AWF hosts Eunice Atuejide,Bob Arnot

The Guest Writer Session of October 26, an initiative of the Abuja Writers Forum, will feature Eunice Atuejide and Bob Arnot at Rosebud Hotel and Suites (former Nanet Suites), from 4-7pm and is open to the public.

*Bob Arnot

Eunice Atuejide, founder of National Interest Party (NIP) and Deputy Secretary General of the Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), will read from her book, THE GIRL WHO SAID, I CAN. The book chronicles her early days in the slums of Iwaya, her tumultuous relationships, her sojourn through Europe and America, and the journey to Nigerian politics to contest as a presidential candidate.

Eunice studied Agricultural Economics at the University of Ibadan, in Oyo State; Business Administration in Germany, French, German and Spanish languages in different countries in Europe; Film Making, Acting and Communication skills in the USA, the GDL, LLB, LPC and LLM in the UK and completed the compulsory training at the Nigerian Law School to enrol as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. She is also a Solicitor of England and Wales, an International Arbitrator, and a management consultant.

Eunice is passionate about Nigeria and Nigerians and her unwavering faith inspired the formation of the National Interest Party (NIP). She believes firmly that a government of good leaders is the surest way out of the abyss Nigeria has been in since its inception.

A polyglot, Eunice is fluent in Igbo, Yoruba, German and English languages. She has a working knowledge of French and is currently learning Hausa and Spanish languages. She has visited, lived and worked in at least 76 countries and over 130 across the globe. She holds a black-belt in Taekwondo and continues to train to keep fit.

For over 25 years Bob Arnot taught economics and political economy in the university sector in the UK. He was the Head of Department of Economics at Glasgow Caledonian University and is currently a Visiting Professor at the Caledonian Business School. For two years he worked in the former Soviet Union on a UK government financed economic development project and whilst in Russia was appointed as Visiting Professor at two Russian university institutions.

Since 2004 he has been living in Nigeria and working on UK government (DFID) financed development projects in the justice sector. He was the National Programme Manager for the Security Justice and Growth (SJG) Programme and subsequently fulfilled the same role on the successor Justice for All (J4A) programme.

Since 2017 , Dr Arnot has been the Portfolio Lead for Security Justice and Conflict for the British Council in sub-Saharan Africa. He is also the Programme Director for three EU financed programmes, valued at over €60 million, being delivered by the British Council in Nigeria: the Managing Conflict in Nigeria (MCN) programme; Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC); and Agents for Citizen-driven Transformation (ACT).

Arnot, who will talk about the five books that have impacted on his life, lives in Abuja with his wife Patience, who is an indigene of Edo State, and their two children Lara and Okalo.

The Guest Writer Session is a lively and unique fusion of readings, live music, a Q and A segment and a raffle-draw for books. The Abuja Writer’s Forum also runs a weekly Critique Session and a regular Creative Writing Workshop series.

Amarachi Mba Kalu is Abuja writers' guest speaker for May edition

The May 25 edition of Abuja Writer’s Forum flagship event, the Guest Writer Session will feature Amarachi Mba Kalu at Rosebud Suites (former Nanet Suites) from 4- 7pm.

Mrs Kalu will read from her sophomore novel, Scarred Roses , which centres around thirty-seven year-old, Ezichi. All her close female friends have supposedly found their charming partners and seem to have settled-down. It is not all smooth sailing and their not too pleasant experiences become a problem for her when she finds a man who is ready and willing to marry her.

Mrs Kalu holds a B.A(ED) Honors in Government from Abia State University, and is an executive board member of Noble Heritage Schools.

She had started off wanting to be a broadcaster, inspired by the likes of Ruth Benamaisia Opia, Sienne Allwell Brown and other NTA broadcasters in the 80’s. However, she has found writing a more suitable form of expression particularly through romantic fiction, and enjoys travelling and learning new cultures which form part of her writing inspiration. Her first novel was SECRETS.

