NIGERIAN STUDENTS POETRY PRIZE (NSPP) 2018: TOP 100 POEMS

NIGERIAN STUDENTS POETRY PRIZE (NSPP) 2018: TOP 100 POEMS

Poets in Nigeria (PIN) is pleased to announce the top 100 poems for the 2018 edition of the Nigerian Students Poetry Prize (NSPP) which opened for submissions on 15^th January, 2018.  Reviewing the entries in line with the rules for the prize, 464 entrants were deemed eligible to vie for the prize. A 5-man judging panel, chaired by Ismail Bala, has selected the following poems, in no particular order, as the top 100 entries.

• MASSACRE IN BENUE | Tom Tom Utum (Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife)
• TIT FOR HEART | Sede Oshokemekiah Victory (University of Benin, Ugbowo)
• BLOOD, LOVE AND ASHES | Adibe Nnanyelugo Pius (University of Nigeria, Nsukka)
• ZEYANI | Oko Owoicho (Benue State University, Makurdi)
• SWEET LITTLE GIRL | Darko Nanyil Nanman (University of Ibadan, Ibadan)
• WHEN TOMORROW DIED YESTERDAY | Nureni Ibrahim (Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria)
• MIND GAMES | Adenle Iyanuoluwa Deborah (Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife)
• THE AFRICAN DJEMBE | Apah Benson (University of Benin, Ugbowo)
• THE CANKERWORM EATING UP THE GIANT | Patarh-Ebere Tuago Success (University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt)
• GROWING UP, BREATHING WITHOUT | Rabiu Abebowale Olamilekan (University of Ibadan, Ibadan)
• THE COLOR OF DEATH | Esther Yila umaru (Bowen University, Iwo)
• THE WORD MISSING | Amaobi Uche (University of Abuja, Abuja)
• PLEASE GO AWAY! | Obaniyi Stephen Olawale (University of Ibadan, Ibadan)
• BLACK | Abdulhameed Ridwan Olamide (University of Agriculture, Abeokuta)
• EVERYTHING THERE IS OURS | Ekpenyong Kosisochukwu Collins     (University of Nigeria, Nsukka)
• DERANGED | Omotola Betty (Bowen University, Iwo)
• YOU CANNOT RUN AWAY FROM EVERYTHING | Hauwa Shaffii Nuhu (Bayero University, Kano)
• OH LAGOS CITY! | Babalola Adetola Emmanuel (University of Ibadan, Ibadan)
• WHERE IS RAIN? | Betiku Ayokunle Samuel (University of Ibadan, Ibadan)
• LAGOS WONDERS | Eleha Ibrahim Tosin (Lagos State University, Ojo)
• THE SONG | Offor Oluebube Christopher (University of Nigeria, Nsukka)
• WORDS MY MOTHER TOLD ME | Oyekunle Ifeoluwa Peter (Federal University of Technology, Akure)
• WHAT’S THE “NIGERIAN” WORD FOR CHANGE? | Ayikpo Timothy (University of Ibadan, Ibadan)
• A DAUGHTER’S PLEA | Pat Ashinze (University of Ilorin, Ilorin)
• THE PATH OF QUANDARIES | Edet Abasi-Akara Ekwere (University of Nigeria, Nsukka)
• UNTITLED | Edaki Timothy Obhohan (University of Benin, Ugbowo)
• HOW TO BREAK-LOOSE FROM THE BATTLEFIELD | Bayowa Ayomide Micheal (University of Ibadan, Ibadan)
• THIS AGONY MOTHER FEELS | Idowu Ebenezer Odeyemi (Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti)
• PARTY | Bolaji Akintola (University of Lagos, Lagos)
• CHRONICLE OF LIFE’S BATTLES | Olajuwon Joseph Olumide (Yaba College of Technology)
• PAGES UNWRITTEN | Samuel Olawale Ogunyinka (Moshood Abiola polytechnic, Abeokuta)
• EDDIES OF LIFE | Obinna Lawrence Ozeh (Bayero University, Kano)
• DISTRESS | Afen Fredley Ukeh (Kaduna State University, Kaduna)
• THE COLLAPSE OF CHARIOTS | Ekwueme Chinonso Kelechi (Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli)
