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Nigerian Authors’ Int’l Awards In Retrospect

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Cont’d from last Friday edition Arguably, the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited-sponsored Nigeria Prize for Literature, which comes with a prize cash of $100,000, and Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) literary prizes with awards in different categories are the biggest and most prestigious prizes in Nigeria.
ANA prizes roll of honour include, stellar names such as Niyi Osundare, Femi Osofisan, Akin Adesokan, Hyginus Ekwuazi, Obari Gomba, Dul Johnson and Tanure Ojaide.
Apart from these two prestigious awards, there are others that are open to Nigerian writers, albeit, via competing with their African counterparts. Such awards include, the Caine Prize, Commonwealth Prize, Etisalat Prize for Literature and others are intensely sought after by writers who aim to hit fame by the fact of their winning these prizes.
For instance, while commemorating a decade since its inception in Ten Years of the Caine Prize for African Writing, in 2009, Jonathan Taylor, Chairman of the Council of the Caine Prize, and Nick Elam, the then administrator, noted in the preface that “winners and shortlisted candidates have seen their careers immeasurably enhanced, typically by attracting the interest of leading literary agents, and having their books published by mainstream publishers, and winning further prizes with them.”
Notwithstanding the fame and recognition that go with prizes, critics have accused some of the writers of undermining their creative worth because they are conditioned by prize expectations.
Literary critic, Ikhide R. Ikheloa, recently in a Twitter chat on SynCity’s “Literary Lords and Ladies” deplored writers for being influenced by what they think would appeal to the prize judges. He stated that “writers are too fixated on winning prizes; they are writing crap that fits what they think the prize judges will like! All we seem to hear of these days are about folks winning prizes!”
Kolade Olanrewaju Freedom, a poet and secretary, Poets In Nigeria shared same sentiments with Ikhide as he observed, “many writers, in an attempt to clinch a literary prize, make it a point of duty to study the philosophy of such prize. Not only do they read up on past winning entries and their thematic engagements, they also beam their search light on the organizers/judges and their published works to know the subjects they are likely to favour.”
Freedom went on to suggest that writers more often than made it an effort “to study such details as hobbies, sentiments and ideologies of the organizers/judges in order for the writers to pattern their works to suit the those preferences.”
The desires of writers to win prizes have had the resultant effect of a large turn out of literary works with stock themes with stereotypical projection of the country.
Freedom noted, “though, literary prizes are primarily designed to promote creativity and excellence, they oftentimes, indirectly determine the flow of ‘literary energy’.”
Responding to the question of writers being conditioned by prizes, Professor Remi Raji said such writers have their ‘legitimate drive’ but he warned they are better be referred to as ‘hack authors’.
The University of Ibadan teacher said, “a writer who produces stock themes that fit the interest of a literary organisation (if any) has his own legitimate drive, but alas, such writer is better called a hack author or a commission author. The grant- or prize-seeking author does double damage to his writing and confidence should he fail to win in the end. The literary tradition itself is diminished by such mercantilist motivation.”
For Nduka Otiono, an assistant professor and Graduate Programme Coordinator at the Institute of African Studies, Carleton University, Ottawa, “awards have a way of stimulating creativity. It also rewards creativity. The reason being that, especially, in third world countries, where the paths available to many artistes for excellence are rather limited. It is not going to be that you hit gold, because you’re a Joanne Rowling, who has published Harry Potter. It is not like you have hit gold, because you’ve come upon this creative piece that is going to change your life. That’s not the way it works here. You produce works that are exceptional and they probably do not enjoy circulation. So you still have to struggle for the same thing that you had to deal with. However, winning awards have a way of drawing more attention to your work.”
Supporting the writer, whose work is conditioned to win, he said, “in Nigerian context, the mileage that people get from awards is not commensurate with the profiles of the awards that’s where the problem lies. You will think that winning an NLNG Prize is like winning a Pulitzer or the big ones like The Man Booker that becomes life changing. I don’t think it is possible.”
The ward winning scholar and creative writer, added, “awards offer financial reward that supports you in an ever-demanding environment that shortchanges you, like struggling with rights and others. It can be a stimulant for further work.”
Otiono recognises these awards for spurring creative growth. “They are stimulant for creativity, for providing pecuniary needs that writers require to function in that case, they are desirable and I will support more of such awards,” he said.
Jude Idada, NLNG Prize nominee in 2014, has this to say: “I write about what interests me. If it wins an award, fine, if not, all good. The readership and assimilation of the message and theme is what is most important.”
He continued, “awards majorly influence some writers. But not me I am an artist through and through. For me awards are more for publicity and readership. It just gets people to know more about the title or book or theme or subject etc.”
Talking on young writers, whose craftsmanship is conditioned by award-winning mindset, Idada said, “If something or someone hasn’t won an award, they don’t give them any attention. When I meet them, that’s what they ask me. ‘Have you won any awards?’ it’s a plague.”
Winner of the NLNG Nigeria Literature Prize in 2013, Tade Ipadeola admitted, “there are themes, of course, that tend to fetch attention if the writer executes the work with a degree of passion and competence;” he, however, warned “it is always a bad idea for a writer to write for literary prizes or for a particular prize…If prizes come along the way, well and good.”
Instead of writing primarily to suit prize expectations, Ipadeola believes that writers should aim to create enduring works of art. His words: “A serious writer should aim to create a work of art that life itself would affirm. I say this because I know that some set out to win particular prizes. What is the use, if a work wins a prize today and isn’t part of the canon in a hundred years? Some of the greatest writers actually turned down literary prizes. Leo Tolstoy, Dennis Brutus, Sartre, Okigbo and a number of other really vital writers turned down important prizes at some point. Grand writing is its own reward, really.”
Raji, however, urged writers to create works that reflect their innermost expression as reaction to the world around and not be motivated by mercantilist drives.
He stated, “real writers don’t, should not write for prizes; real writers are those who produce the literary work as material of their innermost expression and as reaction to the world around them. They are not necessarily mercantilist; they do not compose fictionally in order to win: rather, prizes are established to affirm the quality of the work’s ingenuity.”
With reading habit at almost an all time low in the country coupled with the drive of writers to ‘break out’ and become stars, it is left to be seen if literary prizes will cease to dictate the themes and subject matters of what constitute the Nigerian literature in the foreseeable future.
Concluded

