NIGERIAN STUDENTS POETRY PRIZE (NSPP) 2019: TOP 100 POEMS

Poets in Nigeria (PIN) is pleased to announce the top 100 poems for the fourth edition of the Nigerian Students Poetry Prize (NSPP) which opened for submissions on 15th January, 2019.

A 5-man judging panel including Professor Al-Bishak, Kukogho Iruesiri Samson, Prof. Hulya N. Yilmaz, Gbenga Adesina and Dr. Obari Gomba reviewed 504 entries for the selection of the best 100 entries shared below in no particular order.

IN ME | Ihezue Somtochukwu Rodney (University of Benin)
NEOPHYTES | Nezianya Yvonne Ifeoma (University of Nigeria, Nsukka)
WOMAN | Abi Ruth Umume (Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria)
BLEAK | Adavore Eugene Oghenekaro (University of Benin)
POETRY IS LIFE | Eze Winnifred Adaeze University of Lagos, Lagos
I RETURNED AND SAW UNDER THE SUN | Anthony Chukwuemeka Okpunor (University of Benin)
WAILING MOTHER | Oghenetega praise Offideh (University of Benin)
WE ARE RESPLENDENT | Udeoba Ebubechukwu (Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli)
DEPRESSION IS NOT A PRIVILEGE OF THE WEST | Lawson Williams Lawson (Niger Delta University Wilberforce Island, Yenagoa)
LIKE A WAR… | Jegede Abisola Chinonye (University of Lagos)
MESSAGE TO THE WIND | Aire Joshua Omotayo (University of Ibadan)
TO THE SHOES THAT SHAPED ME | Nnamdi Laura Chioma (University of Nigeria, Nsukka)
DYSPHORIA | Joseph Peter Akpan (University of Uyo)
THE WIDOW THAT SUFFERS FOR HER INNOCENCE | Oluwafunmilayo Obasa (University of Ilorin)
THE RAVISHED LAND | Karibo Jackson Roland (Niger Delta University Wilberforce Island, Yenagoa)
THE QUEST | Fasanya Favour Modupeoluwa (University of Ibadan)
LEARNING HOW TO BREATHE | Karimot Odebode (Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife)
IN THE NAME OF THE LORD | Ojatobare Adjekuko (Federal University of Petroleum Resources Effurun)
DEADLINES | Udeh Harrison (University of Lagos)
THORNS & SILENCE | Junaid Olaitan (Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife)
BURY THE COUNTRY | Kasim Shalom (Federal University, Wukari)
I AM A NORTHERNER |Oluseyi Abisoye Sumanu (Bayero University, Kano)
AFRICA: A COMPENDIUM OF AFFLICTIONS | Hussani Abdulrahim (Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto)
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST | Taiwo James Adeolu (University of Agriculture, Abeokuta)
SHOW ALL LOVE SOME LOVE | Oladipo Jesutoba Olayinka (University of Agriculture, Abeokuta)
NAKED | Chukwu Chinonso Ephraim (Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife)
THE GIANT | Roseline Mgbodichinma Anya Okorie (Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka)
ENTHRALLDOM | Oguntade Oreoluwa Deborah (Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife)
DIVERSE PRAYERS | Opeyemi Olatunde Olukayode (University of Benin)
SALIENT MEMORIES | Kamarudeen Aishat Olamide (University of Ilorin)
TALES OF I AND BAAMI | Oluwatudimu Akintayo (Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye)
ADDICTION | Olughu David (Federal University of Technology, Owerri)
WHO WE ARE | Edafeamredje Oghenekparobo (Delta State University, Abraka)
THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD | Kosisochukwu Kizito Mbano (Augustine university)
CONFESSION | Odukoya Adeniyi (Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife)
TO LOSE A LOVED ONE | Iloelunachi Levi Odira (Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli)
A SONG OF PAIN | Oba-Akasi Ndeinlorse Josephine (University of Calabar)
GRAND GRAND | Eyimofe Okuwoga (Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo)
THE NIGERIA I WANT | Dosunmu Joshua Ayooluwa (Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti)
MURDER | Nwobi Stanley (Federal University of Technology, Owerri)
MICAH | Ogugua Micah Okoye (Enugu State University of Science and Technology Enugu)
I’M THE HAPPIEST PERSON ALIVE! | Ayikpo Timothy (University of Ibadan)
HOME | Asadu Emmanuel Chiagoziem (University of Nigeria, Nsukka)
THE TALK OF THINGS | Femi Ayo-Tubosun (Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo)
ALL THESE MEMORIES AND DREAMS | Obasiota Ben Ibe (University of Calabar)
BLEEDING HEART | Adetunji Joshua Iyanuoluwa (The polytechnic, Ibadan)
GOD IS AN AFRICAN WOMAN | Jordan Oziegbe Eguavoen (Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma)
MORNING PRAYER | Osho Tunde Okanlawon (Yaba College of Technology)
BITTERSWEET, COLD AND HEAT | David Oyindoubra Seibidor (University of Port Harcourt)
Boeing 737 MAX 8 | Bartholomew Mba (University of Benin)
MY FIRST, MY LESSON | Nwabueze Ifeanyichukwu I. R. (University of Ibadan)
A CHURCH-GIRL’S END | Olutayo Oluwatumininu Oluwatoni (University of Ibadan)
SWEET STORY | Oji Kester Chukwunalu (Delta State University, Abraka)
THE LAST DINNER (The Lost Piece of a Broken little girl) | Anuoluwa Olusegun Soneye (Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife)
BAMBOO FLUTE | Atofarati Faruq Umar (University of Ilorin)
SUICIDE WARNING SIGNS | Okpara Ugochukwu Damian (Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli)
BESTIE | Abdussalam Abdulqoyyum Olayinka (University of Ilorin)
WIDE AWAKE | Dawodu Oluwaseyifunmi (University of Ibadan)
ROOTS | Chineke Cajethan Goodluck (Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli)
SHE’S WITH CHILD | Eze Tochukwu Precious (University of Nigeria, Nsukka)
WHAT THE POEM SAYS | Uchechukwu Ezenwa-Ohaeto (Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka)
WHAT WERE THINKING WHEN YOU NAMED THIS PLACE | Diana Modeme (University of Uyo)
CULT HUNT | Opeyemi Abibat Olamitoye (Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo)
DIVINATION | Adedeji Adeogo Benjamin (University of Ibadan)
I BELONG HERE, CLOWN! | Awosusi Oluwabukunmi Abraham (University of Ibadan)
LITTLE WINGLESS ANGELS | Oparaku Osinachi George University of Calabar, Calabar
DOOR | Adeniran Ogooluwa Joseph (Bowen University, Iwo)
LINES | Theophilus Femi Alawonde (University of Ibadan)
CLAWS | Victor Lazarus (University of Port Harcourt)
BY THE TIME… |Adebayo Qudus Ayinde (Kwara State University, Ilorin)
THE ESCAPE: DOWN THE BARREL | Victor Towoju (Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti)
TODAY I WATCHED A BOY BEING BORN | Samson Abanni (Ebonyi State University Abakaliki)