Two prominent administrators would also talk about the books that have impacted on their lives thus far, during the “Take Five” segment of the event.

The Guest Writer Session apart from the reading and “Take Five” segments, features live music and a raffle-draw for books, and is open to the public.

The Abuja Writer’s Forum also runs a weekly Critique Session where writers peer review works in progress and a regular Creative Writing Workshop series.

Abuja guest writer session features Anima Aboje, Elsie Oghenekaro

Two female writers, Amina Aboje and Elsie Oghenekaro, will take centre stage at the February 24, Guest Writer Session at Aso Hall, Nanet Suites, Abuja by 4pm. The monthly event, an intervention by the Abuja Writers Forum (AWF) which features readings, a Q and A session, live music and a raffle –draw for books is open to the public.

Born in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, Amina Aboje had her primary education in the beautiful city of Buguma, one of the many towns in the Kalabari Kingdom. She holds a first degree in Biochemistry and is currently running a post-graduate course at the Nasarawa State University, Keffi. Her interest in writing was birthed when she discovered the delight of reading as a little girl. Ms Aboje expresses herself in both poetry and prose.

Her short stories have featured in some online literary journals like Dugwe and Lunaris Review. Her poems and short stories have severally topped the Abuja Writers Forum Writing Challenge series. In 2016, she won the Mandela Day Poetry Prize. She’s also the third place winner (in the poetry category) of the maiden edition of the Communicators League writing contest.

Aboje is one among several featured in the soon to be published Best New African Poets 2017 Anthology. She is the author of Promises on Sand, a collection of poems focused on the many intricacies of life and the disturbing issue of corruption in politics.

Ms Aboje who is an independent editor, also finds pleasure in teaching poetry. She works and lives in Abuja, Nigeria.

Elsie Dennis Oghenekaro started her journey into writing in the very early nineties when she worked as a reporter for newspapers and magazines, including Abuja's first newspaper, Abuja Newsday.

She later veered off into diplomatic circles as Liaison Officer for the International Committed of the Red Cross (ICRC). Some of her duties in the Red Cross required her to use her writing skills for various high level reports. Leaving the Red Cross, she worked with the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) and several other organizations.

She has run her own travel business as well as other businesses. After a ten year absence from Abuja with her family, she finally came back to the city she considers home in 2012 and has since focused on her writing and literary consulting.

Under the nom -de -plum Elsie O. Dennis, she has written several books for young children as well as several novels and inspirational books. She runs a small reading NGO for urban ghettos and trains young people on how to live a more meaningful life. Her latest book is God Is Not Here.

Mrs Oghenekaro is passionate about the Nigeria project and speaks in issues concerning the girl child, women empowerment and the Nigeria of her dream. A mother of five children,her hobbies include travelling, cooking, reading, and is currently working on her MBA. She is a craftsman of the Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild USA, and considers writing as her life's purpose.

AWF hosts Okino, Olaniyan and Okwoche

Zainab Suleiman-Okino

Olumide Olaniyan 

Sidney Okwoche, 

Zainab Suleiman-Okino, Olumide Olaniyan and Sidney Okwoche, will headline the October 28 edition of the Guest Writer Session, a monthly initiative of the Abuja Writers’ Forum(AWF), which holds by 4pm at the Aso Hall of Nanet Suites, Ekiti House, Abuja.

Hajiya Zainab is often described as “a consummate journalist, a skilful reporter, an excellent editor, a patient mentor, a benevolent but firm leader of people, and a bridge builder in every sense of the phrase.”

After a bachelor’s degree in English and History from Bayero University Kano, journalism came calling and she could not resist. Thus she learned the ropes and diligently rose through the ranks as a reporter, staff writer, production editor, editor and managing editor at various newspaper organisations including Today, Citizen, Media Trust, Leadership and the Sun Newspapers where she did a stint as Editor-at –Large.

