LOVE MUST BE CRAZY 3 BY Winlade Isreal

EPISODE THREE

It took me time before I became a full member of my new environment. There was always a senior in my room to get something. It was as if they knew the exact time I receive package from home. They would come one after the other to ask for their portion of the cake in tin. I was like Nigeria, where individuals go to the House to have their share of the national cake. I still wonder how overflowing the tears of Nigeria would be if I could feel pain in my heart like a spear finding its way through my skin over this small piece of provision my weekly marauders cart away.

It was break time. The short boy in SSS two had matched outside with his two hands clutching the bell and swinging it to and fro energetically. ‘Breaaaaak time!’ he announced to end all his abracadabra. I moved down to my Spot. The breeze blew calmly under the tree with a usual calmness which attracted me the very first day to the place. I had to name it my Spot. It was the only place which communicated a new feeling, a sense of belonging to BFGMSS, which made me accept the daily challenge while looking up to my era as one of the seniors of BFGMSS. My spot was going to be my palace, and the concrete seat my royal seat. The girth of the tree was enough to shade my palace. I imagined giving orders to JSS one boys to call a girl in SSS two B. The girl was beautifully endowed, she swung her hips to the rhythm of the wind and my heart danced the same way David did before the ark of God in Israel. I imagined what her name would sound like. Deborah. Yes! Mum would like a Christian. I remembered Cinder. The lady in my imagination looked exactly like her. I got angry with myself. It seemed I was denying a love I was feeling. I wished her voice could be heard around calling my name in her unique way; ‘CovnANT’. The breeze was really calm. A leaf dropped beside me. I picked it and rubbed my palms on it. I remembered I was Adeku Covenant and got disappointed. I imagined how disappointed Dad would be if he heard I had stopped observing my quiet time. I so much wished I was consistent but the breeze of the end time blowing right under the tree was immense. It was strange and happening for the first time in my life. At home, I always observed it. I didn’t want to imagine the excuses I would give Mrs Odidiomo when she calls to check how far my life is moving spiritually. I closed my eyes instantly, and muttered few words with utmost seriousness. God needed to understand me. It was the influence of the new environment. My lips danced while my firmly closed eyes fastened my concentration. After few minutes, I opened my eyes to see the Priest before me. His face wore a mischievous smile. I felt like stabbing him. But, there was no knife. If there were, I am sure I wouldn’t have tried stabbing him because God will be angry at me for killing the creator he created even though the creator is making life unbearable for me.

‘‘O boi!,’’ he said with a bossy look. I remembered our first contact. He had introduced himself as the Priest. Making reference to the house of Levi. I didn’t understand the relationship between him and the Levites, but I knew he was the collector of first offering of every freshmen of BFGMSS.

‘‘Good morning sir’’ I didn’t know how the statement dropped out of my mouth. He looked at me mockingly, and moved his left hand toward the right and touched the watch on his wrist. I checked the watch on my wrist too, it was 15 minutes past 1. I got up and ran to class. He followed me with a swift race. As I ran, I knew he was soon going to catch up with me but I continued. I wanted to try till no way was available to escape his wrath. He is my senior but shouldn’t treat me as if I am in prison or the street. I was ready to do whatever he demanded except this. I have never told anyone. Maybe my Mum would listen. Nobody was going to understand because, I think, is made for just me to know. The compound was already emptied of noise, the field was vacant while only the movement of branches of trees orderly dotting the compound could entertain bystanders and the security roaming the compound. I was exhausted. My classroom was a step closer just the same way he was a step closer to grab my knickers at the waist and drag me like a criminal to his class to face panel. 

THE ASANTE WARRIOR QUEEN

The history of Africa is, without an iota of doubt, spiced with courageous stand of its women at one particular period of history or the other. Abraham Lincoln had given two types of people that witness the making of history. He referred to some as spectators and some other as players. Nana Yaa Asantewaa proved herself as a player in the making of history and today, her name is written in gold for generations.
Yaa Asantewaa lived from October 17, 1840 to October 17, 1921. She was queen mother of Ejisu in the then Ashanti Empire- now part of the modern-day Ghana, appointed by Nana Akwasi Afranwe Opese, her brother who was ruler of Edwesu. In 1900, she led Ashanti war, otherwise known as the War of the Golden Stool or Yaa Asantewaa war which was against british colonialism. The British governor-general of the Gold Coast, Frederick Hodgson had demanded the Golden Stool which stood as the symbol of the Asante nation after deporting King Asante Pampeh I, her grandson to the Seychelles. She became regent of the Ejisu-Juaben district afterward. The request of the British representative led to a secret meeting of the remaining Asante government in Kumasi to discuss on how to process the return of their king. During this meeting, Yaa Asantewaa stood and addressed the people present;
 ‘‘Now I have seen that some of you fear to go forward to fight for our king. If it were the brave days of Osei Tutu, Okomfo Anokye and Opuku Ware I, chiefs would not sit down to see their king taken without firing a shot. No white man could have dared to speak to the Chief of Asante in the way the governor spoke to you chiefs this morning. Is it true that the bravery of Asante is no more? I cannot believe it. It cannot be true! I must say this: if you, the men of Asante, will not go forward, then we will. I shall call upon my fellow women. We will fight the white men. We will fight   till the last of us falls on the battle field.’’