By: Jacob Obinna

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Need For Girl-Child Education In Society

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Girl-child education is a way by which a girl- child is being exposed through formal education for proper education.
It is a process whereby a girl-child is being exposed to some certain things according to “teachmit@wp”.
Girl-child education refers to the aspect of education that ends at developing the skills and knowledge of girls and women no matter their backgrounds.
Some parents think that educating a girl- child is wasting of their resources. No. When a female child is educated, it gives her that respect even the husband cannot treat her anyhow because he will know her worth.
The importance of educating the girl- child cannot be overemphasised. It helps to empower the country and makes them have a better life. Once they are educated, they realise the importance of exhibiting good hygiene habits.
It may interest you to know that when a girl-child is educated, she has a sense of belonging in the society. In Nigeria nowadays, they have the potential of becoming governors, chairmen of local government areas, among others.
The tendency of taking cognisance of the importance of reduction in child bearing is high. When a woman is educated, the level in which she will give birth will reduce considering the dangers inherent.
Firstly, she will calculate herself and know when to conceive, although with the consent of her husband and the numbers of children she wants.
A girl who is educated will know how to educate her children properly. She will be of good benefits to the family.
Truly, a girl who is not properly educated will suffer lack of knowledge, fall into early marriage which will lead into early pregnancy. Some of these can cause domestic violence.
Women need education because without proper knowledge, a woman cannot run her home properly. A woman that is educated leads her home aright.
Some men use and take advantage of uneducated women by rendering all kinds of abuses on them, some rape their wives in course of making love and others insults their wives in public all because there is no education. In life, males and females should be educated without discrimination.
Furthermore, educating a girl-child is like investing in a big business that one will not run into a loss.
According to Dr Shaifali, girls’ education is like sowing the seed which gives rise to a revitalised, cheerful and full-grown family plants.
She also said educated women have the capacity to bring socio- economic changes.
Growing up from the family of three, my father told me that he was not ready to train a female child and when I asked why, he said: ” because when you will grow and become great, then, a man will come from nowhere and marry you and all my money will be wasted. When you marry, your name will be changed that means all your riches and wealth will become your husband’s own because you people are one”.
Frankly, I was very bitter with myself and I started questioning God that why was I not created as man, but I took it upon myself that weather the devil likes it or not, I will prove my father wrong by going to school and I will show the difference.
As parents when training children we should not think less of any child because every child is important and have value.
Every child is a blessing from God. This is a clarion call to all men of our present society to accord their wives the respect they deserve. A man can develop his wife after marriage.
Education plays an important role in the life of a girl-child. Let every girl-child be educated. The government should provide the society with basic amenities such as good schools that are well-equipped.
Parents from time to time should be re-oriented in this regard taking cognisance of the importance of developing the girl-child. None should be misled by saying that the girl-child need not attend formal education.
Since some parents do not have the wherewithal to sponsor their children, governments at all levels should introduce free education to give room for equal opportunity. Bursary payment should be re-introduced in all higher educational institutions.
Education is the bedrock of any society therefore women education cannot end in the kitchen.

Princess Npapa
Princess Npapa is a student of Pan Africa Institute of Management and Technology.