In 2011, Hajiya Zainab became part of the start-up team of the Abuja –based Blueprint Newspaper where she is currently the Editor –in-Chief . Despite the enormous demands of the job and sustaining a family, she studied for a master's in International Affairs and Diplomacy at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

A renowned and profuse political columnist whose succinct articles can be easily found online, she also did a stint as Commissioner for Information in Kogi State under Governor Idris Wada’s administration. Drawing from her rich academic and journalistic background, Hajiya Zanab will give a talk on the “challenge of newspaper publishing in Northern Nigeria, the social media and creating space for literature”.

Olumide Olaniyan is an author, satirist and public speaker. Born in Lagos state, he currently lives and works in Abuja as a development specialist with focus on strengthening democratic governance and supporting improved service delivery in fragile and hard-to-reach communities across Nigeria.

Olaniyan holds a first degree in Political Science from the University of Lagos and a Masters Degree in Gender and Peace Building from the United Nations-mandated University for Peace, San Jose, Costa Rica. His debut collection of poems, Lucidity of Absurdity, was published in March 2017.

He started his writing career as a teenager. Between 1987 and the early 1990s, several of his short stories were featured in such publications as the Lagos Weekend, HINTS magazine and The Twenty Nigerian Writers Portraits, an anthology of the Lagos state chapter of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA). An active member of the Abuja Writers’ Forum (AWF), one of Olaniyan’s poems, Behind Closed Doors, clinched the first prize in the maiden edition of the Communicators League Creative Writing Contest, 2017. His poem, One Sojourn of the Moon, also received an honorary mention in the Mandela Day Poetry Competition in 2016.

His debut poetry collection, Lucidity of Absurdity, was listed amongst the 5 hot books released in 2017, according to the Daily Trust Newspaper. The anthology, which contains sixty poems, narrates the human struggle for existence and progress. It focuses on issues of power relations, environmental degradation, human differences and everyday trials that have rooted individuals and societies to their varying human conditions.

Olaniyan is currently working on two new books: an anthology of poems and a non-fiction novella (co-authored with Olamide Olaniyan, his eight-year old daughter popularly called Ereke). Both books are expected to be out by mid-2018.

He is married to Patricia Ogechi Olaniyan and their union is blessed with children.

Sidney Okwoche popularly known as “SIDROCK’’ is a dynamic rock musician, guitarist, songwriter and environmentalist from Benue State.

He is a graduate of Forestry from the Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi, and the founder of the green movement called Conservation Conversation. Sidrock is passionately committed to promoting conservation and environmental sustainability through music and creative arts, with the artistically rated debut Album titled “HOPE DEY” solely dedicated to environmental issues.

He has performed in several national and International conferences, seminars, symposia, youth campaigns across the country and beyond in bringing to light his message of hope through lyrics calling for sustainable interaction with natural resources.

The Guest Writer Session which also features a raffle-draw for books, runs from 4-7pm and is open to the public. The Abuja Writer’s Forum also runs a weekly Critique Session and a regular Creative Writing Workshop Series.

Cultural Heritage Revival: Benin Monarch To Open Academy Of Art

The Benin Monarch, Oba Ewuare ll, has announced plans to set up an academy of art, aimed at reviving the Benin cultural heritage and tourism.

Ewuare ll, who made the announcement Monday night, when he played host to some various theatre troupes in his palace in Benin, said works were near completion at the site of the academy which would be named Benin Royal Academy of Performing Art.

Apart from learning various Benin cultural heritage, which he said was in systematic decay, the monarch disclosed that the academy would also teach Benin proverbs and interpretations of its traditional heritage in rhythms and arts.

He stressed further that the academy would also serve as learning center to all categories of persons, especially the young who were almost veering from the traditional norms of the society.

While reaffirming palace’s support for the use of Benin language for learning at various categories of schools, he announced that reputable individuals who were well grounded in Benin history, culture and heritage would serve as tutors in the proposed academy.

