The Advisory Board for The Nigeria Prize for Literature has announced Jude
Idada’s ‘Boom Boom’, Dunni Olatunde’s ‘Mystery at Ebenezer Lodge’ and O.T.
Begho’s ‘The Great Walls of Benin’ as finalists for the 2019 edition of the competition.
The prize for the competition sponsored annually by the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited is worth $100,000.
Boom Boom, which was written by Idada highlights Sickle Cell Anaemia, a common health issue in Nigeria, alongside the pain, love and bonds of friendship that come with the daily struggles of the victims in fascinating and capturing storytelling.
Mystery at Ebenezer Lodge written by Olatunde evokes nostalgic thrills of children adventures.
The book centres on the Ilesanmi children who were sent to their grandmother’s aunt for a week only to uncover a mystery of someone entering an old building without using the doors.
Also, Begho’s ‘The Great Walls of Benin, set in the ancient Benin Kingdom brings children’s attention to the myths of origin.
Two children go on a quest after a harmless game of hide and seek, opening up a surreal world of culture and heritage.
The winner of the Prize will be announced at an award night on October 11, 2019.
While announcing the finalists, the Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Nigeria Prize for Literature, Prof. Ayo Banjo, assured that the board will retain the high literary standards of the prize, pointing out that the NLNG Prize for Literature remains the most prestigious literary prize in Africa.
The Nigeria Prize for Literature rotates yearly amongst four literary genres: prose fiction, poetry, drama and children’s literature. The 2019 prize is for children’s literature while next year’s competition will focus on prose fiction.
Source: Daily Trust
