Words Rhymes & Rhythm Publishers (WRR Ltd) and Something for Everybody Ventures (SFEV) have announced the call for entries to the 2016 edition of the annual Eriata Oribhabor Poetry Prize (EOPP).
The Prize, which started in 2012, is in its fifth year. Participating poets must be Nigerians resident in any part of the world.
Announcing the call for entries at a press briefing in Abuja, on Monday 18th of July, the Chief Executive Officer, Words Rhymes & Rhythm, Kukogho Iruesiri Samson, said the prize is dedicated to promoting literary excellence in Nigeria.
A total of N80,000 cash will be awarded to the winners – N50,000 for the Winner, N20,000 for the First Runner-up and N10, 000 for the Second Runner-up, he revealed.
“The underlying idea of this Prize is to engage Nigerian young poets creatively, thereby empowering them to develop their creativity towards literary excellence,” he said.
He also revealed the Judging Panel for the EOPP 2016, chaired by prolific Nigerian poet and Chief Operating Officer of WRR, Kolade Olanrewaju Freedom, with French poet and promoter of African Poetry, Brigitte Poirson, and Nigerian poet and Sickle Cell awareness campaigner, Awodiya Funke, as members.
Speaking at the briefing, Prize Patron, Eriata Oribhabor, noted the uniqueness of the prize which is the singular poetry prize dedicated to young Nigerian poets.
“This prize was instituted because I realized that the aspect of getting youths engaged is very important. One of the best ways to keep the creative and educative tempo among the youths is by initiating literary activities. This has been the driving force for my passion for promotion of literature,” he said.
The Chair of judges, who was also present at the briefing, said the EOPP has fast become the leading platform for the discovery, encouragement and celebration of poets in Nigeria
According to Kolade, “The EOPP is about youth engagement, poetic excellence, reward, and motivation. It is as much about identifying and celebrating the unrecognized literary talents as promoting the Nigerian culture through poetry.”
Past winners of the prize are Nwakanma Chika (2012), Madu Chisom Kingdavid (2013), Darlington Ekene Ogugua (2014), Ajise Vincent (2015). The rules and guidelines for entry are available at www.authorpedia.wrr.ng/EOPP-2016.
Hope this meets you well. This is a press release for the event.
