SELECTED ENTRIES: NIGERIAN STUDENTS POETRY PRIZE (NSPP) 2021

Poets in Nigeria (PIN) is pleased to announce the top 81 poems for the sixth edition of the Nigerian Students Poetry Prize (NSPP) which opened for submissions on 15th January, 2021.

A 5-man judging panel including Professor Amanze Akpuda, Dr. Santosh Bakaya, Dr. Soji Cole, Kukogho Iruesiri Samson and Shola Phebian Oguntoyinbo reviewed 247 valid entries for the selection of the outstanding entries shared below in no particular order.

A MUSEUM OF PAINS | Olalekan Daniel Kehinde (University of Benin, Benin City)
THE CONVERSATION | Bassey Augustina Akpan (University of Calabar, Calabar)
MAN OF MANY FACES | Enobong Ofonime Mark (Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti)
WE WEAR SORENESS IN OUR SCARS | Kwaghkule Aondonengen Jacob (Federal University, Wukari Wukari)
CHARRED MEMORIES | Justice Abraham Kalu (Federal University, Ndufu-Alike)
SOMETHING DIFFERENT FROM A MOTHER | Joseph Peter Akpan (University of Uyo, Uyo)
NOT KNOWING | Abugu Chukwudalu Mariarosa (University of Nigeria, Nsukka)
A WAILER BENEATH THE BRIDGE | Chiemenam Arinze (Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli)
DARKER DAYS, BRIGHTER NIGHTS | Okigbo David N. (Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli)
UMASOYE | Igwe Franca Umasoye (Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt)
SAFE FLIGHT NIGERIA; TO WHERE? | Blessed-Chinatu Cyril Orji (Cross River University of Technology, Calabar)
MAKE US WHOLE | Samson Abanni (Ebonyi State University Abakaliki)
THE PLAGUE | Okoronkwo Chisom Blessing (Abia State University, Uturu)
BEYOND THE POLLS | Olowo Qudus Opeyemi (University of Ilorin, Ilorin)
THE DAYS OF FUTURE PAST | Adeboye Oluwafemi Malumi (University of Benin, Benin City)
LOST MARKS | Aiyejinna Abraham Oshokunofa (Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto)
TO THE WORST… | Ibrahim Sofiyullaha Olaitan (First Technical University, Ibadan)
CONVOYS OF EMPTY BARREL | Okpolokpo Paul (Delta State University, Abraka Abraka)
CYCLE OF OUR ANGER | Utibe Ekaette Joe (University of Calabar, Calabar)
I DREAM OF A UNIVERSE DEVOID OF COVID-19 | Jacob Israel Eze (University of Ibadan, Ibadan)
I AM ME – Maryam Adebusola Adeola (University of Ibadan, Ibadan)
IN THE CASTLE OF OUR HOMES | Ndipmong-uwem Dickson Isaiah (University of Uyo, Uyo)
BEAUTIFUL SLAVERY | Divinefavour Chidera Anthony (Federal University, Wukari Wukari)
A BAG, A DREAM AND A PARABLE | Ntui Vincent Mbey (University of Calabar, Calabar)
A JOURNEY TO MY IDENTITY | Onyinye Blessing Nwokolo (Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu)
A BOY WAITING BY TOMORROW’S TOMB | Chisom Charles Nnanna (University of Ilorin, Ilorin)
WRITINGS ON A FACE | Samuel Ayegba Idoko (University of Ilorin, Ilorin)
THE CABINET OF DR. CALIGARI | Akubudike Deborah Chikanma (Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun)
SAVE THE CARDBOARD CITIES | Enobong Ernest Enobong (University of Lagos, Lagos)
THE ART OF BEING ALIVE | Ololo Olorife (Covenant University, Ota)
YOU ARE… | Odion-Osigwe Emike Ochuwa (University of Ibadan, Ibadan)
NEIGHBOURHOOD | Eremika Favour Patarh-Ebere (University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt)
INVISIBLE SCARS | Abasiakara Otobong Etim (University of Uyo, Uyo)
PORTRAIT OF WATER | Samuel A. Adeyemi (Federal University, Lokoja Lokoja)
STORIES IN THE WIND | Ebubechukwu Ifenna Udeoba (Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli)
MY GRANDPA TELLS ME STORIES | Abdulkareem Abdulkareem Oladimeji (University of Ilorin, Ilorin)
BLIND PASSION OF POWER | Nwaekpe Glory Nwakaego (National Open University of Nigeria)
WE THIRST AGAIN | Onah Chinaza Mary (University of Nigeria, Nsukka)
THE ONE WAY FORWARD IS BACK | Bakare Oluwafemi Samson (University of Ibadan, Ibadan)
REMINISCENCE | Oluwasegun Oluseyi Adesina (Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife)
