The organizers of the Wale Okediran @ 70 Poetry Competition have officially announced the shortlist of outstanding entries, following a meticulous evaluation process by a panel of seasoned literary judges.
The shortlisted poems were selected from a wide array of impressive submissions by young and emerging poets from across Nigeria.
Chaired by Professor Mabel Evwierhoma of the Department of Dramatic Arts, University of Abuja, the judging panel featured distinguished literary figures including Khalid Imam, a renowned poet and arts curator, and Akudo Nkemjika Okeke, a poet, screenwriter, and scriptwriter. The judges expressed their admiration for the creativity, emotional depth, and thematic richness evident in the entries, many of which explored compelling subjects.
The Wale Okediran @ 70 Poetry Competition was established to honour the enduring literary contributions of Dr. Wale Okediran—former National President of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) and the current Secretary General of the Pan African Writers Association (PAWA). Designed specifically for Nigerian writers under the age of 25, the competition aims to discover and amplify new literary voices while celebrating the legacy of a literary trailblazer.
According to the organizers, the shortlisted works were selected based on a combination of literary excellence, originality, strength of voice, and thematic relevance to Dr. Okediran’s life, work, and impact. The judges noted the exceptional quality of submissions and the difficulty of narrowing down the list, underscoring the remarkable talent among the country’s youth.
The five shortlisted entries, presented in no particular order, are:
Wale Okediran, A Man of Healing Ink – Abdulmumeen Humul
Sambisa Girl – Nwegbo Miracle
For Wale Okediran @ 70 – Adegoke Oluwabunmi
A Sojourner – Abdulrazaq Godwin Omeiza
A Broom, A Breath, A Song – Deborah Uzak
The organizers congratulated the shortlisted poets and extended heartfelt appreciation to all participants for their creativity, passion, and engagement with the competition. They also announced that the winners of the first, second, and third prizes will be formally revealed on April 21, 2025.