• THE EARTH HOPES FOR HEAVEN | Abraham Joshua Omeiza (Kogi State University, Anyigba)
• AWA ARAWA | Oyeleke Sunday Michael (Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria)
• IN A PRIVATE CLINIC AT MAIDUGURI | Ebuka Prince Okoroafor (Imo State University, Owerri)
• SILENT WORLD | Fashola Esther Adebusola (Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Ikeji-Arakeji)
• DEAD FLOWERS, RED ROSES | Mazpa Ekejiuba-Ejikem (University of Calabar, Calabar)
• SCHIZOPHRENIA | Adjekuko Ojatobare (Federal University of Petroleum Resources Effurun)
• FAITHS AT WAR | Owojuyigbe Mayokun (University of Ibadan, Ibadan)
• THE UNIVERSE-CITY | Hakeemat Abike Ogunfuyi (University of Benin, Ugbowo)
• LOST | Kelvin Yunisa (University of Agriculture, Abeokuta)
• RAVINGS OF A VILLAGE IDIOT | Boluwatito Aiyepola (University of Lagos, Lagos)
• TOMORROW DIED YESTERDAY | Akindeere Abdulquadri Adekunle (Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso)
• OUR CHILDREN ARE COMING HOME | Udechukwu Chinomso Promise (Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka)
• COLD PROMISES: DE FACTO | Kolawole Emmanuel Ijalana (National Open University of Nigeria, Abuja)
• FOR WALLFLOWERS THAT NEVER KNEW WHAT THEY WERE CARVED OUT OF A RAINBOW | Udokamma Wilfred (University of Nigeria, Nsukka)
• THE THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT ME | Patra Okute (Igbinedion University, Okada)
• DREAMS AND BROKEN THINGS | Onyekwere Somtochi (Federal University of Technology, Owerri)
• THE DOOR | Aremu Adams Adebisi (University of Ilorin, Ilorin)
• WAITING FOR THE RAINS | Ayoade Iyanuoluwa Oyindamola (Landmark University, Omu-Aran)
• ON THE COMING OF BREAD | Anifowoshe Ibrahim (University of Lagos, Lagos)
• RANDOM THOUGHTS | Ngwu Iroabuchi Okey (University of Nigeria, Nsukka)
• HAIKU STORY | Akindele Michael Tobi (University of Agriculture, Abeokuta)
• FREEDOM | Olanrewaju Moses (University of Ibadan, Ibadan)
• A TALE OF MIGRATORY LOCUSTS & HOLOCAUST | Ogwiji Ehi-kowochio Blessing (University of Ibadan, Ibadan)
• AFRICAN-BLACK | Tope Abigail Larayetan (University of Lagos, Lagos)
• ON THE EVE OF THE COMING DAY | Bartholomew Mba (University of Benin, Ugbowo)
• RHYTHMIC PARADOX | Zekeri Ojochenemi (Bowen University, Iwo)
• FINDING OUR WAY BACKWARD | Sofoluwe Mobolaji Kehinde (University of Ibadan, Ibadan)
• FOR THE CONTEMPORARY GIRL CHILD | Olutayo Oluwatumininu Oluwatoni (University of Ibadan, Ibadan)
• IT BROKE | Moyosoore Odole (University of Ibadan, Ibadan)
• SLAVERY | Samuel Irusota (Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma)
• TWO SIDES OF HAKEEM | Ikeobi Samuel Chukwubuokem (University of Agriculture, Abeokuta)
• RED | Deborah Oluwakemi Selemon (University of Ibadan, Ibadan)
• COLOURS | Hauwa Saleh Abubakar (Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria)
• WE WILL BEAR NO MORE | Ihezue Somtochukwu Rodney (University of Benin, Ugbowo)
• THE FLESH DOES NOT REFLECT THE MADNESS WITHIN | Dennis Chinenye Jane (University of Ibadan, Ibadan)
• ENDLESS WAIT | Mesogboriwon Adeleye Oriola (University of Benin, Ugbowo)
• SUNFLOWER BABIES | Chiamaka Emeka-Onyenacho (Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti)