THE SPARROW HAWK | Ubeke Mark Eche (Federal University, Wukari)
A BOY, HIS GOD AND A COUNTRY | Abioye Samuel Treasure (University of Jos, Jos)
ORIGIN OF REVIVAL | Okebiorun Olamilekan David (Federal University, Oye-Ekiti)
THE CRAZY BICYCLE WOMAN | Ezenwa Onugbolu (University of Lagos, Lagos)
MY PRIDE | Saviour Anthony Akpan (University of Uyo, Uyo)
| Sandra Uche Delumozie (Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka)
UNRAVELING THE MYSTERY OF OUR BEING | Kalu Esther Nididi (Yaba College of Tech)
THE LAST ELECTION | Chineke Cajethan (Peaceland College of Education, Enugu)
FORGET ME NOT | Onah Godday Ejiofor (Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria)
WHAT I AM | Haliru Amanat Lami (Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria)
HISTORY OF TOUCHES | Sam James Amatey (University of Calabar, Calabar)
WE DO NOT BELONG | Obiahu Blessing Chidiebere (Federal University, Ndufu-Alike)
FACES AND AGES | Callista Yihuan Joseph (Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria)
SHADES OF TEDIUM | Johnson Onyedikachi Shaquille (University of Nigeria, Nsukka)
THE VOYAGE | Agbotu Vinatius Kunga (The National Missionary Seminary of St Paul, Gwagwalada, Abuja)
TODAY LIES ON THE BURNT EDGES OF YESTERDAY | Gerald Obinna Ozota (University of Nigeria, Nsukka)
THE VISITOR WE NEVER SOUGHT | Amobi Amalachukwu Blessing (Imo State University, Owerri)
A DROWNING WAVE | Praise Osawaru (University of Benin, Benin City)
HOUSE BY THE WATERS | Olawale Oladapo (Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife)
ODE TO HUMANITY | Roseline Mgbodichinma Anya Okorie (Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka)
SCRABBLE | Ndugbu Stefan Chidiadi (Federal University of Technology, Owerri)
WEEKEND WARRIOR | Ujiogba Sharon Moyinoluwa (University of Ibadan, Ibadan)
JUST EXCELLENCE, BUT MORE OF FREEDOM | Ajakaye Rashidat Olamidayo (Lagos State University, Ojo)
WHO I AM IS WHO THEY WANT ME TO BE | Olafisoye-Oragbade Oluwatosin David (University of Ilorin, Ilorin)
A NAIRA SHY OF REBIRTH | Divine Inyang Titus (University of Uyo, Uyo)
BINOCULARS | Haruna Abdulmajid (Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria)
THE CALL | Francis Ukpevie Goody (Madonna University, Okija)
DRUMBEAT OF WAR | Michael Agunbiade (University of Ibadan, Ibadan)
ARISE O GIANT | Enoch Aondona Iortsume (Bayero University, Kano)
MY HUMANITY, YOUR HUMANITY | Richmmon Banks Egbe (University of Ibadan, Ibadan)
THE WITNESS | Okwubi Godwin Adah (University of Benin, Benin City)
TANGLED | Moses Bubu Oghenerukevwe (University of Benin, Benin City)
AWEIGH ANCHOR | Success Chimmeka Akio (University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt)
I’VE SEEN THINGS | Tom Tom Utum (Jr.) (Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife)
VESSEL | Unimke Ushie Benjamin (University of Calabar, Calabar)
ON THE WINDOWPANE | Grace Alioke Onyeka (University of Benin, Benin City)
DEAR IVY | Eugene Adavore (University of Benin, Benin City)
BURNT OFFERINGS | Mbaeze Nnedimma Magreth (University of Nigeria, Nsukka)
SURVIVAL | Oluebube Christopher Offor (National Open University of Nigeria)
THE CAMOUFLAGE | Jimoh Aishat Omotolani (University of Ilorin, Ilorin)
REFLECTIONS: BLENDING IMAGES | Onwuka Nnenna (Covenant University, Ota)

Please note that;

the top 81 entries will be published in an anthology edited by Eriata Oribhabor and Kolade Olanrewaju Freedom
the top 81 entrants are entitled to complimentary, digital copies of the NSPP publication;
a longlist of 20 poems will be announced on 6^th October, 2021;
a shortlist of 10 poems will be announced on 12^th October, 2021; and
the prize winners (top three entrants) will be unveiled at the NSPP Awards slated for 15^th October, 2021 at the Board Room, Conference Centre Building, University of Ibadan (UI) Hotels, Ibadan.

Kolade Olanrewaju Freedom
Moderator, NSPP 2021