Organizers Announce Wale Okediran @70 National Poetry Competition, Call for Entries

 

ORGANIZERS ANNOUNCE WALE OKEDIRAN @70 NATIONAL POETRY COMPETITION, CALL FOR ENTRIES

 

In honor of the forthcoming 70th birthday of Dr. Wale Okediran, one of Nigeria’s most celebrated literary icons, the Wale Okediran @70 National Poetry Competition has been officially launched. Dr. Okediran, a former National President of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) and the current Secretary General of the Pan African Writers Association (PAWA), has made indelible contributions to the growth of literature in Nigeria and Africa. This initiative seeks to celebrate his legacy while nurturing young literary talent in Nigeria.

The poetry competition is targeted at young and emerging poets aged 25 years or younger, providing them with a platform to showcase their creativity and contribute to the rich tapestry of Nigerian literature. It offers an opportunity for budding writers to express themselves through poetry and gain recognition on a national level.

Poets are invited to submit original works written in English. The poems must adhere to either free verse or stanza format, with a maximum of 20 lines. Submissions must be in Microsoft Word format, typed in Times New Roman, font size 12, and double-line spaced. Participants should include their name, phone number or WhatsApp contact, and email address in their submissions.

Entries should be sent via email to waleokediranpoetrycompetition@gmail.com with the subject line “WO@70.” The competition is open until February 28, 2025. For further inquiries, participants may contact the coordinator, Wole Adedoyin, via email at woleadedoyin@gmail.com.

Winners of the competition will receive monetary prizes, with ₦50,000 for first place, ₦30,000 for second place, and ₦20,000 for third place. In addition, ten honorable mentions will be recognized for their exceptional contributions. All prize winners will receive certificates of achievement, while every participant will be issued a certificate of participation.

To immortalize the competition, the top 20 outstanding entries will be compiled and published as an e-book. This initiative aims to preserve the creative works of these young poets and document the impact of the competition on the literary landscape of Nigeria.

The competition will be judged by a prestigious panel of literary experts, including: Prof. Mabel Evwierhoma – Department of Theatre Arts, University of Abuja (Chairperson), Khalid Imam – Renowned poet and arts curator, Akudo Nkemjika Okeke – Accomplished poet, scriptwriter, and screenwriter.

Speaking on the competition, Wole Adedoyin, the coordinator, emphasized that this event not only celebrates Dr. Wale Okediran’s milestone birthday but also aims to inspire young poets to explore their creative potential and contribute to Nigeria’s literary heritage.

The Wale Okediran @70 National Poetry Competition stressed the importance of literature in national development and the need to encourage young writers to excel. It provides a rare opportunity for emerging talents to gain exposure, network with literary professionals, and leave their mark in the literary community.