UNIZIK, UNILORIN, UNIBADAN STUDENTS EMERGE AS TOP-3 WINNERS OF THE CHRISTOPHER OKIGBO POETRY PRIZE

Three university students have, on Thursday 16th January, emerged top-3 in the Christopher Okigbo Poetry Prize which was held at the Faculty of Arts Quadrangle, University of Ibadan.

The contest involved poetry performances from 10 contestants who had earlier been shortlisted as finalists amongst other entrants across various higher institutions in Nigeria.

Onyekwelu Chiwenite Kingsley from Nnamdi Azikiwe University came first with his poem ‘The Origin of Wings’; Adewara Joses from University of Ilorin came second with his poem ‘Before I Bow’; and Seyi Emmanuel from University of Ibadan came third with his poem ‘Tango’.

Other shortlisted contestants included Kevin Onuegbu from University of Ibadan, Ayobami Oluwatosin Joseph from University of Ibadan, Kolawole Joseph Ayodeji from Adekunle Ajasin University, Dare Tunmise from University of Ibadan, Korede Omolola from University of Ibadan, Muhammed Sulaimon Abiodun from University of Ibadan and Aliu Oluwasegun Moshood from University of Ibadan.

Entries for the prize were first judged by the award-winning poet and cultural enthusiast, Rasaq Malik Gbolahan, who drew up the shortlist.

The panel of judges for the grand finale however constituted Nduibuisi Martins, poet and Creative Writing lecturer at University of Ibadan; Servio Gbadamosi, award-winning poet and publisher at Noirledge Limited; and Hanson Utigbe, poet and literary enthusiast.

Each of the three winners went home with a cash prize, a plaque and a certificate, while other shortlisted contestants also got a certificate each.

The president of the Okigbo Poetry Club, Uthman Yusuff, while giving comments about the contest, noted that the prize was meant to further encourage creativity in the country.

‘The Okigbo Poetry Club is actually a club under NASELS UI (National Association of Students of English and Literary Studies, University of Ibadan).

‘The prize has however been instituted over the years to help foster more and more creativity amongst the teeming youth population. The contest takes into account both the written and performance aspects of poetry.

‘This club has felt the footprints and support of many great poets and scholars alike. We hope to keep the flames of creativity and development burning. The club is very much open for sponsorship from well-meaning individuals.’