She was later chosen as the war leader of the Asante force. No wonder the British referred to her as ‘Joan d’Arc of Africa’ (the young lady who led France to victory during the hundred years war with England). She was later captured and exiled in Seychelles where she died.

No woman is known in the history of the African to have reacted to European power as she did. She defied the men of her time by calling for a war they have been shying away from. She led them without thinking about her life. She is absolutely an embodiment of bravery. This her act justifies the valour of women in the face of suppression. Africa will forever remember her children whose blood, the soil drank during the violent period of colonisation.

LOVE MUST BE CRAZY

EPISODE TWO
Children church was a place I loved to be. As the only begotten son of Pastor Adeku, whose birth was surrounded by circumstances relatable to that of Samuel in the Bible, I found time, as mandated, to read the Bible every day. By the time I was seven, I could narrate many of the stories the same way my father did every Sunday on the altar. They were so engraved in my head that all the Bible Quiz I participated in could not but testify to my knowledge of God’s word. This convinced Mum that I was going to go through the fire of immorality believed to be blazing in BFGMSS and still come out unhurt. If Joseph could resist Potiphar’s wife, then it can’t be like a camel trying to pass through the hole of the needle for me. Pastor Adeku maintained his stand. He still believed a school abroad, in Oxford preferably, would have been better. But, he buried his lips in silence. They dared not dance lest a scene is created to satisfy the urge of an audience for pleasure. He had to submit to the will of his woman who refused to give a logical reason for her decision.
BFGMSS was definitely the best school. It was the pride of the nation. Telling people your alma mata is BFGMSS commanded a sort of respect many found only in their imagination. Everybody wanted their children in its classroom. Even the poor dreamt of it. But, they will only dream until death swallows their dream. A poor man shouldn’t aspire what is in-between the palms of money bags. A well tarred road made it easy for cars to make it into the heart of the school. Flowers, neatly trimmed beautified both sides of the road and made the air pleasant. The well-trimmed flowers planted to make letter B, F, G, M, S, S just beside the security post spoke audibly of the creativity its students are known for. The Security wore an immaculate shirt smartly thrust in a well-ironed blue trouser over a soldier-like black booth sparkling with polish. On the badge on his left chest, KING’S GUARDED was boldly written. His dressing differed from the uniform wore by the Peace Corp that assured security at Baptist Grammar School, Akinlalu. I expected a serene environment. I was not disappointed. The breeze blew with gentleness which hid the true colour of young boys and girls sojourning in the land. Uncle Daniel drove me straight to the place which were to be my new domicile away from crisis. It was worth the pay. The senior students were moving about the building, some staring at I don’t know what on me while new comers stood beside their parents or parents’ driver looking left and right like a lost boy examining the new environment he found himself with a curious mind. I looked up to have a glance of the building painted blue. ‘WELCOME TO PEACE HOSTEL’’ was boldly written at the entrance. After my clearance, the porter called on J.B to lead me to Room 16. J.B engaged me throughout the small journey to my new room. He was surprised and counted himself lucky to have met the son of a renowned pastor. It means one day in the future, he could meet him personally for his hands to dust away all the generational curses that have been running after him like dogs. The room was different from that of BODIJA. We were four in a room, everybody had a locker at their individual corner, and one had to trek a little out of the room to use the toilet or have a bath. I neatly arranged my stuff, especially provisions in my locker and thereafter locked it with the padlock Aunty Ajoke had given me. The only boy I met in the room laid silently on his bed watching me in a furtive manner. He shouldn’t be one or two years older than me. But, I bet that he would beat me if we were to fight. I noticed that he paid more attention to my bag than my face which has always generated trust. Uncle Daniel left after getting all the details necessary for his report before Pastor. I wondered what the boy could still be staring at after everything had been packed into the locker. I checked what was left in my bag and found my watch. It was the watch Pastor Samson, an assistant pastor in our church gifted me during my eighth birthday. This guy hein… I thought for a while. I kept my things as secured as possible and laid down on my bed.
‘‘Young boy,’’ I heard the thick voice when my eyes started closing sounding like a thunder in the middle of the night. I jumped up troubled. ‘‘No cause for alarm, Butty,’’ he grinned. It was a senior boy. I later found out he called himself Hunter. He had come to hunt me. Denis, my roommate said he is the landlord of the hostel and so requests a remuneration for lording the house. He looked weird with a thick line standing on each of his cheeks. If we were to look at his face, he seemed to carry number 11 on his face.  He looked like a sinner and I felt I should pray for him, or preach to him so I will get rid of his terrorism. But, I shrugged away the feeling. I handed over the key to him. He made his choice but the choice was too expensive. He picked two tins of Milo and six tins of Peak Milk. He was about giving back the key to me when something in the locker flashed his eyes. He checked back. ‘‘Wow! You have my favourite, I love Fibre Active,’’ he said with joy. His harvest was bountiful where he didn’t sow. He left with half of the carton. Tears formed in my eyes. They flew down like a running stream but he didn’t care. He was happy for the quantity of his plunders. He promised to come back and visit me after saying he was going to be my school father whether I liked it or yes. Anxiety descended on me. I was scared of my new environment. I wanted to report to the porter but Denis told me so many things. The things made my tongue powerless to speak. I discovered so many things I can’t afford to survive under. He said whenever anybody, especially a senior student, ask anything from me, I should give with a smiling face even if the heart is weeping. I was thinking of informing Mum when the Priest came in. He came for the newcomer offering…
   

