Education
World Poetry Day: NGO Decries Dearth Of Poetry Study In Schools
The Youth Orientation for Development, A Non-Governmental Organisation of the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), the Youth Orientation for Development (YOD), said it was concerned over the dearth of study of poetry in Nigerian primary and secondary schools.
President of the group, Emmanuel Ejiogu, raised the concern in Port Harcourt on Saturday at the kickoff of a poetry competition for schools in Rivers, in commemoration of 2020 World Poetry Day, Saturday.
He said the group decided to organise the poetry competition, in collaboration with Maiden International Group, to reverse the seemingly disinterest in the study of poetry in schools.
“The competition is beginning today in celebration of the 2020 World Poetry Day which seeks to encourage a return of the oral tradition of poetry recitals and teaching of poetry.
“Also, the day aims to restore a dialogue between poetry and the other arts such as theatre, dance, music and painting.
“To achieve this, we put together a poetry competition for schools in Rivers State with the intent to discover young, creative and talented children, so as to reverse the trend.
“The competition is to provide pupils and students a platform that will help them showcase and develop their talents for the benefit of all,” he said.
The competition, Ejiogu said, was open to all primary and secondary schools in the state.
He added, the contest would also seek to draw the attention of students to the need to promote and appreciate their culture and languages, especially languages facing extinction.
According to him, no society can function effectively and bring about certain progressive changes without poetry- inclined arts.
“We believe that poetry can be used to preach the message of peace and unity in Nigeria, especially at this time when there are strong divisions along ethnic and religious lines,” Ejiogu added.
The group’s Director of Programme, Mr Euriel Momah, said the competition was grouped into three categories, senior and junior secondary schools and primary school.
He said the senior secondary students would write poetry on: “Unity in Diversity”; junior secondary on “My Nation, My Pride” while pupils in primary schools would write on “We are strong as one’’.
“In each category, the winner will go home with N50,000, second place school N30,000 and third will be presented with a cash prize of N20,000, among other consolation prizes,” he said.
Recall reports that March 21 is celebrated internationally as World Poetry Day, which highlights linguistic diversity through poetic expression and provides opportunity for endangered languages to be heard.
Education
School Resumption:Rivers begins monitoring of compliance to academics standards

Education
University of Port Harcourt elevates five professor’s on communication and public relations

Education
Our academic activities are AI driven – VC ….declares I’ntl Conf on education

-
Sports2 days ago
FIFA rankings: S’Eagles drop Position, remain sixth in Africa
-
Sports2 days ago
CAFCL : Rivers United Arrives DR Congo
-
Sports2 days ago
NPFL club name Iorfa new GM
-
Sports2 days ago
NNL abolishes playoffs for NPFL promotion
-
Sports2 days ago
Kwara Hopeful To Host Confed Cup in Ilorin
-
Sports2 days ago
NSF: Early preparations begin for 2026 National Sports Festival
-
Sports2 days ago
RSG Award Renovation Work At Yakubu Gowon Stadium
-
Sports2 days ago
RSG Pledges To Develop Baseball