• EXILE AT HOME | Buah Dansabe Kuni (Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife)
• DAYS OF THE WEAK | Cynthia Alagada (Bells University of Technology, Ota)
• MELTING CHOCOLATE | Ugonwa, Nnaemeka Slyvester (Godfrey Okoye University, Ugwuomu-Nike)
• HELL DAYS | Titus Adeolu Adekunle (University of Ibadan, Ibadan)
• RIVER BANKS OF BLOODY CHANGE | Uwanibe Uchechukwu Philomina (Covenant University, Ota)
• A CRY FOR JUSTICE | Opeyemi Olatunde Olukayode (University of Benin, Ugbowo)
• SORROWS OF A NIGER DELTAN | Dikibo Apollos (University of Ibadan, Ibadan)
• A CARRIER AND HIS DOUBLE YOKE | Oso Oluwaseyi (University of Lagos, Lagos)
• I AM POETRY | Gisanrin Olutayo Tosin (Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife)
• CHILDREN OF HARM | Babatunde Adedayo Gbolahan (University of Ibadan, Ibadan)
• BEFORE DUSK | Winlade Isreal (Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife)
• IF | Daniel Bright N. (Delta State Polytechnic, Ozoro)
• OBIANUKO | Onuoha Chibuike Nnaemezie (University of Ibadan, Ibadan)
• THE FALLEN KINGDOM | Ibi Judith Yusuf (Nasarawa State University, Keffi)
• WAITING TO EXHALE | Veronica Elias Ugian (University of Calabar, Calabar)
• THE STORM | Obrerhor Faith Eseoghene (Esther Federal College of Education, Pankshin)
• THUNDER | Ubi,Ubi Ofem (Cross River University of Technology, Calabar)
• HERE, NOWHERE | Kester Kanayo Onyemaechi (University of Benin, Ugbowo)
• DEEP DREAMS | Iberiyenari Godstime Tamunofiri (Niger Delta University Wilberforce Island, Yenagoa)
• MOTHER DEAREST | Okoye Micah Oguguo (Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu)
• YET ANOTHER HEAD | Amagwula Nnenna Comfort (University of Lagos, Lagos)
• BLACKBIRD | Aire Joshua Omotayo (University of Ibadan, Ibadan)
• BEAUTIFUL SAYS THE BLACK BOY | Nduka Benjamin Chinonye (University of Nigeria, Nsukka)
• AS DAYS | Ajoni Justinah Oluwabukola (University of Ibadan, Ibadan)
• PARDON FOR RAPE | Akinpelu David Olamide (Lagos State University, Ojo)
• WHEN A WOMAN WRITES | Badmus Firdaws Anisatullah (University of Ilorin, Ilorin)
• REMINISCE | Dennis Williams Uchechi (Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife)
• WHY HER LOVE R.I.P. | Sunday Abegunde (Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife)
• HOME IN BOTTLES OF FEAR | Adeniran Ogooluwa Joseph (Bowen University, Iwo)

 Please note that,

• the top 100 poems will be published in an anthology to be unveiled at the NSPP Awards;
• the best participating tertiary institution (school with the highest number of entrants) will be acknowledged with a trophy at the NSPP Awards;
• top-performing tertiary institution (school with the highest number of selected entries) will be awarded a trophy at the NSPP Awards;
• entrants who have appeared on all lists of top 100 entrants (since inception of the prize in 2016) will be specially recognized at the NSPP Awards;
• the top 100 entrants are entitled to complimentary copies of the NSPP publication;
• a longlist of 20 poems will be announced on 30^th April, 2018;
• a shortlist of 10 poems will be announced on 15^th May, 2018;
• the awards ceremony is slated for 24^th May, 2018 at Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu.

 

Kolade Olanrewaju Freedom

Moderator, NSPP 2018