The I am Nigeria creative competition which invites intending participants to explore what it means to be Nigerian in past, present and future tenses, has been receiving entries since October 1.
“We are seeking entries in writing, art and music on the theme: ‘I AM NIGERIA’. We want your entry on what Nigeria means to you, and what it means to be Nigerian in past, present and future tenses. Entries open from the 1st of October 2021 and end on the 20th of November 2021. Winners would be announced on 1st of December 2021,” said a statement by the organisers.
Submissions can come as poems, prose, songs, photography, digital graphics or paintings that capture the essence of the Nigerian spirit, history, values, faults, potentials and everything in between.
“We seek creative entries in either writing, music or art categories that not only tell the story of where we have come from or what we are but can also paint a picture of all the glorious things we can be.
“Feel free to play on words, sub themes, titles and perspectives in your entry. Each entry should be categorised into writing, music or art. Basically, entries that are crafted just with words (e.g poetry, articles or essays) would be under the writing category. Entries in form of songs (of whatever genre) would be in music category and entries that can be captured in a visual form (e.g paintings, photography, digital graphics, sculptures etc) fall under the art category,” the statement further explained.
Those interested can find out how to navigate the site and upload entries here: https://www.creativenaija.com/how-to-use/
Essentially, participants are expected to open an account on CreativeNaija and upload entries and hashtag the entry as #IAMNIGERIA in the title section. Also submit via email to submissions@creativenaija.com.
Each of the three main categories- writing, music and art- would have a winner, first and second runner up. Each winner would take home N100,000 naira cash while first and second runner ups would be awarded N50,000 and N30,000, respectively. The overall winner in each category would also be given a brand new customisable Creative Naija hoodie.
“Our negative stereotypes probably arise from an interplay of different factors: The political failures of our leaders, our socio-economic challenges, our permission of the international media to paint our pictures instead of deliberately branding ourselves, and finally, and perhaps most importantly- the actions of everyday Nigerians in Nigeria and around the world.
“This competition is hopefully a call towards self reflection as a people. It is an opportunity to bluntly look ourselves in the mirror and ask- who are we? Who do people say we are? Why do they say so? What are all the things we are and can be? How would we get there?
“Ultimately, Nigeria is a sum total of several factors. We’d like to start with you. What does Nigeria or being Nigerian mean to you?”
The competition is sponsored by Dr Oluwaseyi Adebola, the founder of CreativeNaija and author of ‘A Cluster of Petals’