Women warriors of Dahomey

DAHOMEY AMAZONS
The Dahomey Amazons, also called N’Nonmiton (which means ‘‘our mothers’’ in Fon), were a Fon military regiment which comprised women in the old kingdom of Dahomey situated in the present-day Republic of Benin. The regiment existed till the end of the nineteenth century when Africa came in contact with colonialism.
The female soldiers were recruited from foreign captives, free Dahomian women while some enrolled at a tender age- as early as 8 years old. There is another account which narrates that N’Nonminton were also recruited from the palace, the ahosi (king’s wives). Some of these women became soldiers voluntarily while some were forcefully enrolled as a result of their rude behaviour.

They spent most of their time in training which involved; wrestling, target practice, obstacle races, large scale simulated attacks, forest trails and initiation in the bush which lasted several days. They also went through several religious rituals by reciting magical incantations to increase their magical strength, wearing of protective amulets and also consulting Bokovon, the seer, who guided them.
They are known to be valorous and never relenting in battles unlike men soldiers who were often punished for fleeing from battle. They are a personification of courage. The havoc they unleashed in Abeokuta during the Egba-Dahomey war in 1851 proved the fact that they were women who could challenge the power of men by reaching their status other than subject themselves to domestic works at home.

They were ferocious, muscular and highly skilled in the way they handled their victims by torturing and decapitating them. They were able to endure pain for a long time that only their bosom proved their femininity. Their undying bravery served them in resisting the French troops during the colonial conquest. No wonder a representation of N’Nonmiton featured in ‘Black Panther’ by making the army comprise fearless women who are ready to sacrifice their life in defending their nation.

