By Zika Bobby

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Etisalat Nigeria, has announced the names of the three shortlisted authors for the 2016 edition of its pan-African flagship literary prize, the Etisalat Prize for Literature.
The three shortlisted books are: Jacqui L’Ange (South Africa) The Seed Thief  (Umuzi Publishers, South Africa) Jowhor Ile (Nigeria) And After Many Days (Kachifo Limited, Nigeria) Julie Iromuanya (Nigeria) Mr & Mrs Doctor (Coffee House Press, USA).
The authors were shortlisted by a three-member panel which comprised Nigerian novelist and poet, Helon Habila (chair of judges); South African writer/activist, Elinor Sisulu and Ivorian writer and Africa39 laureate, Edwige Renée Dro.  The winner would be unveiled in Lagos in March 2017.
Chief Executive Officer of Etisalat Nigeria, Matthew Willsher, commended the judges for their diligence in selecting the top three books out of the tens of titles that were received following the call for entry.
Willsher reiterated Etisalat’s commitment to continuously impact on the lives of Nigerians and, indeed, Africans by offering innovative products and services and a platform that enables them express their passion and creativity.
“At Etisalat, we have found the nexus between innovation and creativity. This is why we give people the opportunity to express their individuality and ingenuity so they can be the best in whatever they choose to do,” he said.
He said the winner gets £15,000, an engraved Montblanc Meisterstück pen, an Etisalat sponsored book tour to three African countries as well an Etisalat sponsored fellowship at the University of East Anglia, mentored by Professor Giles Foden, author of The Last King of Scotland.
“In addition, all the shortlisted writers will also enjoy a sponsored multi-city book tour while Etisalat will also purchase 1,000 copies of their books for distribution to schools, libraries and book clubs across Africa with the objective of promoting reading culture and the publishing industry at large,” he said.
The past winners of the prize included Fiston Mwanza Mujila from The Democratic Republic of Congo, South African novelist Songeziwe Mahlangu and Zimbabwean writer NoViolet Bulawayo.