Poets in Nigeria (PIN) is pleased to announce the top 60 poems for the fifth edition of the Nigerian Students Poetry Prize (NSPP) which opened for submissions on 15th January, 2020.
A 4-man judging panel including Dr. Amanze Akpuda, Dr. Santosh Bakaya, Gbenga Adeoba and Naseeba Babale reviewed 540 entries for the selection of the outstanding entries shared below in no particular order.
- PAPA | Olalekan Daniel Kehinde (University of Benin)
- YET, GOD WAS SILENT | Awósùsì Olúwábùkúnmà Abraham (University of Ibadan, Ibadan)
- SOUND OF SORROW | Onah Godday Ejiofor (Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria)
- EVERY TIME I DIE | Precious John Ekereobong (University of Benin, Ugbowo)
- TOUCH | Ushie Augustine Eneji (University of Calabar, Calabar)
- LOST STORIES | Ikechukwu Smith (Evangel University Akaeze)
- COLOURS | Sam James Amatey (University of Calabar, Calabar)
- REMINISCENCE | Johnson Onyedikachi Shaquille (University of Nigeria, Nsukka)
- THE DISMAL ROAD TO OBLIVION | Akanbi Oyindamola Elizabeth (University of Agriculture, Abeokuta)
- NAMING OUR WORDS | Ojo Olumide Emmanuel (Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria)
- RUNNING OUT OF THE MIRROR | Abioye Samuel Akorede (University of Jos, Jos)
- OUR HORRID TALE! | Dabin Nyinrotmwa Musa (University of Agriculture, Makurdi)
- MAMA’S TEARS | Gimbiya Galadima (University of Benin, Ugbowo)
- VOICE FROM EXILE | Olawale James Olaogun (University of Ibadan, Ibadan)
- THE PARADOX OF SILENCE | Olajuwon Tolulope Oluwabusayo (University of Lagos, Lagos)
- IYA ALATA (THE PEPPER SELLER) | Akintunde Goodness Elizabeth (Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife)
- WE DANCE FOR WAR | Ogu Oluchi Divine Favour (University of Abuja, Abuja)
- A VISION OF THE FUTURE | Chineke Cajethan Jnr (Peaceland University of Education Enugu)
- SOUVENIRS | Mbaeze Nnedimma Magreth (University of Nigeria, Nsukka)
- MEMORIES | Victoria Omoghena Edidi (University of Benin, Ugbowo)
- WUHAN SNEEZED “COVID 19” | Ifunanya Juliet Ottih (University of Calabar, Calabar)
- EMBERS | Otegbade Ibrahim Tobiloba (University of Ibadan, Ibadan)
- ONE ONLY BECOMES DUST WHEN ONE EATS GRASS | Bryan Joe Obinna Okwesili (University of Calabar, Calabar)
- HELL AS A FIRST AID FOR BURNS | Nnadi Samuel (University of Benin, Ugbowo)
- EARTH IS ALSO HUMAN | Olanrewaju Moses (University of Ibadan, Ibadan)
- PROLOGUE TO A DEAD BODY | Abdulbaki A Ahmad (Kano University of Science and Technology, Wudil)
- A PRETTY THING | Ezenwa Onabolu (University of Lagos, Lagos)
- DREAM LIGHT | Ibekwe Osinachi Faith (Peaceland University of Education Enugu State)
- A WORLD OF STIFFNESS | Ayobami Kayode Tijani (Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto)
- A RAINBOW OF POSSIBILITIES | Caleb Chibuzo Maduka (University of Benin, Ugbowo)
- EFFLUX OF DESPAIR | Nneji Victor Arinze (Enugu State University of Science and Technology Enugu)
- INNER RUMBLINGS | HARUNA ABDULMAJID (Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria)
- UNDER THE GREEN BUD | Ushie Benjamin Unimke (University of Calabar, Calabar)
- COMPASS | Michael Emmanuel (Federal University of Technology, Akure Akure)
- TENDER MORTAL | Osunleye Isaac Opeyemi (Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife)
- A STORY OF EVOLUTION | Adetutu Adediran (Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso)
- PIXELS | Emecheta Chukwuma Christian (University of Agriculture, Makurdi)
- ASHAWO | Okafor John Oluwadamilare (University of Ibadan, Ibadan)
- THE RACIST BLACK GIRL | Lawal Fatima Aliyu (Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria)
- AUGUSTA | Agbo Chidera Augustine (Enugu State University of Science and Technology Enugu)
- JUVENILE | Oladapo Raheem Olawale (Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife)
- NONSO | Samson Abanni (Ebonyi State University Abakaliki)
- LETTER TO A TERRORIST | Omiyale Babatunde Yusuf (University of Ilorin, Ilorin)
- FAULT LINES | Bello Abdulmajeed Mohammed (Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria)
- TRAPPED BIRDS | Udeoba Ebubechukwu Ifenna (Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli)
- DO NOT CRY | Ike Hillary Chichebem (University of Nigeria, Nsukka)
- A POEM WHERE HOME BEGS FOR PEACE | Uchechukwu Ezenwa-Ohaeto (Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka) –
- HOW TO PAINT A BOY | Joseph Peter Akpan (University of Uyo, Uyo)
- PURE BLISS | Muhammed Sulaimon Abiodun (University of Ibadan, Ibadan)
- HOME | Theophilus Femi Alawonde (University of Ibadan, Ibadan)
- A HYMN FOR THE LOST AND EMPTY | Praise Osawaru (University of Benin, Ugbowo) –
- SCARRED NOW HURTING | Oluwakemi Osinimu Kayode (Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria)
- IKOGOSI: A BLESSING OF NATURE | Ogunjemilua Peace Adewole (Federal University of Technology, Akure Akure)
- LEAVE MY HOME! | Faith Modupeoluwa Onasanya (University of Ibadan, Ibadan)
- THE HOUSE THAT BUILT ME | Okwubi Godwin Adah (University of Benin, Ugbowo)
- WALLS | Ozota Gerald Obinna (University of Nigeria, Nsukka)
- WE BEAR SADNESS IN OUR NAME | Biachi Ndidi Anointing (Benue State University, Makurdi)
- ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WALL | Ndipmong-uwem Dickson Isaiah (University of Uyo, Uyo)
- MY TRUTH | Temiloluwa Okanmiyo Oluyemi (Bowen University, Iwo)
-
A MONOCHROME GRIEF | Samuel Adeyemi (Federal University, Lokoja)
PLEASE NOTE THAT,
- the top 60 entries will be published in an anthology edited by Eriata Oribhabor and Kolade Olanrewaju Freedom
- the top 60 entrants are entitled to complimentary copies of the NSPP publication;
- a longlist of 20 poems will be announced on 1st August, 2020;
- a shortlist of 10 poems will be announced on 8th August, 2020; and
- the prize winners (top three entrants) will be unveiled mid-August, 2020.
Kolade Olanrewaju Freedom
Moderator, NSPP 2020
I really need to be among of your students, and I want share my idea with you, but I don’t know how to do.