By Yemi Adebisi, Acting Head, Literary/Arts
As part of activities to celebrate his 80th birthday of the first African Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, three Nigerian writers have been shortlisted for the 5th edition of the Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature in Africa.
These include the former chairman, Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Oyo State chapter, Akin Bello, Egbon of Lagos; Othuke Onuniabohs, author of Odufa; and Toyin Abiodun, The Trials of Afonja.
Declaring this Thursday June 19, Founder of Lumina Foundation, Dr. Promise Ogochukwu, said a total of 163 entries were received in this edition from 17 countries in Africa out of which 128 came from Nigeria.
The Prize was established by the Lumina Foundation in 2005 as a biennial award for the best literary work produced by an African and is intended to serve as an African equivalent of the Nobel Prize, particularly in recognising and encouraging professional and personal excellence.
A trophy is awarded to the prize winner, and it is a machete handle with a pen as its blade, resting on a scroll.
Since 2012, the vision has been sponsored by Second National Carrier, Globacom Telecommunication firm.
Head, Corporate, Sales unit of Globacom, Kamar Sonibare, said there is seed of greatness in every African and that with the vision of the prize, more Nobel laureates would emerge in future.
This edition appears to be more significant as it marks the 80th birthday of the great legend.
Meanwhile, the final winner would be declared on Saturday July 5, at Civic Centre, Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, Lagos.
The first four editions were awarded across varieties of genre, including published prose, drama, poetry and essay on political and human rights abuse.
The committee however decided henceforth to focus on specific genre and agreed to start with drama in this edition.
Past winners include Nigerian SefiAttah with Everything Good will Come (2006); Nnedi Okoroafor, also from Nigeria, with Zara the Windseeker (2008); Kopalno Maltwa from South Africa and Wale Okediran, from Nigeria in 2010 with Coconut and Tenants of the House respectively.
The 2012 edition was won by Sifiso Mzobe from South Africa with Young Blood.
Chairman of Lumina Foundation, Mrs. Francesca Y. Emmanuel, said the goals of the prize include propagation of dynamics of self enhancement; celebration of excellence, patriotism, integrity, heroism, intellectualism and selfless service epitomised by the man, Wole Soyinka, among others.
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