa, Tanzania

Lisa Ndobho, Tanzania

Kelvin J. Shachile, Kenya

Robert Banda Jere, Zambia

Mbianyor Bill- Erich Nkongho Agboryah, Cameroon

Nonhlanhla Radebe, South Africa

Abu Blessing Nne, Nigeria

Meaza Aklilu Hadera, Ethiopia

Muthoni Nyaga, Kenya

To download this issue, CLICK HERE.

Meanwhile, the shortlist for the 2018 African Writers Award will be announced next week.

In a mail to The Words Finesse, there were free entries on Children's Literature category.

"... there were fewer entries under the Children's Literature category. This is not far from the truth that there are few writers of children's stories in Africa." The statement submitted.

Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Kwara State chapter on Wednesday, the 17th of October, 2018, organised a Special Reading session in honour of late Justice Mustapha Adebayo Akanbi in recognition of his invaluable contributions to scholarship and literary development in the country.

The Association also dedicated an anthology to late Akanbi, who was also a writer and poet in his own rights during his life time.

Speaking during the event held at African People's Hall, Onikanga, G. R. A, Ilorin, the ANA state Chairman, Malam AbdulRahman Aderinoye said the production of anthology in the name of Justice Akanbi was borne out of the former President of the Court of Appeal’s tremendious support to the Association when he was alive.

Malam Aderinoye explained that late Honourable Justice Akanbi was a strong pillar of support for ANA as he did everything humanly possible to promote reading culture through personal donations and self production of literary works.

He eulogised Justice Akanbi’s other related support and assistance for the growth and development of literary works and reading culture in the society.

Speaking on behalf of Akanbi’s family, Professor Muhammed Mustapha Akanbi expressed delight over the recognition and commended ANA for keeping the memory of their father, late Justice Akanbi, alive.

Professor Akanbi who doubles as Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), said the reading session in honour of his father was very apt and worthwhile, adding that the event was a continuation of his father’s dreams in ensuring that all Nigerian children are well educated.

“I feel highly delighted because this is the way of putting the memory of our late father in front burner. While he was alive, he believed in scholarship and for ANA to organise this reading session, it is a continuation of dreams he had to ensure that as many as Nigerian youth are educated.” Professor Akanbi said.

Also speaking, Dean of the Faculty of Law, Professor A.T. Shehu, who represented the Vice Chancellor of Al-Hikmah University at the occasion said late Justice Akanbi lived a life of integrity that worth celebrating. 

"Baba was one of the greatest man I have met on earth. He lived a life of integrity and up to today we are celebrating him."

"Nobody will lay hands on justice Akanbi's judgement and will say it's a trash and lacks honesty and integrity he lived and preached." He said.

Professor Shehu thanked the organiser for organizing such gathering in the late Wakili Ilory's honour.

Other dignitaries like Chairman, Mustapha Akanbi Foundation, Dr Mashood; and Chief Librarian, National Library, Ilorin Branch, Mrs Olani in their good will messages lauded great contributions of the late legal icon in promoting reading, writing and listening skills as well as good reading culture. 

They also outlined his various landmark achievements in the cause of adding values to lives and serving the humanity.

Anchored by the Kwara ANA Secretary, Mr Babayemi Opeyemi, the session witnessed reading from the late legal luminary's works and poetry presentations by members of the Association as well as from the students of the Secondary schools present. 

Kwara ANA members such as Col. Oladele Babajamu (rtd.), Mr Iyanda Suleiman Ayinde, Mr Mubarak Oladosu, Mrs Betty Ige, Mr Braimoh Abdulrasak, Mr Saliu Ahmad Toyin, Mr Sheriff Olanrewaju, and Mr Abdulhafeez T. Oyewole made beautiful reading from the late jurist's works and rendered poems in his honour, while some students from the invited schools like Kamaldeen Muhsinat (from Nana Aishat Academy) and Abubakar Ola-AbdulHamid (Army Day Secondary School) equally perfomed their beautiful poems in honour of the late judge.

The students of the represented secondary schools across Kwara state were in turn left with so much of good lessons, virtues and wisdom to tap from the reading session, as they listened to the remarks of members of the high table on the life and time of the first Wakili of Ilorin, Honourable Justice Mustapha Akanbi, CFR, PCA (rtd.).