Akeem Lasisi
Nigerian scholar and writer, Obari Gomba, may not yet be a cat with nine lives but he has amassed up to five. This may not just be in the metaphoric sense – considering his persistence in the search for the golden crest called the Nigeria Prize for Literature. After missing the $100,000 Nigeria LNG-sponsored competition four times, he is again back in the race, creating some history as having been in the ring five times. Gomba was thus among the 11 longlisted writers whose plays were recently showcased in Lagos, with his entry titled Grit
It was at the annual Book Party organised by the Committee for Relevant Arts, led by arts and culture priests, Jahman Anikulapo and Toyin Akinosho. It featured readings and performances on the familiar MUSON Centre stage but, more importantly, it afforded the writers the opportunity to speak about their works and their dreams for the big award.
The 11 entries were selected out of 143 for this year’s prize round, which focuses on drama. The final verdict on the winning entry is expected to be announced in October 2023. The Nigeria Prize for Literature rotates yearly among four genres: prose fiction, poetry, drama and children’s literature.
Alongside Gomba on the list are veteran dramatist, Bode Sowande, with his work The Spellbinder; Victor S. Dugga (Gidan Juju), Cheta Igbokwe (Homecoming), Christopher Anyokwu (The Boat People) and Abuchi Modilim (The Brigadiers of a Mad Tribe). The other playwrights are Olubunmi Familoni (When Big Masquerades Dance Naked), Olatunbosun Taofeek (Where Is Patient Zero?), Henry Akubuiro (Yamtarawala – The Warrior King), Abideen Abolaji Ojomu (Ojuelegba Crossroads) and Ade Adeniji (Dance of The Sacred Feet).
The writers variously spoke on what inspired their works, the roles and state of the theatre in Nigeria and their expectations regarding the prize. On his part, Gomba hopes for the best like others. He, however, never held back the fact that it is a road he has repeatedly travelled.
He said, “I have learnt a bit of cautious optimism. This is the fifth time for me.”
Judges for the 2023 edition are Professor Ameh Dennis Akoh, a Drama and Critical Theory professor at the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ebonyi State; Professor Osita Catherine Ezenwanebe and Dr Rasheedah Liman.
Speaking at the event, the General Manager of External Relations and Sustainable Development at NLNG, Andy Odeh, said the annual book party was designed to bring NLNG, the sponsor of the prize, together with the literary community to promote excellence and creativity, and to project outstanding books to Nigerians and the world.
Odeh said: “Nineteen (19) years of successful administration have produced 17 winning works, and over $1 million has been won. This prize stands out as the biggest and most prestigious literary prize in Africa, and one of the world’s biggest and most reputable. We are happy that today presents an opportunity to interact with these 11 playwrights. We are just two steps away from announcing the winner of the $100,000 prize in October.
“We instituted The Nigeria Prize for Literature because we were concerned that standards of reading, writing, editing, proof-reading and publishing were drastically falling in Nigeria, a country that largely founded and dominated the African Writers Series; a country that is also known to have produced reputable writers and winning works. Today, we are glad that Nigeria can showcase great literary works published in Nigeria. Our library and bookshelves have been enriched with many great works by Nigerian writers. The Nigeria Prize for Literature alone has received over 2400 entries in the four genres, many of which are top-quality entries,” he said.
While journalist and writer, Anote Ajeluorou, moderated the session, multitalented artist, Ropo Ewenla; and seasoned actor, Francis Owuchie, anchored the reading part. They and other actors read excerpts from the plays, giving them life and whetting the listeners’ appetite for the stage.
Ewenla noted that the idea of a book party was an offshoot of a review of the prize in 2010 when some argued that stakeholders should do more for the publishing industry. He said CORA came up with the book reading event to create an opportunity for the authors to discuss their books with the audience, adding that nothing beats a book reading.
According to him, the prize money of $100,000 makes the competition one of the most keenly contested literary prizes in the world. Still, he added, writers primarily want to distinguish themselves with their writing and be recognised.
Other stakeholders that included Chief Kayode Aderinokun and veteran actress Taiwo Ajai-Lycett commended NLG for sustaining the prize while giving kudos to the playwrights.
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