He added that the refurbishment of Oba Akenzua Cultural Centre to an international standard would rake in more revenue for the state government, adding that the palace authority was collaborating with well meaning individuals and stakeholders to project Benin art and culture to the rest of the world.

*PM News 

9mobile Photography Competition Kicks-off with Call for Entries

Photography enthusiasts in the country have another opportunity to showcase their talent and skills as Nigeria’s most innovative and youth-friendly telecommunication company, 9mobile, has announced the commencement of 9mobile Photography Competition with the call for entries.

Submission of entries for the competition opens from August 7 to September 11, 2017.

Formerly known as the Etisalat Photography Competition and now 9mobile Photography Competition, the annual competition is a platform that seeks to discover, reward and empower budding photographers to fulfill their passion and capture compelling images that celebrates the Nigerian heritage.

Speaking about the competition, Director, Brands and Experience, 9mobile, Elvis Ogiemwanye, said the photography competition further underlines the company’s continued commitment to talent development and the growth of Nigeria’s creative industry. He encouraged Nigerians with a passion for photography to enter for the competition by visiting photo.9mobile.com.ng

“In the past nine years, 9mobile has consistently been at the forefront of promoting talent and creative development among the youth across different sectors such as education, art, literature, science, sports and entertainment amongst others. In line with our key objective of business continuity, 9mobile will continue to support these creative platforms and even make them better”, he declared.

Entries close September 11, after which voting will commence September 22 from the ‘Top 100’ as selected by the Judges to close September 29. The picture with the highest number of votes will be announced October 2 and unveiled as winner, Voters choice.

A jury comprising of eminent persons will select the final top 3, and thereafter announce the winner and two runners-up will be awarded prizes in October, in Lagos.

Celebrating 10 Kings: Ona Onibode of Igboho endorses Alesh Akeem

Alesh Akeem  and Ona Onibode of Igboho

Nigeria’s leading pencil Artist, Alesh Akeem has received an endorsement on his “Celebrating 10 Kings” project from His Royal Majesty, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Adetoyese Anikulapo Jaiyeola, the Ona Onibode of Igboho land, Oyo state, Nigeria.

Alesh Akeem recently received Oba Abdul-Rasheed’s endorsement in Oyo state while on tour visiting African Palaces on his project which aims at Celebrating 10 Kings with outstanding excellence in Africa.

The popular monarch while endorsing the Ace Pencil Artist disclosed that he is always delighted to see young minds make giant strides by showcasing Nigeria’s God-given talent to the world adding that the #Celebrating10Kings idea is an awesome one.

He added saying “Alesh Akeem, I love him, he’s my son from Iseyin in Oyo city here, you’re welcome”.

Oba Abdul-Rasheed Anikulapo Jaiyeola however advised Nigerian youths to be steadfast in their endeavors as only their gifts can make room for them at the top and make the sit in high places.

Etisalat Prize for Literature rebrands to 9mobile Prize for Literature …entries open till September 18

Following the successful launch of its new brand identity, Nigeria’s most innovative telecommunications company, 9mobile, has equally changed the name of its pan-African literary prize to 9mobile Prize for Literature.

The management of the company affirms that the Prize will continue to underscore the unwavering commitment of the brand to the discovery and nurturing of talent.

According to the Chief Executive Officer, 9mobile, Boye Olusanya, “9mobile, is proud to be at the forefront of promoting creativity and innovation among Nigerians and will continue to support the discovery and growth of home grown talents by creating platforms that help African writers to tell authentic African stories”,

The company revealed that the call for entries for the 2018 edition of the Prize which was announced on July 3, 2017 remains open till September 18, 2017, after which the Judging Panel will screen the submitted entries to select the books that will make the longlist. The entries on the long list will go through a second round of screening in the selection process, and then the judges will announce a shortlist of three finalists ahead of the grand finale/award ceremony in 2018.

