All is now set for this year’s edition of the CORA Book Party greeting the announcement of the longlist of the Nigeria Prize for Literature.
The programme will hold at the MUSON Centre, Lagos, as noted in a statement by CORA’S Programme Officer, Samuel Osaze.
The Advisory Board for The Nigeria Prize for Literature announced the longlist of 11 drawn from 143 plays in the running for the 2023 edition of the prize.
The literature prize is sponsored by Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) with a cash award of $100,000, with thisb year’s edition focusing on drama.
The list was presented to the Advisory Board by the Chairman, Panel of Judges for this year’s prize, Professor Ameh Dennis Akoh, a Professor of Drama and Critical Theory at the Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ebonyi State. Other panel members include Professor Osita Catherine Ezenwanebe and Dr Rasheedah Liman.
In their report, the Judges stated that the longlist consisted of plays that unravel profound themes, each evidence of the artistry and creativity of their playwrights.
The judges also added that the playwrights’ ability to breathe life into their characters and narratives is a testament to their profound insight into the human experience.
NLNG in a statement signed by its General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Andy Odeh, stated that the Judges will also continue adjudication on the 13 entries for The Nigeria Prize for Literary Criticism, which runs concurrently with The Nigeria Prize for Literature. The literary criticism prize carries a monetary value of $10,000.
A shortlist of three is expected in September. The winner will be announced by the Advisory Board in October.