 

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Celebrating Woman As An Icon Of Strength

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A woman is a dynamic multifaceted individual who embodies resilience, courage and determination.
She is a game changer and a force to be reckon with, a confidant empowered, supportive, adaptable and inspirational.
Many had asked why women are being celebrated even as recorded in calendar so frequently unlike men and I said, a woman being multifaceted and embodies resilience and determination is worth being celebrated unlike in the 80s when women were meant to understand that their place was in the kitchen of their husbands’ houses.
What an amazing level of development where women can choose a career and work on themselves and know that there is more to life than being in the kitchen and ending up in a man’s house with nothing to show for it.
Women are the strongest versions of the gender of humans in the world even in their silence, women hold a depth of emotions, questions and unspoken thoughts. Their smiles often conceal their true feelings, masking their fears, doubts and desires.
Despite these challenges, women continue to rise above, shattering glass ceilings and pushing boundaries.
Today innovative, women are enterprenuers, leaders, and change agents. Inspiring women like Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Chimamanda Adichie and many others have paved the way for future generation, their achievements serve as testaments to women’s strength, resilience and capabilities.
The calendar tell us how unique the woman is and her significance in the home and society at large. As a woman, she holds power and I celebrate every woman out there in the world irrespective of how you may have fallen, you shall rise above the challenges, support one another and celebrate collective strength and resilience.
Woman as an icon of strength is not just about individual achievements but creating supportive networks, uplifting others and celebrating collective success, defying expectations and redefining what it means to be a strong woman.
The strength and bravery of women are worthy of celebration by the entire world as none is unique as the epitome of nation builders, character molders and pacesetters not just in their family but to the society at large.
A woman is a selfless mother, lover and care giver to her family, a daughter who supports her parents, as a sister’s unshakeable bond with her siblings and a friends unconditional empathy and understanding.
These acts of kindness and love are not most times talked about but hold families and communities together and bonding strong women are powerful beings who have impacted the society, shaping the foundation of the world from the 80s to date, I personally want to celebrate all the icons of strength who had fought and are still fighting , that our voices as women are heard even unto the ends of time.
I celebrate you all amazing women for standing strong and paving ways for the future generation for equality, justice and human rights. To the rising child, teenager and adults who happen to be a ‘woman’, I celebrate our collective efforts, our strength in helping one another to rise, irrespective of our differences in our backgrounds.
We are super humans, unique beings, no wonder the Bible acknowledges the importance of our strength. Therefore, let’s celebrate every woman out there.

Kate Chisom Isiocha
Isiocha, is a student of Temple Gate Polytechnic.

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Children And Basics Of Family

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It is the idea of God that family should exit. Children form part of the family. God loves family so much that Jesus was born into the family of Joseph.
Everyone’s family is good and important. Children should not look down on their family whether they are rich or poor.
Children should respect and honour their family and foster love among their siblings. They should work together and make peace in the family. They should always stand in the gap. It is good for family members to carry all along since everyone may not be doing well.
The Christianity that children learn is practised in family. Faith-based organisations do a great job in moulding children’s character. Those are the behaviours that children exhibit towards siblings in family.
Every child born in a family is there for a purpose. A baby born into a family is supplying something. It may be joy, wealth and so on. Everyone is important in a family.
Adolescents who have graduated from school but may not be contributing financially can do one or two things at home. You can engage in preparing meals at home while parents are away for a job or business. Contributing in house chores will go a long way to relieve parents of stress after a day’s job.
What do you contribute to your family, especially during holidays both in nuclear and extended family?
The family you were born is constant but friends are temporary. You can decide not to continue in friendship but you cannot cut off your family. No matter how bad you think your family is and you decide to leave home, you must surely return. Your friends can harbour you for a while.
The child’s first identity comes from the family. What the child learns first comes from the family.
Family is the centre of love and care. People have started playing down on marriage because of neglect on basics of family. Marriage starts today and and the next few months, it is threatened. Respect for family plays a crucial role in marriage.
No child grows without parental control and influence. If a child refuses to grow without taking instructions from parents, he may grow up being wild. There are consequences when children do not obey their parents. There are those who want to be rebellious against their parents. They should know that their length of days are tied to their parents.
Your bioligical parents know you more than every other person. There is the wisdom and knowledge your parents have that you do not so it is proper to listen to them before choosing carriers both in academics and job. A young man or woman can choose who to get married to, but a greater role in the choice of who to marry and the marriage proper comes from the parents.
They know what is best for you. No matter how modern trends will influence you and prove it wrong, parent is the key. No one can love you more than your parents because they are your blood.
A lot of parents have been traumatised due to the fact that children they nurtured and trained turned their back on them at older age. Children should not abandon their parents for any reason.
As you grow up, situations may arise in marriage when you decide it is over with your spouse, but no matter the level of provocation with your parents, they will not despise you. Parents will also play a role in that regard. Problem arises in every family but how it is handled matters a lot.
Some children honour their mentors more than their parents. Although there are parents who shy away from their responsibilities. It is important that parents take full responsibility of their children. You cannot bring a child to the planet earth and refuse to perform roles as a parent. But parents may not quantify what they spent from childhood to adolescence. That is a blessing children cannot get from another person.
There are people who have attributed their failure in life to the fact that their parents, especially mothers are witchcraft. It is wrong to feel that your mother is instrumental to your failure in life. The only way to success is hardwork.
Let money not determine the level of love for your parents. Wherever a child goes, family is constant.

Eunice Choko-Kayode

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