The judges for the 2018 edition are: Harry Garuba (Chair), Doreen Baingana and Siphiwo Mahala.

To meet the entry criteria, books submitted must have been published 24 months prior to the date of the call for entries. Such books should contain no fewer than 30,000 words and must be the author’s first published fiction book. The author must be an African citizen, but may reside anywhere in the world.

Furthermore, all entries must be submitted by incorporated publishing houses that have existed for three years or more, with registered ISBN or the equivalent, and the publishers must have published a minimum of three authors. A publisher may enter a maximum of three titles. Seven copies of each title entered must accompany the application form, along with an acceptance of the publicity terms of the Prize.

For more information, interested parties can visit the website literature.9mobile.com.ng or @9mobilereads on Twitter and Facebook.

9mobile Prize for Literature is the first pan-African literary prize that celebrates debut African writers of published fiction. The winner receives £15,000, an engraved Montblanc Meisterstück pen, and a 9mobile-sponsored fellowship at the University of East Anglia, where he or she will be mentored by Professor Giles Foden, author of The Last King of Scotland‘.

The winner and the two runners-up also participate in a multi-city book tour sponsored by 9mobile. 9mobile purchases 1,000 copies of each of the shortlisted titles for distribution to schools, libraries and book clubs across the African continent.

Alongside the 9mobile Prize for Literature is the Flash Fiction Award, an online-based competition open to all African writers of unpublished short stories of no more than 300 words. The winner of the Flash Fiction Award receives £1,000 and a high-end device, while the two runners-up for the Flash Fiction Award receive £500 each in addition to high-end devices.

The 2017 edition of the prestigious literary prize concluded on May 20, 2017 with an award ceremony in Lagos, where Nigerian writer, Jowhor Ile, emerged winner for his debut novel, And After Many Days. Ile is the first Nigerian to win the Prize which launched in 2013.

Breaking: Ifowodo, Ikeogu, Verissimo others make NLNG longlist

*Ogaga Ifowodo 

Lawyer and NDDC commissioner, Ogaga Ifowodo , former NEXT writer, Ikeogu Oke, and PR maven, Jumoke Verissimo are among the 11 poets in contention for the $100,000 NLNG sponsored literature prize.

The long list was announced on Saturday, July 22,  by the NLNG via an email to sabinews.com.

A short list of 3 will be announced in September. This year’s prize is for poetry in keeping with the 4 yearly rotation amongst the genres.

The full statement reads:

The Advisory Board for The Nigeria Prize for Literature, led by Emeritus Professor Ayo Banjo has announced an initial shortlist of eleven books, drawn from 184 entries, in the running for the 2017 edition of the competition.

The shortlisted authors listed in alphabetical order are as follows:

Akinlabi, Peter​​​-​Iconography

Ekwuazi, Hyginus​​​-​One Day I’ll Dare to Raise My Middle

​​​​​​Finger at the Stork and the Reaper

Gomba, Obari​​​-​For Every Homeland

Ifowodo, Ogaga​​​-​A Good Mourning

Lari-Williams, Seun​​- ​Garri for Breakfast

Ogu, Humphrey​​​-​Echoes of Neglect

Ojaide, Tanure​​​-​Songs of Myself: Quartet

Oke, Ikeogu​​​-​The Heresiad

Othman, Abubakar​​-​Blood Streams in the Desert

Verissimo, Jumoke​​-​The Birth of Illusion

Yeibo, Ebi​​​​-​Of Waters and the Wild

The list is a potpourri of long-standing poets. Peter Akinalabi is a Masters Degree holder and a Poet Activist. His poem, Moving, won the Sentinel Literary Quarterly Poetry Competition. Hyginus Ekwuazi is from the academia and a professor of media arts. He was Director General, Nigeria Film Corporation and currently acts as judge in several awards and festivals.

Obari Gomba is both poet and playwright. He currently teaches in the Department of English Studies at the University of Port Harcourt while Ogaga Ifowodo is a diasporan who teaches poetry and literature at Texas State University-San Marcos in the United States.

