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124 Writers Eye U.S.$100,000 Literature Prize(AllAfrica Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) The Nigeria Prize for Literature is getting bigger. This year, 124 entries were handed over to the sponsor, Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited at a formal ceremony held at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island on Tuesday April 15. One winner is expected to emerge who will claim a whopping sum of $100,000. The Literature prize, which is in its eleventh year, is NLNG's corporate social responsibility initiative towards rewarding excellence and celebrating outstanding works of literature. The prize is awarded annually, alternating amongst the four literary genres namely prose (fiction), poetry, drama and children's literature. The 2014 prize will reward a work of drama. The panel of judges, chaired by Prof. Charity Angya of Benue State University, received the entries that were handed over by the advisory board for literature. The panel is rich with erudite scholars with strong background in drama, theatre and performing arts. They include the playwright and past winner of the 2006 Nigeria Prize for Literature, Prof. Ahmed Yerima and a professor of Performing Arts, University of Ilorin, Prof. Nasir Akanji. Also on board to serve as an international consultant on the panel is Prof. Sirayi, a playwright and Dean, Faculty of Arts, Tshwane University of Technology, South-Africa. While pointing out the criteria employed in judging the winner, Prof. Ayo Banjo stressed the importance of ensuring that the entry meets all the requirements. One is that the work must be well-produced since it is to be presented to an international audience. In addition, the work must not be later than four years. Also, and perhaps most crucial, the writer must demonstrate, through the work, his mastery over the language. The winning work must be free of grammatical errors and must measure up to the literary standards that are used universally in assessing works of literature. He recalled that in 2009, no entry met the criteria and when it was declared, the public received the news in shock. Therefore, in their bid to show receptiveness to the criticisms pouring in, the organisers broadened the scope of entries, allowing Nigerian writers, who reside in other countries, the opportunity of participating. To the excitement of Nigerian scholars, the award for literary criticism was introduced in 2012. Sadly, there has been no winner since its inception but this year, five entries had been received. The winner stands the chance of winning N1 million Prof. Ayo Banjo observed that many who judge African works are often foreigners. Thus, the prize will encourage more critical works from Nigerians on contemporary Nigerian literature. To qualify, he said that entries must have been published in a reputable international literary journal. In their response to the call for consolation prizes, the advisory board members said that the quest for money is not what drives a writer and that instituting any consolation prize will only shift the focus of the prize from rewarding outstanding works to just remunerating writers. Last year, the Ibadan-based legal practitioner and poet, Tade Ipadeola won the prize and had since become one of Nigeria's literary exports to countries of the world where he has been reading his works. Copyright This Day. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). |