The Rainbow Book Club, a literacy campaign organisation and the project managers behind Port Harcourt UNESCO World Book Capital 2014, is in full swing with preparations to host the three writers who came tops for the 2023 Nigeria Prize for Literature.
In collaboration with the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), the sponsors of this prestigious literary award, the Port Harcourt Book Party is set to take place on Sunday, September 17, 2023, at Hotel Presidential, commencing at 2pm.
The Rainbow Book Club, which is also in charge of the Garden City Literary Festival (renamed the Port Harcourt Book Festival) said the event will feature readings, reviews, dance-drama, prizes, and dinner in an atmosphere of artistic excellence and high-level networking, the Club revealed.
Themed Conversations in the Garden, “The choice of Port Harcourt to host the final shortlists before an eventual winner is announced is strategic, given the pivotal role the Garden City plays in the Nigerian oil and gas sector,” said Koko Kalango, founder, Rainbow Book Club.
“Last year when we hosted the finalist poets here, the atmosphere was phenomenal. As we gear up to give the three exceptional playwrights an unforgettable experience in their creative career, along with the hospitable people of Rivers State, we look forward to having these writers in Port Harcourt, home to NLNG, sponsors of the $100,000 Nigeria Prize for Literature,” Kalango further stated.
A Book Party for the 11 longlists was held by the Committee for Relevant Art in conjunction with the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) on August 9, 2023 at the Shell Zenith Bank Hall, MUSON Centre, Onikan Lagos.
Andy Odeh, general manager, external relations and sustainable development, Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG) announced the long-awaited shortlist for Africa’s biggest literary prize on August 29, 2023.
The books on the shortlist include: Obari Gomba’s Grit, The Ojuelegba Crossroads by Abideen Abolaji Ojomu, and Yamatarawala—The Warrior King by Henry Akubuiro.
The panel of judges of the shortlist, ‘these plays stand tall in terms of dramatology, language, performance, story and structure’. The Advisory Board for the $100,000 prize is made up of professors; Ahmed Yerima, Olu Obafemi and chaired by Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo.
Instituted in 2004, the NPL alternates between four genres of prose, poetry, drama and children’s books. This year, the genre is drama. From a total of 143 entries, a longlist of 11 emerged on July 20, 2023. On August 29, 2023 a shortlist of three was announced. The winner will be announced on October 13, 2023 at a ceremony in Lagos.