Seun Lari-Williams is a poet, musician and a practicing lawyer. Humphrey Ogu on the other hand is an Information Officer at University of Port Harcourt. He was a former Acting Secretary of the Rivers State branch of ANA (Association of Nigerian Authors) and a pioneer secretary and co-founder of SeaView Poetry Society.

Tanure Ojaide is regarded as a socio-political and ecocritical poet and has won major national and international poetry awards, including the Commonwealth Poetry Prize for the Africa Region, the Association of Nigerian Authors’ Poetry Prize, among others.

Ikeogu Oke is a social commentator, media and communications expert, and publisher. He is currently the Media Adviser to the Chairman, Presidential Task Force on Power (PTFP). Dr Abubakar Othman, on the other hand, is a lecturer of Department of English at the University of Maiduguri. He was previously the commissioner for Information in Adamawa State and Director General and founder of the Adamawa State Agency for Museums and Monuments.

Jumoke Verissimo is a familiar name in the literary world and prolific is several genres. She is a multiple award winner and her poems have been translated into Italian, Norwegian, French, Japanese, Chinese, and Macedonian. Ebi Yeibo, an English Language scholar and social critic, is currently with the Department of English, Niger Delta University, Bayelsa State.

The list was presented by the panel of judges for this year’s prize led by the chairperson, Prof. Ernest Emenyonu, professor of Africana Studies at the University of Michigan-Flint, USA. Other members of the panel include Dr Razinat Mohammed, associate professor of Literature at the University of Maiduguri and Tade Ipadeola, poet, lawyer and winner of The Nigeria Prize for Literature, 2013.

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).

As in previous years, the contest for Africa’s most prestigious literature prize will be keenly contested.

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 and Seasons of Crimson Blossom, Abubakar Adam Ibrahim (2016, prose).

Etisalat Prize for Literature announces 2018 Call for Entries …bolsters prize with new judges

Nigerian writer, Jowhor Ile

Following the successful completion of the fourth edition of its flagship pan-African literary prize, Nigeria’s most innovative telecommunications company, Etisalat, has announced a call for entries for the 2018 Etisalat Prize for Literature. The opening date for the submissions is 3rd July 2017 and the closing deadline is 18th September 2017.

The Etisalat Prize for Literature is the first pan-African literary prize that celebrates African writers of a debut published book of fiction.

The recently concluded Etisalat Prize for Literature award ceremony was held on 20 May 2017 in Lagos, where Jowhor Ile emerged the winner for his debut novel, And After Many Days. Jowhor is the first Nigerian to win the Prize, which was launched in 2013. Past winners include the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Fiston Mwanza Mujila (2015), South Africa’s Songeziwe Mahlangu (2014) and Zimbabwe’s NoViolet Bulawayo (2013).

Chief Executive Officer of Etisalat Nigeria, Matthew Willsher, said the company was delighted to flag off the fifth year of the Etisalat Prize for Literature, which has become a leading platform for the discovery and promotion of African literary talent.

“We are glad to announce the call for entries that marks the beginning of the submission and selection process for the 2018 Etisalat Prize. It underlines our firm commitment to and continued support for the development of African literature,” he said.

He disclosed that the new panel of judges will comprise: Harry Garuba (chair), Doreen Baingana and Siphiwo Mahala.

Willsher added, “Over the years, we have seen the Etisalat Prize for Literature impact on the African literary space by encouraging creative writers and publishers to help tell compelling stories about the African continent, and it is our conviction that the judging panel - made up of very experienced writers, academics, literary critics and editors - will be devoted to upholding the legacy and reputation of the Prize.”

