Simeon Mpamugoh
If you are interested in entering for the 2019 Nigeria Prize for Literature, Literary Criticism Prize and the Nigeria for Science, you have until April 5, 2019, to submit your entries. The Advisory Boards for the three prizes, sponsored by Nigeria LNG (NLNG) Limited, have published the Call for Entries for the 2019 edition of the prizes.
The Literature and Science prizes, now in their 15th year, each comes with a cash prize of $100, 000 while the Literary Criticism Prize has a prize money of N1 million. While the Science Prize, which recognises outstanding scientific achievements by Nigerians and non-Nigerians, will this year focus on Climate Change: Erosion, Drought and Desertification, the Literature Prize will focus on Children’s Literature.
The prize, which honours the author of the best book by a Nigerian, rotates among four literary genres –Prose Fiction, Poetry, Drama and Children’s Literature. The Literary Criticism Prize will receive entries on works in literary criticism of Nigerian Literature, especially critical essays on new writings in Nigerian Literature.
The Call for Entries for the Literature Prize and Literary Criticism opened on February 15, 2019, and will close on April 5, 2019. On the other hand, entries for the Science Prize will close on May 3, 2019.
Professor Obododinma Oha, a poet, editor and a translator, is a professor of Semiotics, Stylistics, and Creative Writing at the Department of English, University of Ibadan, will chair the panel of judges for this year’s Literature and the Literary Criticism competitions.
Other members of the panel include Professor Asabe Usman Kabir, a professor of Oral and African Literature at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, and Dr. Patrick Okolo, a senior lecturer at the University of Lagos Nigeria, specialising in African Postcolonial Literature, Gender and Cultural Studies.
The winners of the Literature and Literary Criticism prizes will be announced at an award ceremony in October 2019, to commemorate the anniversary of the first LNG export from the NLNG’s Plant on same date in 1999. The Science Prize winner, as usual, will be revealed earlier in the year.
Three winners emerged in the prize categories in 2018. They were Soji Cole who clinched the Literature Prize award with his play, Embers, Dr. Peter Ngene was awarded the Science Prize, for his work in “Innovation in Electric Power”, and Professor Isidore Diala, a professor of African Literature at Imo State University, Owerri, who took home the Literary Criticism Prize.
The Nigeria Prize for Literature has rewarded eminent writers such as the late Ikeogu Oke (2017, Poetry) with The Heresiad, Abubakar Adam Ibrahim (2016, Prose) with Season of Crimson Blossoms; Sam Ukala (2014; Drama) with Iredi War; Tade Ipadeola (2013; Poetry) with his collection of poems, Sahara Testaments; Chika Unigwe (2012, Prose), with her novel, On Black Sister’s Street; as well as Adeleke Adeyemi (2011, children’s literature) with his book, Missing Clock.
Other awardees are Esiaba Irobi (2010, drama), who clinched the prize posthumously with Cemetery Road; Kaine Agary (2008, prose) with Yellow Yellow; Mabel Segun (co-winner, 2007, children’s literature) for her collection of short plays, Reader’s Theatre; Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo (co-winner, 2007, children’s literature) My Cousin Sammy; Ahmed Yerima (2006, drama) for his classic, Hard Ground; and Gabriel Okara (co-winner, 2005, poetry) for his book Chants of a Minstrel and Professor Ezenwa Ohaeto (co-winner, 2005, poetry) for his book The Dreamer: His Vision.
Past winners of The Nigeria Prize for Science are Ikeoluwapo Ajayi, Ayodele Jegede, Bidemi Yusuf, Olugbenga Mokuolu and Chukwuma Agubata (2017), Professor Akii Ibhadode (2010); the late Professor Andrew Nok (2009); Dr. Ebenezer Meshida (2008); Professor Michael Adikwu (2006); and joint winners Professor Akpoveta Susu and his then doctoral student, Kingsley Abhulimen (2004).
The Nigeria Prize for Literature and The Nigeria Prize for Science are part of Nigeria LNG Limited’s numerous contributions towards building a better Nigeria.