TRIBAL MARKS | Nwaeze God’stime (FCT College of Education, Zuba)
I FADE | Osuji Perpetua Ogechi (University of Benin)
THIRSTY WATERS | Ahmadu Usman Ode (Nasarawa State University, Keffi)
GO SEE YOUR DOCTOR | Joshua Ojo (University of Ibadan)
HURRAH FOR LIGHTNING | Sadiq Boluwatife Emmanuel (University of Ibadan)
THERE WAS MY COUNTRY | Adekitan Adedolapo Isaac (Federal University, Oye-Ekiti)
HOPE IS ALIVE | Adewara Joses (University of Ilorin)
THIS SKIN GLAZED WITH COAL | Onyekwelu Chiwenite Kingsley (Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka)
INSANITY | Chukwuma Uju Theresa (Delta State University, Abraka)
TRAILS OF TAMPERED TALES | Okojie Dickson Okadukpon (Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife)
GENERATIONS | Abasima Solomon Essien (University of Nigeria, Nsukka)
WE ARE OUR OWN RACIST | Odunze justin Ugochukwu (University of Benin)
LIVING DEAD | Yusuf Halimah (Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye)
BLUE HAIKU | Abraham Isaac Oluwatimilehin (Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti)
MAGIC WRAPPED IN COAL | Onyinyechi Daniella Ekeopara (University of Benin)
LETTER TO EMPYREANS | Emecheta Christian (University of Agriculture, Makurdi)
LENSES | Apochi Michael Oche (University of Jos)
DEAR SOLDIER | Francis Ukpevie-Grace Goody (Madonna University, Okija)
WHEN THE TABLE TURNS | Oladejo Oluwatosin (University of Lagos)
TRANSFORMATION | Muhammed Sulaimon Abiodun (University of Ibadan)

SUPERPOSITION OF STATES | Chijioke Stephen Ogomegbunam (Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli)
THE VISIT | Ibelachi Franklyn Chinedu (Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli)
AN ARTEFACT OF A GROIN WAR | Ehi-kowochio Ogwiji (University of Ibadan)
METAMORPHOSIS | Chukwu Emmanuel C. (University of Calabar)
DEATH IS BEAUTIFUL | Adeyeye james oluwatobi (Kwara State Polytechnic)
BOUNTIES | Precious Okpechi (University of Nigeria, Nsukka)
THE BLINDFOLDS ARE NOT TO BLAME | Kaine Ikechukwu Kelvin (University of Benin)
THE LOOMING | Aninoritsetan Ejuliuwa (University of Benin)

PLEASE NOTE THAT,

the top 100 entries will be published in an anthology edited by Eriata Oribhabor and Kolade Olanrewaju Freedom
the top 100 entrants are entitled to complimentary copies of the NSPP publication;
a longlist of 20 poems will be announced on 20^th June, 2019;
a shortlist of 10 poems will be announced on 27^th June, 2019;
the prize winners (top three entrants) will be unveiled at the NSPP Awards slated for 6^th July, 2019 at Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

Kolade Olanrewaju Freedom

Moderator, NSPP 2019