POETS IN NIGERIA (PIN) – A REVIEW OF 2016 ACTIVITIES

PIN AND ITS MYRIAD OF THRIVING PROGRAMMES IN THE LAST ONE YEAR

 

Inaugurated in October, 2015, Poets in Nigeria (PIN) – a non-governmental, non-profit literary initiative – has been at the forefront of literary promotions in Nigeria through its myriad of highly innovative programmes. Known for its all-embracing approach to poetry related matters, PIN has recorded tremendous impacts in terms of engendering new followings for poetry without discarding existing ones. Since inception, PIN has categorically spelt out its objectives to include stimulating interest for poetry writing, reading and performances across Nigeria. Remarkably, PIN has not reneged on its creeds as each of its implemented programmes, highlighted below, serves as a credible testament.

 

 

• NIGERIAN STUDENTS POETRY PRIZE (NSPP) 2016

Launched on 15^th January, 2016 at the Students’ Union Building of the University of Ibadan,
the organizer of the prize, PIN listed its aim to include stimulating creativity, promoting excellence and broadening intellectualism among Nigerian undergraduates. A total cash prize of ₦180,000 was to be shared among the top three entrants while the top 100 poems would be collected and published as an anthology. The announcement of the prize triggered widespread interests among students of different geo-political zones. Closing to submission on 15^th March, 2016, the contest received entries numbering 400 from entrants drawn from 64 tertiary institutions in Nigeria and the United States. 320 poems which aligned with the stipulated guidelines were processed and forwarded to the Chair of the Judging Panel, Mallam Denja Abdullahi, President, Association of Nigerian Authors.

On 1^st July, 2016, the prize winners – Noah Oladele (Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife), Chinelo Nwangwu (University of Ibadan) and Chisom Okafor (University of Nigeria, NSUKKA) – were revealed, and their cash prizes: ₦100,000, ₦50,000 and ₦30,000 respectively awarded to them on the same day. Not forgetting the utmost need to promote the new creative writings of budding poets, an anthology of the top 100 entries is currently being worked upon for release on 15^th February, 2017.  The closure of this phase leads to the announcement of the second edition of the much anticipated prize.

•  PIN-VIRGINROSE POETS’ RESIDENCY 

In a bid to providing an amiable, muse-breathing atmosphere for poets in Nigeria, PIN under the auspices of Eriata Centre for Literary Education and Entrepreneurial Development partnered with Virginrose Resorts to organize a Poets’ Residency in Victoria Island, Lagos. Heeding the Call for Application from 21^st – 28^th January, 2016, 31 applications from poets residing within Nigeria were received and screened. As a result, two poets, Adefolami Adedimeji Ademola and Ewo Chidiebere were selected to be the first beneficiaries of the maiden edition of the programme.

Arriving 13^th February, 2016, the Poets-in-Residence, Adefolami and Ewo enjoyed full boarding facilities of the Virginrose Resorts which consequently enabled them to embark on personal literary projects. They were also afforded a literary mentorship opportunity during their stay with established writers and poets like Dr. Wale Okediran and Jumoke Verissimo coming around to provide insights on the values of writers’ residency and the intricacies of creative writing. They departed 27^th February 2016 having been exposed to opportunities that are pivotal to their writing career.

•  ERIATA ANNUAL FOOD POETRY CONTEST 2015/2016 (NOW PIN ANNUAL FOOD POETRY CONTEST)

Initiated in 2013, the poetry contest themed around food has been on an upward inclination.
The 2015/2016 edition was declared open to submissions on 21^st November with the theme – ‘these words are edible’. It later entertained about 250 entries from poets residing in Nigeria, India, United States, Brazil and Mexico. The judge, Jumoke Verrisimo, author of ‘I am Memory’ made available a shortlist of 10 poems on 26^th January before the eventual announcement of the prize winners on 30^th January.

Adedayo Adeyemi Agarau emerged first with his poem, ‘Oke-Agbo (For you, Dear Home) while Archita Mittra and Aremu Adams Adebsi came second and third respectively with their poems, ‘Pizza, Two Memories’ and ‘Iyan Funfun Felele’.

The top three entrants got ₦40,000, ₦20,000 and ₦10,000 as cash prizes. In the report filed by the judge (Jumoke Verissimo), the winning poem was described thus:

“Oke Agbo” is a lively poem. The poet’s use of imagery invites the reader to become a part of the poem. Also, the poet’s use of food as a memory of home is made alive with his acute descriptions and lively use of words. Food in itself becomes a home one wants to inhabit. I enjoyed reading this poem.”

