The National Library of Nigeria has called for entries for the 2022 edition of its children literature prizes for interested writers from Northern, Eastern and western Nigeria.
The three prizes —The Nnamdi Azikiwe Prize for Children’s Literature in Eastern Nigeria, named after one of Nigeria’s founding fathers; the Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Children’s Literature in Western Nigeria, named after the nationalist; The Prime Minister Prize for Literature in Northern Nigeria, named after Nigeria’s first prime Minister — are open to “culturally relevant children’s literature/fictional works and discover, recognise and celebrate excellent children’s fiction which promote an enduring reading habit among children in Nigeria,” said the organisers in its call for entries.
Each prize, which is awarded annually, is judged by a panel of seasoned children’s literature experts, critics and academics who are immersed in children’s literature studies.
A collaboration with Alphabetics, a seasoned convener of World Book Day, the winning entry in each category will be published by Alphabetics. Contests are open to any one above 16 years. All submissions must be original and unpublished. In addition, manuscripts are considered for entry but not one under contract with any publisher.
The stories to be submitted are strictly children’s stories of between 1000 and 2000 words meant for children’s audience between 6 and 10 years.
To guide the writer’s entry, the organisers have specified the following themes: protection of human environment, insecurity, futuristic thinking peace, longevity, girl child education, science and technology, covod-19, children’s experiences in the lock down, kidnapping, child abuse, child labour, scientific innovation, and agriculture.
Writers are also cautioned to avoid harmful, defamatory or discriminatory contents or “contents deemed explicit or gratuitously violent or referencing self harm”.
All entries must be submitted via email to [email protected] and [email protected]. An entry fee of 20,000 is required per entry and should be paid via a direct deposit to Alphabetics account number with Zenith Bank: 1013842294. A photocopy of the payment slip should be sent to the prize coordinator: 08039393445. Deadline for entries is Friday, December 30th, 2022. The announcement/celebration of the winners is slated for Monday, January 30, 2023, at the National Library of Nigeria, Abuja, headquarters.