UI STUDENTS OUTSHINE OTHERS IN GBEMISOLA ADEOTI INTER-VARSITY PRIZE FOR POETRY

Ola Afolashade

The grand finale of the Gbemisola Adeoti’s poetry contest finally held at the Obafemi Awolowo University on the 15th of December 2018.

As an intellective initiative organised by Association of Nigerian Authors(ANA) , the body had set out to bring into limelight creative poets all across Nigeria tertiary institutions in a contest to portray this year theme tagged:The exploration of the African (Nigerian) identity and consciousness through the lens of poetry.

With hundreds of entries submitted and scrutinized by a panel of judges, the winners were selected and awarded with cash prizes.

The winners include: Dayo Babatunde, a 200l student of the Department of English(UI) coming in the third place; Daniel Whyte, a 300l student of English at the Federal University of Oye Ekiti in second place and Yusuff Uthman Adekola, a 300l student of English(UI) emerging as the winner.

The young winner said, as he stated his gratitude and his intention to remain committed to the course:

“I’m elated, actually. No doubt about that. However, I know for sure that I’m not necessarily the best amongst either all the entrants or the shortlisted contestants. The judges have only chosen, and I simply feel encouraged.

This moistens my ears with whispers of increased commitment, gently nudging me on as I carefully make sure not to derail. I owe this to all who have in one way or the other encouraged me whether through criticisms which nurture the craft or through advice and show of love. Thanks to Prof Gbemisola Adeoti as well as ANA, OAU.”