Longlist for Nigerian Students Poetry Prize, 2020 Announced
The organisers of the Nigerian Students Poetry Prize (NSPP), Poets in Nigeria (PIN) has announced the names of poets and their poems that survived the longlist of the 2020 prize.
The prize which was instituted in 2016 aims at stimulating literary creativity among undergraduates in Nigeria. It has since then received over 3000 submissions from over 100 institutions.
Recall that a week ago, the top 60 entries of this year’s from 540 submissions were announced. They have been further reviewed by the judges – Dr. Amanze Akpuda, Dr. Santosh Bakaya, Gbenga Adeoba and Naseeba Babale – and shortened to 20.
According to the Moderator of the prize, Kolawole Olanrewaju Freedom, a shortlist of ten poems will be announced on the 8th of August, 2020. While the prize winners, that is the top three entries, will be revealed by mid-August.
The winning entrant goes home with ₦250,000, while their first runner up ₦150,000 and the second runner up, ₦100,000.
₦25,000 will also be given each to the 4th and 5th best entrants as consolation prizes.
Below are the poets and their poems:
JUVENILE | Oladapo Raheem Olawale (Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife)
WALLS | Ozota Gerald Obinna (University of Nigeria, Nsukka)
WE BEAR SADNESS IN OUR NAME | Biachi Ndidi Anointing (Benue State University, Makurdi)
ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WALL | Ndipmong-uwem Dickson Isaiah (University of Uyo, Uyo)
MY TRUTH | Temiloluwa Okanmiyo Oluyemi (Bowen University, Iwo)
FAULT LINES | Bello Abdulmajeed Mohammed (Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria)
MAMA’S TEARS | Gimbiya Galadima (University of Benin, Benin City)
TRAPPED BIRDS | Udeoba Ebubechukwu Ifenna (Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli)
PURE BLISS | Muhammed Sulaimon Abiodun (University of Ibadan, Ibadan)
NONSO | Samson Abanni (Ebonyi State University Abakaliki)
LETTER TO A TERRORIST | Omiyale Babatunde Yusuf (University of Ilorin, Ilorin)
DO NOT CRY | Ike Hillary Chichebem (University of Nigeria, Nsukka)
A POEM WHERE HOME BEGS FOR PEACE | Uchechukwu Ezenwa-Ohaeto (Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka)
HOW TO PAINT A BOY | Joseph Peter Akpan (University of Uyo, Uyo)
HOME | Theophilus Femi Alawonde (University of Ibadan, Ibadan)
A HYMN FOR THE LOST AND EMPTY | Praise Osawaru (University of Benin, Benin City)
SCARRED NOW HURTING | Oluwakemi Osinimu Kayode (Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria)
IKOGOSI: A BLESSING OF NATURE | Ogunjemilua Peace Adewole (Federal University of Technology, Akure)
LEAVE MY HOME! | Faith Modupeoluwa Onasanya (University of Ibadan, Ibadan)
THE HOUSE THAT BUILT ME | Okwubi Godwin Adah (University of Benin, Benin City)
Watch video of the announcement here.
Congrats and best wishes to them all.
