The Advisory Board for The Nigeria Prize for Literature today 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 The Nigeria Prize for Literature, worth $100,000 and sponsored by Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG).
Boom Boom by Jude Idada highlights a common health issue in Nigeria, Sickle Cell Anaemia, and with it the pain, love and bonds of friendship that come with the daily struggles of the victims in fascinating and capturing storytelling. The book unveils the world of an eight (8) year old boy who tries to find a way of saving his sister from Sickle Cell Anemia, a disease that claimed the life of his mother.
Mystery at Ebenezer Lodge by Dunni Olatunde evokes nostalgic thrills of children adventures. The book is about 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. It is a story about curiosity, riddles and problem solving.
O.T. Begho’s The Great Walls of Benin brings children’s attention to the myths of origin, set in the ancient Kingdom of Benin. 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.
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. Next year’s competition will focus on prose fiction.
Culled: daylight.ng
