Young Poets Shine as Wale Okediran @ 70 Poetry Competition Winners Emerge

 

WALE OKEDIRAN @ 70 POETRY COMPETITION WINNERS ANNOUNCED

 

The organizers of the Wale Okediran @ 70 Poetry Competition are pleased to officially announce the winners of the literary contest. The competition, which drew participation from young and talented Nigerian poets across the country, was established to honour the enduring literary contributions of Dr. Wale Okediran—renowned author, former National President of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), and current Secretary General of the Pan African Writers Association (PAWA).

Specifically designed for Nigerian writers under the age of 25, the Wale Okediran @ 70 Poetry Competition aims to discover and amplify new literary voices while celebrating the legacy of one of Nigeria’s foremost literary trailblazers. This year’s entries demonstrated not only the creative vitality of Nigerian youth but also their commitment to using literature as a means of expression, reflection, and advocacy.

The judging panel, chaired by Professor Mabel Evwierhoma of the Department of Dramatic Arts, University of Abuja, carefully reviewed the entries and shortlisted five outstanding works. She was supported by an esteemed panel which included Khalid Imam, an acclaimed poet and arts curator, and Akudo Nkemjika Okeke, a poet, screenwriter, and scriptwriter. The judges praised the submissions for their originality, emotional resonance, and thoughtful engagement with a wide range of themes.

After thorough deliberation, the winners were announced as follows: First Prize – “A Sojourner” by Abdulrazaq Godwin Omeiza; Second Prize – “Sambisa Girl” by Nwegbo Miracle; and Third Prize – “Wale Okediran, A Man of Healing Ink” by Abdulmumeen Humulkhair Olamipo. Two poets received Honourable Mentions: “A Bloom, A Breath and A Song” by Deborah Usak and “For Wale Okediran at 70” by Adegoke Oluwabukunmi.

Abdulrazaq Godwin Omeiza, winner of the First Prize, is a Senior Secondary School 2 student at Government College Ibadan. A budding poet, Abdulrazaq draws inspiration from his environment, teachers, and literary legends such as Niyi Osundare, Tade Ipadeola, Wole Soyinka, Chimamanda Adichie, and Dr. Wale Okediran himself. His poem “A Sojourner” reflects an insightful and mature poetic voice that impressed the judges.

Second Prize winner, Miracle Nwegbo, is a medical student at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University. In addition to being a poet, Miracle is also an essayist and photographer. He sees poetry as a powerful, melodic tool capable of social transformation. His prize-winning piece, “Sambisa Girl”, captures deep emotional themes through vivid imagery and heartfelt expression.

Abdulmumeen Humulkhair Olamipo, who won the Third Prize, hails from Ilorin, Kwara State, and is a penultimate student at the University of Ilorin. Her poem “Wale Okediran, A Man of Healing Ink” pays tribute to the celebrant with lyrical elegance and thematic depth. Known for weaving emotion into every stanza, Humulkhair continues to hone her poetic skills with great dedication.

To collect their prize certificates and monetary awards, the winners are kindly requested to contact the competition coordinator, Wole Adedoyin, via email at woleadedoyin@gmail.com. The organizers extend their gratitude to all participants and encourage them to continue nurturing their literary talents.

The Wale Okediran @ 70 Poetry Competition not only celebrates the legacy of a literary icon but also serves as a beacon of hope for the future of Nigerian literature. Through initiatives like this, the voices of the next generation of writers are being empowered, amplified, and given the recognition they deserve.