Author of “The Road Does Not End”, Familoni Oluranti Olubunmi, has won the 2024 edition of The Nigeria Prize for Literature competition.
Familoni received $100,000 prize money from Nigeria LNG’s purse.
The chairperson of the Advisory Board of the Nigeria Prize for Literature, Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, joined by other members of the Advisory Board, Profs Olu Obafemi and Ahmed Yerima, adjudged Familoni’s “The Road Does Not End” winner of the prestigious literary award at the Nigeria LNG Grand Award night tagged, “The Future”.
The glamorous event took place Friday, at the Eko Hotels Victoria Island, Lagos to mark the grand finale of the 2024 edition of the Nigeria Prize for Literature competition, 20 years of instituting the Nigeria Prizes, presentation of awards to the winners of the Nigeria Prize for Science, NLNG’s celebration of 35 years of incorporation as a company, and 25 years of exceptional operations.
“The Road Does Not End” was judged the best out of a total of 163 books entered for this year’s competition.
In the final round, Familoni floored two other finalists, Ndidi Chiazor-Enenmor, (“A Father’s Pride”) and Uchechukwu Peter Umezurike (Wish Maker) to clinch the prize.
While making the announcement, Prof Ezeigbo commended the NLNG for instituting and sustaining the prizes for 20 years. She also commended the finalists of the Nigeria Prize for Literature competition for submitting “Well written, edited and produced books.”
Prof Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo also emphasised that the Advisory Board and the panel of judges, in selecting the shortlisted books, prioritised excellence and recognised the significant impact the Prize has on young Nigerians.
Recall that in July 2024, 11 selected works were released in a longlist and recognised by the Advisory Board.
The shortlist of three; “A Father’s Pride” by Ndidi Chiazor-Enenmor, The Road Does Not End by Familoni Oluranti Olubunmi and Wish Maker by Uchechukwu Peter Umezurike, was selected from this list by a panel of judges led by Professor Saleh Abdu of the Federal University of Kashere, Gombe State.
Other judges include Professor Vicky Sylvester and Dr. Osarobu Igudia.
Recall also that while announcing the finalists last month, the Chairperson of the Advisory Board, Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, emphasised that the Advisory Board and the panel of judges, in selecting the shortlisted books, prioritised excellence and recognised the significant impact the Prize has on young Nigerians.
The Board described “A Father’s Pride” by Ndidi Chiazor-Enenmor as a touching story that delves into the complex relationship between a father and his children, highlighting their struggles with love, forgiveness, and understanding.
For “The Road Does Not End” by Familoni Oluranti Olubunmi, it stated that the book addresses the critical issue of child labour in society adding that, “The book explores themes of resilience and human connection, emphasising the importance of relationships and the need for continuous self-improvement.”
“Wish Maker” by Uchechukwu Peter Umezurike, it was noted, “Combines suspense, engagement, inspiration, and entertainment. It weaves moral lessons and elements of magic realism, captivating young readers while praising its language and meticulous editing.”
The Nigeria Prize for Literature, which is one of the 10 richest and most prestigious literary prizes in the world, now in its 20th year, is sponsored by Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG). The prize rotates among four genres- Prose, Poetry, Drama and Children’s Literature. The 2024 edition focused on Children’s Literature.
Professor Christopher Okemwa, a lecturer of poetry and drama at Kisii University, Kenya, served as the International Consultant for the 2024 edition of the Prize. He is an award-winning author in Children’s Literature. Professor Okemwa joined the panel of judges to determine the final verdict.
Other members of the Advisory Board include Professor Olu Obafemi and Professor Ahmed Yerima.
In the last edition of the competition that focused on Children’s Literature genre in 2019, Mystery at Ebenezer Lodge, by Dunni Olatunde, The Great Walls of Benin by O.T. Begho and Boom Boom by Jude
Idada were announced in the Shortlist of Three. In the end, Idada defeated the other two authors to win the Prize.
With this feat, Familoni joins other authors who have won the Prize in the the Children’s Literature category- Professors Mabel Segun and Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo (joint winners in 2007), Mai Nasara (2011), and Jude Idada (2019).
In his opening remarks, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NLNG limited, Mr Philip Mshelbila said, authors have written stories that symbolize children as future.
Dr Mshelbila expressed excitement about Nigeria’s prospects in the energy transition journey, particularly with natural gas as an enabler, highlighting NLNG’s support for the Decade of Gas policy.
“In NLNG, we supported the declaration of the Decade of Gas, which the federal Government launched in 2021 to help Nigeria achieve industrialisation, economic prosperity, and tackle energy poverty by using gas as an enabler which aligns with NLNG’s vision to be a globally competitive LNG company helping to build a better Nigeria. I have expressed optimism in several fora that the Decade of Gas policy would enable the country to catch up with the industrialised countries of the world if successfully implemented as planned, while at the same time decarbonizing our ecosystem.
The event witnessed a gathering of eminent Nigerians, including traditional rulers, the literati, government officials, members of the diplomatic community, and many more. [Vanguard]
