Words Rhymes & Rhythm (WRR Ltd.), in collaboration with Something
for Everybody Ventures (SFEV), hereby announces the call for entries for
the Eriata Oribhabor Poetry Prize (EOPP) 2016.
Nigerian Poets and lovers of literature, resident in any part of the
world are invited to submit well-worded poems on the sub-themes of:
Unity, Truth, Justice, Change and Sustainable Development in society,
with focus on Nigeria.
Now in its fifth year, the EOPP was instituted in 2012 as an annual
Prize to give the much needed attention to Nigerian poetry and encourage
young Nigerian poets to use poetry as a tool for social change.
The yearly contest has become the leading platform for the discovery,
encouragement, and celebration of poets in Nigeria. Four winners have
emerged since its inception.
PRIZES TO BE WON:
- First Prize – N50,000 cash and a copy each of Beautiful Poisons and Crossroads & The Rubicon, both authored by Eriata Oribhabor
- First Runner-up – N20,000 cash and a copy each of Beautiful Poisons by Eriata Oribhabor
- Second Runner-up – N10,000 cash and a copy of Crossroads & The Rubicon by Eriata Oribhabor
NOTE: All poets on the shortlist of 10 will receive SFEV certificates of recognition copies of
Crossroads & The Rubicon.
GUIDELINES:
- Contestants are invited to submit a maximum of two (2) poems on the above theme.
- All submissions should be made via email as BODY of mail to submissions@wrr.ng with the subject: ‘ERIATA ORIBHABOR POETRY PRIZE 2016’. Note that ATTACHMENTS are not allowed.
- All entries must be the original work of the poet submitting it.
- There’s no limit to the number lines of any poem.
- Authors must add their full names and a biography (100 words
maximum) in the body of the e-mail inclusive of full name, email
address, and phone number(s).
- Poems containing profanity or vulgarity will be disqualified.
NOTE THAT:
- The poems will be judged based on their artistic quality and creativity.
- The judges’ decision is final and under no circumstances will they
enter into any correspondence with entrants regarding their decisions.
- Authors retain copyright of their poems but submission gives us the
permission to publish selected poems in a future anthology as mentioned
above.
- Entries are free.
ELIGIBILITY: Nigerian residents in any part of the world are eligible.
CLOSING DATE: Entries will be received until Wednesday 24th of August, 2016
HISTORY OF THE EOPP
The ERIATA ORIBHABOR POETRY PRIZE (EOPP) started as brainchild of Sir
Eriata Oribhabor who saw the need to establish special reward mechanism
for young Nigerian poets. EOPP
began in November 2012 organized by Words Rhymes & Rhythm with a N50,000 cash prize sponsored by Sir Eriata. Now in its 4
th year, the EOPP is the singular poetry prize dedicated to young Nigerian poets.
So far, four Nigerian poets have won the prize;
Nwakanma Chika in 2012,
Madu Chisom Kingdavid in 2013,
Darlington Ekene Ogugua in 2014, and 2015 –
Ajise Vincent in the 2015 edition.
JUDGES PROFILE
AWODIYA ESTHER FUNKE
is a Nigerian poet and social
campaigner. Though a native Ilesha in Osun State, she was born in
Nigeria’s economic capital, Lagos, where she currently resides.
Awodiya holds a Bachelors degree in Sociology from the University of
Ado Ekiti, now Ekiti State University, and a Masters Degree from the
University of Ibadan, Ibadan. She is the Initiator SAFE DREAMS
INITIATIVE which is dedicated to Sickle Cell awareness. Awodiya is also a
member Poets in Nigeria (PIN) and the Association of Nigerian Authors
(ANA).
She recently unveiled her first poetry book THE FARMER’S DAUGHTER
(poems on the borderline). She is committed to using poetry to
positively impact people and societies worldwide.
KOLADE OLANREWAJU FREEDOM
is an award winning Nigerian poet who has authored two acclaimed poetry collection.
Kolade is the Chief Operating Officer of Words Rhymes & Rhythm and the editor of Poets In Nigeria (PIN) Quarterly Journal.
His
literary works have appeared in various anthologies and literary
journals. Kolade was recently awarded Pentasi B Universal Inspirational
Poet in Accra, Ghana.
He currently studies Communication & Language Arts at the University of Ibadan.
BRIGITTTE POIRSON
is a former teacher and university lecturer in languages.
Poirson has published 8 books in French and English, and has garnered
numerous awards. She has been included in Who’s Who in the World.
She now promotes African literature with poetry anthologies or as an
editor, and currently supports Words Rhymes & Rhythm, Nigeria’s
largest online poetry platform and a publishing house. One of Nigeria’s
most respected poetry competitions, the Brigitte Poirson Poetry Contest
(BPPC), is named after her.
PATRON’S PROFILE
ERIATA ORIBHABOR is a poet and former Chairman of
the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) Abuja chapter. His
revolutionary strides as chairman of ANA Abuja returned the chapter to
its pride of place as the centre of literary activities, especially with
its much celebrated and high profile guest author reading sessions. He
championed the maiden edition of the Abuja’s version of the 100 Thousand
Poets for Change event; a global non-governmental literary organization
promoting poetry as a tool for ”seizing and redirecting the political
and social dialogue of the day,” hoping to turn ”the narrative of
civilization towards peace and its sustainability” for societal uplift.
EOPP Patron, Eriata Oribhabor
Eriata is renowned as a promoter of languej and has written and edited poetry books in the language viz; ”
Abuja na Kpangba an Oda puem dem” (IFRAOribhabor, 2011). He is the Editor;
If Yu Hie Se A De Prizin; antoloji of puem-dem fo languej. Author of ”
Beautiful Poisons” and forthcoming works include;
Gud Old (a collection of Essays written in English) and Editor, ”
Amebo Yad and oda ple-dem” an anthology of plays written in
languej Naijá
Oribhabor manages a publishing outfit called Something for Everybody Ventures.
Mr Oribhabor is passionate about positive change for his country
Nigeria and encourages young writers to develop their potentials towards
achieving their dreams. He enjoys discussions on topical issues,
traveling, tours and adventures.
………………………………………………………
Signed:
Kukogho Iruesiri Samson
CEO WRR Ltd.
+234 (0) 80-60109295
kukogho.samson(at)wrr.ng or kukogho.samson(at)gmail.com