On 3^rd July, 2016, Poets in Nigeria brought it to the notice of the public via its Facebook Page that Eriata Annual Food Poetry Contest had become PIN Annual Food Poetry Contest. The Call for Submission for the 2016/2017 edition of the contest is due out any moment from now.

•  ERIATA PHOTO POETRY CONTEST (NOW PIN ANNUAL PHOTO POETRY CONTEST)

 

It began as Eriata Photo-Fun Contest on the timeline of the President of PIN, Eriata Oribhabor, before being moved to a page of its own and managed by Awodiya Funke (author of ‘The Farmer’s Daughter) in 2015. Within the last one year, the contest has been continuously tweaked with the intention of keeping it ever green. It initially gave room for the submissions of photos on a particular theme every month. However, in the early part of 2016, the focus shifted; poetry was introduced. Then, it became Eriata (Bi-monthly) Photo Poetry Contest with the administrator producing photographs to be poetically captured by the participants in six lines. About 50 contemporary books were mailed to the winners of the prize that had about 120 participants in the 2015/2016 edition. On 3^rd July, 2016, PIN announced the change of name of the prize to be PIN Photo-Poetry Contest. The 2016/2017 edition is underway with more exciting changes.

 

•  PIN MONTHLY 10-DAY POETRY CHALLENGE

It kicked off on 10^th January, 2016 asserting PIN’s commitment to poetry promotion geared towards connecting poets in Nigeria and across the globe. Notable for its demand for freshly written poems, an average of 35 poems were received every month on unfixed themes. This resulted in the selection and announcement of top 10 entrants every month, who were afterwards mailed a copy each of newly published poetry collections. By November, 2016, the contest had received about 350 poems and awarded over 100 book prizes to over 100 top entrants.

Having attained the targeted number of exceptional poems – 120, there are ongoing plans to publish an anthology out of the Poetry Challenge.

• PIN QUARTERLY JOURNAL 

Published on the day of the launch of Poets in Nigeria (PIN) in Surulere, Lagos on
24^th October, 2015, the PIN Quarterly Journal symbolizes PIN’s quest for poetic excellence and meritorious artfulness. It comprises of 15 columns including Poetic Insight, Tongues of Poetry, Blazing Hot, Erotic Zone, On the Spot, Food Poetry, Crispy Satire, Naija Languej, Book Review, Spoken Waves, The Cradle, Photo Poetry, Across the Oceans, Creative Words on Marble and Special Contributors. Portraying the inexhaustible richness of poetry, five issues of the publication have been electronically released on poetsinnigeria.org.ng.

Highly appreciated by literary enthusiasts, the journal generated over 100,000 views online before chiming a year on 24^th October, 2016. On 16^th September, 2016, the paperback version of the journal dubbed the Special Issue was released to an eager audience.

The PIN Quarterly Journal, as it stands, is one of the leading destinations for literary enthusiasts with high taste for literary excellence.

• STEPS & STOPS

The motivational angle to poetry is being harnessed via this programme managed by Clementina Owumi. Initiated in the early part of 2016, Steps and Stops, through its page on Facebook, serves readers with directional and motivational articles. Using the power of words to lend meaning and essence to creativity, Steps and Stops boasts of a loyal following, especially among goal-setters. Several strategies have been deduced to make its second year more successful.

•  FESTIVAL POETRY CALABAR

This festive initiative of Poets in Nigeria drew its first breath on 23^rd of December, 2015 at Marina Resort, Calabar. Themed Celebrating the Cultural Richness of Poetry, the 2-day event recorded astounding success with modest participation.  PIN had teamed up with Calabar Literary Society and Nka Literary Group to organize the maiden edition of the festival targeted at aligning intellectualism with entertainment. Several activities such as open mic, poetry reading & performances, keynote address, panel discussions, on-the-spot poetry challenge and others took place.

In early 2016, the Festival Poetry Foundation was set up and registered (with Corporate Affairs Commission) as the official body charged with the responsibility of organizing the Festival Poetry Calabar annually. Members of the Board of Trustees include Eriata Oribhabor, Ekaete George, Bassey Asuquo, Tony Adah, Obodokasi Agbor, Tijah Bolton-Akpan and Kolade Olanrewaju Freedom.

The 2^nd edition of the festival took place between 26^th and 28^th December, 2016 with the James Henshaw Foundation Centre being the main venue for most of the activities. It featured poetry reading & performances, music, tour of the PIN Gallery of Poetry, drama, keynote address, cultural dance and Calabar Carnival Train. At the end of the event, it became evident that Festival Poetry Calabar has carved a unique path to greatness.

The programmes of PIN profiled above epitomize magnanimity and dynamism – qualities that make PIN greatness-bound.

 

Kolade Olanrewaju Freedom

For: Poets in Nigeria