There’s a shift in opportunities for writing, publication, film happening – Africa is at the centre of it, says Gbemi Shasore

* South Sudanese Arthur Gabriel Yak wins Quramo Writers Prize 2024 as 8th Qfest ends
By Godwin Okondo
THE 8th edition of Quramo Festival of Words ended on Sunday, October 06, 2024 on a high note, with the Convener and CEO Quramo Publishers, Mrs. Gbemi Shasore stating how much ground the festival covered with its encompassing theme. She eemphasised the opportunities available for African creatives to own their narratives in a global landscape that is constantly shifting with innovations and new models, which the festival captured in its many panel sessions, workshops and book chats.
“This eighth edition themed ‘The Shifting: Empowering Voices… Inspiring Minds’ has done a lot to encourage an expansive discourse about our creative industry that is evolving dynamically on a local, continental, and global scale,” Shasore said in her remarks to bring the festival to a close. “We have offered panel discussions, book chats, poetry performances, and film screenings curated to inspire resilience and regeneration.
“There is a shifting in opportunities for written publication, film, and in every other way we tell our unique stories. The shifting is happening and Africa is at the centre of it. Where are our new African writers and readers? Where is the growth of our publishers, literary agents, book distributors, and bookstores? Where are our African online vendors? This is a supply chain that will enthrone Africa as an ever-authentic hub of unique stories and storytelling.
“We urge our community and beyond to continue to support the production chain of how arts and stories are created, recorded, distributed, and consumed. We urge them to accept the shifting landscape and leverage its many opportunities for positive change.”
Meanwhile, emerging South Sudanese writer Arthur Gabriel Yak has won this year’s edition of Quramo Writers Prize with his manuscript entitled Whispers of Survival, worth N1 million plus publishing contract. The head of jury Dr. Eghosa Imasuen said of Yak’s manuscript, “takes us into the life of Anyang, a young girl navigating the brutal realities of a refugee camp. Amidst violence and exploitation, Anyang’s resilience shines as she faces her abusive brother Ayok and the manipulative camp politics. This manuscript offers a haunting yet powerful portrayal of survival, sacrifice, and human dignity in the face of war’s scars, showcasing emotional complexity and narrative strength.”
Other members of QWP’s jury include literary scholar and advocate for emerging voices Mrs. Lechi Eke and seasoned journalist and writer Mr. Anote Ajeluorou.
Imasuen explained that each manuscript was “scrutinized against five key criteria: originality, narrative strength, coherence, language, and dramatic intensity. But beyond these formal categories, we also considered a sixth and perhaps most important criterion—each manuscript’s overall impact on us as readers. These works showcase the immense talent and creativity within contemporary African writing. From deeply personal narratives about familial bonds and betrayal to stories of survival against unimaginable odds, each piece carries a distinct voice that speaks to the core of the human experience. The writers have displayed exceptional mastery of character development, emotional depth, and storytelling, making this year’s shortlist a collection brimming with promise.

