A total of 173 prose fiction works by Nigerian writers at home and abroad are in the race for The Nigerian Prize for Literature 2016 edition. This marks the beginning of another circle of the four-year rotation of the prize among the four literary genres — prose, poetry, drama and children's literature.
The prize, worth $100,000, was announced last week at a media briefing held by the Advisory Board and Bonny Island-based sponsors of the prize, Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Company, allafrica.com reported.
Communications and Public Affairs Manager Tony Okonedo said his company has been vindicated in instituting the 12-year-old prize to add a measure of excellence to Nigerian life.
As he put it, "over the last 12 years, we've made no mistake in awarding the prize on the basis of excellence, as excellence and integrity have been the watchword for the prize. With the 173 entries received, we have a robust and thorough competition".
Okonedo commended the Advisory Board made up of professors Ayo Banjo (chairman), Ben Elugbe and Jerry Agada for its steadfastness and support, adding, "The board has been a rock of support for the prize."
The chairman also canvassed for literature to be made a staple in Nigeria's dietary system, noting that literature can help in the fight against corruption in its humanizing values, "Our country needs the cultural reinforcement this prize offers. How has all our wealth been used? We hear mind-bogging sums that are alleged to have been stolen everyday. So, you need cultural reinforcement and morality in terms of good conduct and good conscience in the people who run the affairs of state for more transparency. That good conduct that modifies behavior is what consumption of literature can bring to any society."
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