Port Harcourt, home of Nigeria LNG and UNESCO World Book Capital 2014, hosted the three writers vying for the 2024 Nigeria Prize for Literature to a Bookfest organised by the Rainbow Book Club and NLNG.
In this 20th year of the Nigeria Prize for Literature, the genre in focus is Children’s Literature and the three finalists are Uchechukwu Peter Umezurike, author of Wish Maker, Ndidi Chiazor-Enenmore, author of Father’s Pride and Olubunmi Familoni, author of The Road Does Not End.
The highlight of the evening was an interview with the authors by 10-year-old Miss Divine Moses and 14-year-old Master Chizorom Ogbuanu, moderated by Ibeleme Greene, a Barrister and Policy Consultant.
The General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Mr Andy Odeh, represented by Dr Sophia Horsefall, commended the Rainbow Book Club for their efforts in making this event happen yearly. Meanwhile, Koko Kalango, Rainbow Book Club founder, acknowledged the importance of the Nigeria Prize for Literature as she highlighted the link between low early literacy rates, crime and underdevelopment. In attendance was the Honourable Commissioner for Education, Dr. Ovy Chukwumah.
Guests were treated to rich entertainment: spoken word by 11-year-old Karena Okodo and her group as well as a Dance-Drama, One Language, by the Junior Active Playhouse, made up of children between the ages of 6 and 13.
In attendance, on Saturday 28th September, at the J-Signature Hotel, were the city’s literati, school children, pop culture stars, representatives of youth groups, government, corporate organisations, civil society and the media. A quiz around the NPL whose winners were rewarded, refreshed our minds on the details of Africa’s most prestigious literary prize.
The 2024 winner of the $100,000 at stake, will be announced at the Grand Award Night on October 11 in Lagos.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT THE PORT HARCOURT BOOKFEST
Well organised and quite a stimulating session
Dame Aleruchi Cookey-Gam, former Attorney General Rivers State
It was a well attended event and I enjoyed my stay there
O.C.J Okocha, former President, Nigeria Bar Association
Congratulations for doing a good job
Ibim Semenitari, former Managing Director, NDDC
The Rainbow Midas touch of excellence is very evident and refreshing.
Maxwell Maxi, Guest
Thank you for putting this together
Sam Dede, Filmmaker/Teacher/Trainer
It was indeed a most electrifying moment for literature in Port Harcourt.
Chief Adi Nwali
Chairman, Association of Nigerian Authors, Rivers State
It was a lovely, inspiring, memorable, captivating and fulfilling event which inspired many young and aspiring writers to take a first step and eat “that frog”
Prof. Ibiere Ken-Maduako
Chairman, Reading Association of Nigeria, Rivers State Chapter
