Eko Hot Blog reports that Obari Gomba, an Associate Dean of Humanities at the University of Port Harcourt, has won the $100,000 Nigerian Prize for Literature 2023 sponsored by Nigeria NLNG.
He emerged from 145 entries, 11 Longlist and later Three Shortlist, beating two other playwrights in a fiercely contested finals at Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos, on October13, 2023.
The Grand award Night was an eventful evening of culture, music, dance, poetry performances at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, as book lovers, family members of shortlisted poets, friends and winners of Science and Literary Criticism converged on Eko Hotel and Suites Victoria Island, Lagos, for The Nigeria Prize for Literature award ceremony themed: Redefinition.
The other finalists for the 2023 edition of the Prize are: The Ojuelegba Crossroads by Abideen Abolaji Ojomu and Yamtarawala – The Warrior King by Henry Akubuiro.
Gomba has emerged winner after five attempts at the prize, across three 11 Longlists and two Three Shortlists.
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In his acceptance speech he commended the NLNG for the prize platform, which he said has positively impacted Nigerian literature and creative industry at large, while commending other two contestants, who he described as winners too.
Apart from the highly coveted Nigerian Prize for Literature, the NLNG also announced Eyoh Etim, a lecturer at Akwa Ibom State University, as winner of Literary Criticism Prize. Eyoh takes home $10, 000 for his literary prowess at the contest.
As well, Hippolite Amadi, a professor of Medical Engineering & Technology, Imperial College London, won the 2023 Nigerian Prize for Science.
NLNG’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Philip Mshelbila, in his opening remark shared the essence of the Prize award synonymous to science and Literature in regards to the theme of Redefinition. He also commended the Shortlisted dramatists and judges for coming so far.
“When we look at the world today, it is changing as we have never seen before. Re-definition being an art or process of causing people to look at things in a certain way can be done using technology. As part of efforts to reach our redefinition to make our nation great. The notion of time and space is central to re-definition as there is utmost urgency to safeguard life on earth.
The time to act is now and all must unilaterally defend the world. “The Nigerian Prize for Science and Literature are all re-definition for excellence where we seek innovation. I commend all three shortlisted playwrights for their works and well done to the Advisory Board and the judges for their immense contributions to the prize. In line with the need to reevaluate our priorities, visions and to push for change that will make the world a better place for businesses and humans.
Speaking on the prizes, the NLNG boss noted that the authors have used the power of words to redefine values, institute change and call attention to things that need to be preserved in a fast changing world”
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He commended all the writers for exhibiting a high level of literary ingenuity, while assuring on sustained support for the prizes.
In 2013, Gomba’s poetry collection, Length of Eyes, was listed by the jury of the Nigeria Prize for Literature as one of the best eleven poetry books. He is also the author of The Ascent Stone, For Every Homeland, and Thunder Protocol.
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