Winner of Quramo Writers Prize 2024, Arthur Gabriel Yak
The Worst Nightmare by Chukwuma Jonathan was first runner-up while Rajah and Eva by Abiodun Selome Medemaku came third.
“As we conclude this remarkable journey through the shortlisted manuscripts, I am deeply moved by the diversity and depth of the stories brought to life,” said Imasuen in conclusion. “Each manuscript resonated with a unique authenticity and intensity that speaks to the future of African literature. These works, though in their early stages, hold the potential to become timeless, reflecting the resilience and richness of the human spirit. The talent we’ve seen ensures that the future of African storytelling is in capable hands. I eagerly await what these writers will create next.”
There were other prize winners before the curtain fell on Qfest 2024. At the QShorts Community Film Screening, Moses Ipadeola’s film Ekun Iyawo was adjudged Top Short Film; he went home with N100,000. Also, Saheed Sunday went home with N100,000 for Qfest Poetry Word Slam. A student of Vivian Fowler College Azima Davis also won the QCommand Challenge for Young Readers contest.
Furthermore, Shasore shared with her audience the festival’s historical trajectory from a conference event that metamorphosed into feast of words nestled by the Atlantic Ocean where the Eko Hotel venue sits on.
“I am humbled, excited, and a little saddened to make these closing remarks to what has been a thoroughly exciting QFest, which I am sure you all have enjoyed as much as I have. Every year, we have gathered here in Lagos for the QFest, as we have been doing now for eight years and counting, to celebrate African literature, arts, and creativity.
“Our festival history dates back to the ‘Kuramo Conference’—that is, Kuramo with a ‘K’—which was first hosted 15 years ago in 2009 and was dedicated mainly to development themes. We have sustained that tradition and first hosted it as Quramo Festival of Words in December 2017. Since then, there have been successive editions of the festival, including a virtual edition in 2020 due to restrictions necessitated by the Covid-19 pandemic.”
She further expounded on the aptness of this year’s edition as captured in its theme and how it has expanded the discourse on words as presented on two major creative expressions as literature and film in invaluable panel discussions and hands-on workshops.
According to Shasore, “This eighth edition themed ‘The Shifting: Empowering Voices… Inspiring Minds’ has done a lot to encourage an expansive discourse about our creative industry that is evolving dynamically on a local, continental, and global scale. We have offered panel discussions, book chats, poetry performances, and film screenings curated to inspire resilience and regeneration.
“There is a shifting in opportunities for written publication, film, and in every other way we tell our unique stories. The shifting is happening and Africa is at the centre of it. Where are our new African writers and readers? Where is the growth of our publishers, literary agents, book distributors, and bookstores? Where are our African online vendors? This is a supply chain that will enthrone Africa as an ever-authentic hub of unique stories and storytelling.
“We urge our community and beyond to continue to support the production chain of how arts and stories are created, recorded, distributed, and consumed. We urge them to accept the shifting landscape and leverage its many opportunities for positive change.”
Shasore also spoke about the celebratory part of QFest 2024 that focused on the renowned Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka, who had two films on him shown during the festival.
“This year, we celebrated one of our giants in Nigerian and World literature, Professor Wole Soyinka, with the screening of The Man Died which based on his remarkable memoir, and Ebrohimie Road, a riveting documentary on his fractious relationship with the University of Ibadan in the 1960s,” she said. “The documentary is named after the location of Professor Soyinka’s residence at the University of Ibadan campus, and the interesting serendipity is that this name also commemorated a remarkable but painful point in our national history. Ebrohimie, in Nigeria’s Delta, was where the colonial authorities waged a punitive invasion against Chief Nanna of Itsekiri in 1894. The Ebrohimie Invasion was a punishment to Nanna for defying the authorities on behalf of his people; the metaphor should not be lost on any of us.
“These initiatives show that Quramo has gone full circle to our roots 15 years ago: development. We remain committed to developing minds and people, and building strong and healthy communities.”

Mrs. Aduke Gomez (left); winner of QFest Poetry Slam, Saheed Sunday and QFest Convener and CEO, Quramo Publishers, Mrs. Gbemi Shasore
Filmmaker Mr. Femi Odugbemi commended QFest Convener Shasore “for organizing such a magnificent celebration of storytelling, creativity, and cultural exchange. The past few days have been nothing short of enlightening, and I’m sure you’ll agree that QFest has once again proven itself as a platform not only for showcasing exceptional talent but also for sparking meaningful conversations about the future.”
Odugbemi remarked on the aptness of this year’s theme, ‘The Shifting – empowering voices…inspiring minds,’ noting how much it “resonates deeply” as a “reflection of the times we are living in—a call to action, reminding us that we are in constant motion. As creatives, we are always shifting our perspectives, our understanding of the world, and the stories we choose to tell. In these moments of change, we find opportunities to redefine our identities, challenge old paradigms, and contribute to the evolving narrative of Africa’s place in the world.”
Odugbemi harped on the power of storytelling as a tool for social change in reordering society from the brink that it so often veers by acts of political impunity. He noted that it’s through the power of storytelling that society could regain itself from chaos by changing mindsets and ways of being.
“Beyond its power to entertain, storytelling has always been a profound tool for social change. Stories have the ability to expose injustices, challenge systems of oppression, and inspire collective action. Through storytelling, we can give voice to the marginalized, highlight issues that need addressing, and spark dialogue that leads to reform. In our continent, where we are continually seeking ways to empower communities and foster development, storytelling can be a catalyst for transformation.
“It is through our stories that we can inspire movements, influence mindsets, and build a more just and equitable society. Over these past few days, QFest has also reinforced the importance of storytelling as a tool for connection. Stories transcend borders and break down barriers; they are the ultimate expression of our shared humanity. Quramo’s vision for this festival was to create a space where African storytellers could come together, share their work, and amplify their voices. Today, QFest has grown beyond a literary festival. It is a vital part of our cultural landscape—a celebration of African creativity across literature, film, music, and visual art.”