Willsher also recognized the patrons as custodians and advocates who ensure that the key values of creativity, quality, excellence and integrity continue to be the hallmarks of the Etisalat Prize for Literature. The distinguished patrons of the Etisalat Prize are: Ama Ata Aidoo, Dele Olojede, Ellah Wakatama Allfrey OBE, Margaret Busby OBE, Sarah Ladipo Manyika and Zakes Mda.

The judging panel will initially select a longlist of nine titles, and following a second round of screening will announce a shortlist of three finalists, ahead of the 2018 grand finale/award ceremony.

Outlining the criteria for entry, Willsher said that books submitted must have been published in the previous 24 months from the date of the call for entries. Such books should contain no fewer than 30,000 words and must be the author’s first published fiction book. The author must be an African citizen, but may reside anywhere in the world.

Furthermore, all entries must be submitted by incorporated publishing houses that have existed for six years or more, with registered ISBN or the equivalent, and the publishers must have published a minimum of three authors. A publisher may enter a maximum of three titles. Seven copies of each title entered must accompany the application form, along with an acceptance of the publicity terms of the Etisalat Prize http://prize.etisalat.com.ng/terms.php .

The winner receives £15,000, an engraved Montblanc Meisterstück pen, and an Etisalat-sponsored fellowship at the University of East Anglia, where he or she will be mentored by Professor Giles Foden, author of The Last King of Scotland'. The winner and the two runners-up also participate in a multi-city book tour sponsored by Etisalat. Etisalat purchases 1,000 copies of each of the shortlisted titles for distribution to schools, libraries and book clubs across the African continent.

Alongside the Prize for Literature is the Flash Fiction Award, an online-based competition open to all African writers of unpublished short stories of no more than 300 words. The winner of the Flash Fiction Award receives £1,000 and a high-end device, while the two runners-up for the Flash Fiction Award receive £500 each in addition to high-end devices.

An evening of literary flavours

One immediate reaction summed up the Guest Writer Session of June 24 at the Aso Hall of Nanet Suites. In the words of Francisca Shekwoaga, " it was an amazing evening".

Indeed from the opening chords of the first musical interlude, and the presentation on Contemporary Ecuadorean Literature by Ambassador Leopoldo Verdesoto, it was obvious this was going to be an evening of delighful literary flavours.

Zaynab Alkali added much flavour talking through aspects of her new novel INVISIBLE BORDERS, while Edith Yassin read a short story, "When I Liked Soccer " by Raul Perez Torres, the Ecuadorean Minister for Culture.

Then there was the raffle draw for books and the cutting of the AWF 9th Anniversary.

Not to forget the four awards given to Zaynab Alkali (Certifiucate of Excellence), Leopoldo Verdesoto (Appreciation), Emeka Oparah (Excellence) and Dave Adzer (Appreciation).

And then the icing on the cake, as the Ambassador announced that the Embassy would sponsor a collection of short stories featuring Nigerian and Ecuadorian writers, to be co-edited by Zaynab Alkali and Ric Segreda.

Event over and people were still milling around as though to rewind and do it all over again. That would have to be on July 29, when the next Guest Writer Session holds. See you then.

Words: Emman Usman Shehu

Leila Aboulela to headline inaugural KABAFEST

World-famous Sudanese writer, Leila Aboulela will be joined by established and rising cultural stars such as Zainab Alkali, Jerry Buhari, Kaltume B Gana, Abubakar Adam Ibrahim, Aisha Umar, Toni Kan, Titilope Sonuga Edify Yakusak, Efe Paul Azino, Aminu Alan Waka, Hafsat Ahmad Abdulwaheed, Andrew Walker, Carmen McCain, Ibrahim Bello-Kano at the inaugural edition of the Kaduna Book & Arts Festival (KABAFEST) which will take place on 5-8 July 2017 at the Gusau Institute, Kaduna State.

In line with Kaduna State’s restoration programme and its commitment to the promotion of literacy, the State Government has partnered with the Book Buzz Foundation and the Gusau Institute, to organize a world class event which will feature; 5 booklogues with 9 authors, 9 panel discussions, 2 film screenings, an art exhibition with four Northern Nigerian artists, Food-

tasting, and a magical poetry performance.

