Ekwuazi, Akubuiro, Olatunbosun, Chiazor-Enenmor, others make literature prize longlist 2024
By Ediitor
SOME familiar names in the prize’s history including for drama, poetry and cchildren’s literature, the year’s genre in contention, made it to the longlist. Journalist Henry Akubuiro, academics Uchechukwu Peter Umezurike, Jumoke Verissimo and Olatunbosun taofeek, Familoni Olubunmi, and publisher Ndidi Chiazor-Enenmor have been longlist for The Nigeria Prize for Literature 2024, sponsored by Nigeria LNG Ltd. Chairperson of the prize’s Advisory Board, Prof. Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo made the announcement on the prize’s verified social media handles via a video chat yesterday.
The 11 longlisted books were selected from 163 entries. They include A Father’s Pride by Ndidi Chiazor-Enenmor, Bode’s Birthday Party by Akanni Festus Olaniyi, Grandma and the Moon’s Hidden Secret by Jumoke Verissimo, Mighty Mite and Golden Jewel by Henry Akubuiro, and Risi Recycle – The Dustbin Girl by Temiloluwa Adeshina. The others are The Children at the IDP Camp by Olatunbosun Taofeek, The Magic Jalabiya by Ayo Oyeku, The Road Does Not End by Familoni Oluranti Olubunmi, The Third Side of a Coin by Hyginus Ekwuazi, Village Boy by Anietie Usen and Wish Maker by Uchechukwu Peter Umezurike.
A shortlist of three is expected in September and a winner announced in October. Boom Boom by Jude Idada won the children’s prize in 2019. Associate Dean of Humanities at the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) Dr. Obari Gomba won The Nigeria Prize for Literature 2023 with his drama book, Grit. Gomba won on his fifth attempt. The Nigeria Prize for Literature is the biggest literary prize award in Africa with a total prize money of USD$100,000 for the winner.
