NLNG prize records increase in drama entries
The race for this year’s Nigeria Prize for Literature, sponsored by Nigeria LNG Limited(NLNG) has recorded a remarkable 61 per cent increase in entries for drama with 143 entries as against 89 received in 2018.
This was made known at a ceremony in Lagos where the entries were handed over to judges for the commencement of adjudication.
NLNG, represented by its General Manager for External Relations and Sustainable Development, Mr Andy Odeh, handed over the entries to the Chair of the Prize’s Advisory Board, Prof. Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, who, in turn, handed them the entries to the judges.
The Prize rotates yearly among four literary categories: prose fiction, poetry, drama and children’s literature. The entrants will compete for a top prize of $100,000.
The Advisory Board also handed over 13 entries for The Nigeria Prize for Literary Criticism.
The panel of judges for this year’s Literature and the Literary Criticism contests are chaired by Prof. Ameh Dennis Akoh, a Professor of Drama and Critical Theory at the Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ebonyi State.
Other members include Prof. Osita Catherine Ezenwanebe and Dr Rasheedah Liman. Ezenwanebe is a professor of Creative Arts at the University of Lagos. Liman is a Senior lecturer, Department of Theatre and Performing Arts, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria. Prof. Victor K. Yankah from the Department of Theatre and Film Studies, the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, serves as the International Consultant for the edition.
Speaking on the entries, Mr. Odeh said: ”The Prize serves as a stimulus for Nigerian writers to strive for excellence, and we are proud to see an increase in entries this year for drama. We believe that through this prize, we are promoting Nigerian literature and encouraging the growth of the literary industry in the country. We are confident that the judges and Advisory Board will do due diligence to produce a verdict based on merit and excellence, and we hope to see a worthy winner of the Prize at the end of the cycle. The Nigeria Prize for Literature, the Nigeria Prize for Literary Criticism, and the Nigeria Prize for Science – being the only platform for information regarding the prizes, winners, and the adjudication process.’’
Adimora-Ezeigbo emphasised the importance of literature in driving development in Nigeria. She said: “Literature is a powerful tool that can drive development in our society. As we begin the adjudication process for this year’s Nigeria Prize for Literature, I urge the judges to use this opportunity to elevate literature and bring it to the forefront of the development discourse in Nigeria. The entries we have received are a testament to the vibrant literary scene in the country, and we hope to see a winner that truly represents the best of Nigerian literature.”
The event also had other members of the Advisory Board, Prof. Olu Obafemi and Prof. Ahmed Yerima, including the Acting Manager, Corporate Communications & Public Affairs (NLNG), Yemi Adeyemi; prize’s Chairman, Prof Akoh and other judges, Prof. Ezenwanebe and Dr Liman.
