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ABUJA, Nigeria /
NEXT.com / National News / October 12, 2009
There is no winner for premier literary prize
By Akintayo Abodunrin
Out of 161 entries, no winner emerged for the 2009 NLNG Literature Prize at the Grand Awards Night held on Saturday evening in Abuja. There were gasps of shock and surprise as it was declared that none of the works merits the award.
The common man as star: It wasn’t a total loss for literature, however, as Chima Ibeneche stated that the prize money of $50,000 will be given to the Nigerian Academy of Letters to develop literature in Nigeria. He said the organisers are committed to maintaining absolute standards for the award.
Mr. Ibeneche reiterated the prizes promote literature, to give writers who have more or less operated at the margins of our society, the pleasure to sit with full merit amongst the business and political elite and be able to spread their fragrance of joy and wisdom in this struggling nation of ours”. He added: “I have yet another reason for this big party. To have an event where politicians are spectators, and the ordinary person, the star!”
You are failures: In an extemporaneous keynote he delivered, sitting obviously because of old age (he was assisted to the stage by an aide),
Emeka Odimegwu Ojukwu, former Biafran leader, underscored the importance of cooperation and unity.
He commended the cooperation between the NLNG and Nigeria. Partnering with another person doesn’t change one’s status as the owner.
Mr. Ojukwu also alluded to the crisis in the country’s educational sector. “Don’t ever allow our educational institutions to drop behind. You can’t tell me you love Nigeria when the universities are shut down for months. My friends are ministers but I say to you, you failed on this one,” he said, adding that a good Nigerian is an educated Nigerian. “He knows the country, its history and what links its people together. Open the door (of your brain) wide and let knowledge fill it”. On unity, Ojukwu said: “Ethnic jingoism is a thing of the past. We are Nigerians. Nothing more. Work hard, be true to your neighbour.” [
rc]
Abridged version of news report
© 2009 234next.com. Timbuktu media
Photos courtesy: Sun News Publishing
The common man as star: It wasn’t a total loss for literature, however, as Chima Ibeneche stated that the prize money of $50,000 will be given to the Nigerian Academy of Letters to develop literature in Nigeria. He said the organisers are committed to maintaining absolute standards for the award.
Mr. Ibeneche reiterated the prizes promote literature, to give writers who have more or less operated at the margins of our society, the pleasure to sit with full merit amongst the business and political elite and be able to spread their fragrance of joy and wisdom in this struggling nation of ours”. He added: “I have yet another reason for this big party. To have an event where politicians are spectators, and the ordinary person, the star!”
You are failures: In an extemporaneous keynote he delivered, sitting obviously because of old age (he was assisted to the stage by an aide), Emeka Odimegwu Ojukwu, former Biafran leader, underscored the importance of cooperation and unity.
He commended the cooperation between the NLNG and Nigeria. Partnering with another person doesn’t change one’s status as the owner.
Mr. Ojukwu also alluded to the crisis in the country’s educational sector. “Don’t ever allow our educational institutions to drop behind. You can’t tell me you love Nigeria when the universities are shut down for months. My friends are ministers but I say to you, you failed on this one,” he said, adding that a good Nigerian is an educated Nigerian. “He knows the country, its history and what links its people together. Open the door (of your brain) wide and let knowledge fill it”. On unity, Ojukwu said: “Ethnic jingoism is a thing of the past. We are Nigerians. Nothing more. Work hard, be true to your neighbour.” [rc]
Abridged version of news report
© 2009 234next.com. Timbuktu media
Photos courtesy: Sun News Publishing
