As Shortlist of 3 Books is Expected

By Kelvin Kagbare

In furtherance of its Social Corporate Responsibility, CSR, and in commitment to the development of the Nigerian society,  the Advisory Board for the Nigeria Prize for Literature has unveiled the longlist of 11 books competing for the 2024 prize.

Selected from a total of 163 entries; this year’s focus is on Children’s Literature.

At a public ceremony held in Lagos on April 18, 2024,  NLNG’s  General Manager for External Relations and Sustainable Development, Mr. Andy Odeh, handed over the 2024 entries to the Chair of the Prize’s Advisory Board, Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, who, in turn, handed over the entries to the judges.

Now in its 20th year, the prize offers a mouth watering cash award of $100,000.

from the 163 entries for the 2024 prize, the 11 longlisted books, as released by the Advisory Board are alphabetically arranged thus:

1. A Father’s Pride by Ndidi Chiazor-Enenmo
2. Bode’s Birthday Party by Akanni Festus Olaniyi
3. Grandma And The Moon’s Hidden Secret by Jumoke Verissimo
4. Mighty Mite And Golden Jewel by Henry Akubuiro
5. Risi Recycle – The Dustbin Girl by Temiloluwa Adeshina
6. The Children At The IDP Camp by Olatunbosun Taofeek
7. The Magic Jalabiya by Ayo Adeliyi Oyeku
8. The Road Does Not End by Familoni Oluranti Olubunmi
9. The Third Side of A Coin by Hyginus Ekwuazi
10. Village Boy by Anietie Usen
11. Wish Maker by Uchechukwu Peter Umezurike

The Chairman of the Panel of Judges, Professor Saleh Abdu of the Federal University of Kashere, Gombe State, presented the list to the Advisory Board.

The panel also included Professor Vicky Sylvester and Dr. Osarobu Igudia, who their report, described the longlisted books as entries with profound narratives and the authors’ creative prowess, highlighting the vividness of the characters and stories.

Receiving the longlist, Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, Chairman of the Advisory Board,  commended the judges for their meticulous selection.

She emphasised the importance of Children’s Literature in shaping young minds and stressed the need for quality and relevance in the literature that children are exposed to. She noted that the subject matter in Children’s Literature must resonate with the future.

According to the GM, External Relations and Sustainable Development  Mr. Andy Odeh,  “The Nigeria Prize for Literature rotates yearly amongst four literary categories – prose fiction, poetry, drama, and children’s literature. A shortlist of three is expected in September. A winner, if any, will be announced by the Advisory Board in October” he said’