School children are not left out of the programme of events; they will take part in the poetry declamation contest for secondary schools. Students attending tertiary institutions in Kaduna State who register before 5 July can attend for free. They can also apply online for a N10,000 book grant. For the duration of the festival, there will be a fantastic bookstore on-site which will offer a wide range of books at a special festival discount rate.

KABAFEST is a unique event that will celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Northern Nigeria, harness the passion of local creatives and bring together some of the finest contemporary writers, artists, filmmakers, poets and thinkers to Kaduna. According to Lola Shoneyin, the Creative Director of the KABAFEST, “We aim to create new and exciting opportunities for social and cultural interaction, the celebration and promotion of creatives in the Northern region of Nigeria and foster tolerance and understanding through dialogue about books, culture, the Arts and society.”

A portrait gift for RRS Commander

The Commander of Lagos state Rapid Response Squad, RRS, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu has received hyper-realistic penciled portrait from Nigeria’s leading Pencil Artist, Alesh Akeem.

The Celebrity artist presented the artistic piece to the astute Police Officer in commendation for the RRS swift response to situations, and solution to security challenges in Lagos State.

The RRS Commander in a short remark while expressing his gratitude for the artistic piece said, “I feel happy when people honour the members of the Nigerian Police Force, it means they appreciate the entire Police Force and what we do; and when people appreciate us, we feel loved and encouraged even to do more. Our duty is to serve and protect.”

While ACP Olatunji Disu also commented on Alesh Akeem’s work, he recalled how he used to be a fantastic artist back in secondary school but his teacher discouraged him.

“I used to draw in secondary school you know and I was pretty good at it, but then I got discouraged by my teacher when he told me being an artist won’t amount to anything tangible in future.” He disclosed.

So now it gives me joy when I see the wonders young people like Alesh Akeem can do with art.” He added.

ACP Olatunji Disu however expressed his gratitude to his family for ‘donating’ him into the Nigeria Police Force and encouraged Nigerians to love and support policemen as well as see them as friends in the society rather than enemies.

Enugu hosts Chukwumereije's performance poetry

Lovers of arts and entertainment across the South East are warming up with anticipation as Nigeria's foremost performance poet who is also winner of the Abuja Literary Society Poetry Slam 2011 and the National Poetry Slam 2012 , Chukwumereije Dike, makes a stop-over in Enugu on March 25 at the Oakland Centre with his Made-in-Nigeria, a stage poetry production.

"It is a great joy for us in the South East to know that Chukwumerije Dike is coming and he is bringing his very famous "Made-in-Nigeria" poetry show to Enugu and the South East in general for the first time," Mr. Ken Ike Okere, South East Zonal Director of Radio Nigeria said.

The popular 2-hour poetry show which tells Nigeria's history over the last 120 years was last performed in February 2017 at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja after previous showings in Lagos in December 2016 and at Merit House, Abuja in September 2016.

"Performance poetry is like the fuel that is driving poetry appreciation in Nigeria at the moment. We believe that Dike is an ambassador of ours and we believe that his show is great, creative, compelling and highly recommended for everyone. I will really encourage everyone to get ready and get set and be ready to come out that day and come and have fun, come and learn and come and see to what length creativity can go," Okere added.

"Gradually, we are plugging performance poetry into mainstream pop culture. Infusing drama and dance in story form has made poetry less abstract and more attractive and enjoyable to the audience," Dike Chukwumerije, the brain behind the show told journalists recently.

"We are not stopping at Enugu. Once we are done there, the tour continues to Kaduna later in the year. Our choice of these locations is predicated on the fact that they were all capitals of different regions of Nigeria at some point in our history and played prominent roles in our journey to nationhood. We are also hard at work packaging an international show. Hopefully that should happen before the end of the year," he added.