LOVE MUST BE CRAZY by Winlade Isreal

EPISODE ONE

EPISODE ONE
Anytime I remember my days in children church, I ponder on how I crossed from the lane of decency to that of promiscuity. Buchi Federal Government Mixed Secondary School was greatly revered for its destiny-changing craft. When I was admitted as the only boy, though the youngest out of over hundred other candidates in my church’s zonal association to proceed to drink from the golden cup springing intellectual wisdom from its buildings, my father became troubled instead of exuding an endless joy for the pride I just brought to the family.
Being the General Overseer of Plead My Case, Oh Lord Praying Ministry (PMCOLPM), Pastor Adeku preferred a school where his only begotten son could be free from worldly influence. BFGMSS, really was the school that topped the list of schools he never wished to dream for his son who has been destined to take up the torch of faith to light the world and erect an unbreakable wall on the foundation already laid for PMCOLPM to grow in all the corners of the earth. BFGMSS is not a bad school. It is, to say nothing but the truth, a leading learning institution which has bagged several national, continental and intercontinental awards of excellence. If not for the epidemic of immorality which painted the school a black sheep in 2005, it would have been the most sought secondary institution in the world. More than 30000 applications are submitted every blessed year out of which two thousand applicants are admitted. Barr. Isaac, my father’s friend refused to believe this statistics. But, after much thought and analysis, he was forced to agree it could be true. In Nigeria was one of the best schools in the world, a public school which belongs to the children who walks as friends of the masses with power tucked in their agbada. The academic excellence the school has been nurturing consistently wooed my mum but the eminence of immorality and worldliness in the school discouraged Dad. He wanted a decent boy in whom the fear of the Lord could find a temple to occupy.
The school was still redeeming its name with promises of a better academic society where students are not only brilliant but cultured when I made the shortlist of the few chosen ones out of the multitude who looked up to be chosen.
‘Your son deserves a lot of accolades,’ Mum said at the dining that night to announce the good news she had anticipated to dad.
‘What has he done this time?’ quizzed Dad looking curious. ‘Is it because of his hard work in the kitchen?’ he joked.
‘He is a hardworking Nigerian. I am proud to be the mother of a student of BFGMSS,’ she said with her shoulders raised high to fly her pride.
‘That’s good. But, the school is not the plan of God for his life.’
‘Is that God speaking or you?’
‘Whether me or God, my decision is final!’
‘That is not right. He is your son and I am his mother’’
‘I have spoken and my word is final’
‘We shall see who owns the farm between the hunter setting trap and the targeted game,’ Mum said defiantly.
The family dinner ended in dispute as it had been several times. I wished it ended the way it began. I was wrong for praying when the agents who would prove the potency of my prayer are stubborn hearted, always rigid, calling for war in the face of peace.
Everybody, including Aunty Ajoke knew why Dad developed a strong will in this matter. It was the fight at a birthday party in the school that claimed two lives. The party, as newsmen reported, metamorphosed to a fight when the floor was cleared for dance. Juokwu had brought Aminat just to serve him for the night. But, at the party, Suleiman, the son of the Honourable Minister of Justice used his influence as the Badoo of his goons to get Aminat from the seat beside Juokwu to his custody. He rocked her, danced with her with his mind focused on the end goal- the main exercise slated for the after party. Juokwu admitted it was a slap on his personality and determined not to just rub his cheeks and shift his gaze off the issue. He gathered his friends and challenged Suleiman. Suleiman had no time for argument. He believed in action. No wonder they called him Abacha. He was always ready to crush any insect that appeared on his mortar. This night people thought it would be a usual physical combat. But, it turned out to be a bloody one which served the grave with two lives. Dad counted this story several time to Mum. But, her ears were already deaf to everything he said. If there were something that could cure her deafness, it was going to be the approval of Pastor. He feels the freedom given to students to organise a birthday party was costly. She reminded him how they had thought me the way of the Lord since birth and quoted the Principal. ‘Appropriate measures have been put in place to make sure adequate security is guaranteed,’ he had said during his interview on NTA.
When Dad became too stubborn to listen to the words Mum repeated as if she was sounding a particular number of hallelujah in church, I got fed up of his character and wished not to ever be like him. Aside the respect, fame and financial beauty he possessed, there were a lot of things I didn’t pray to have in common with him. Many people knew him only as the General Overseer of PMCOLPM. Nothing more beyond that. Maybe they can also recite his profile; how he rose from the mire to the rock. But, I knew a lot about him. For that, I wanted a break from a warring home.

Meet the Nigerian Doctor who removed 23 weeks hold baby from mother's womb

Meet the U.S.A based Nigerian Doctor, a graduate of College of Health sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Dr. Oluyinka Olutoye, who removed a baby from mother's womb at 23 weeks old, successfully operated the baby (removed a tumor) and returned it back into the mothers womb and the baby was delivered healthy at 36 weeks.

TOP EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS

In this present day of extreme competition in the labour market, it is important as a graduate or undergraduate to take note of the following skills. These skills are meant to boost your employability skills as you take your time to develop yourself in areas which you need to develop yourself.
1. Communication
Communication is basically how you communicate with other people. It could be oral or written. It requires a lot of confidence when addressing people, be it face-to-face or over the phone. Also, writing a well understandable memos or emails is very important to rate your communication skills.
You can improve your communication skills through these ways:
-Include writing of assignments and reports as part of your studies
-Blogging or using social media like Facebook, Twitter etc
-Include oral presentations as part of your class work
- Intern in customer service company(for face-to-face or on the phone)
-Volunteer to host a community radio program.
2. Teamwork
Teamwork is working with other people. A popular dictum says we need each other to survive. This means you need a teamwork for success in an organization.
The following are ways you can improve your teamwork ability:
-Participate in group assignments while studying
-Volunteer to work with others in a community organisation
-Participate in sporting activities like football, basketball, handball etc
3. Problem-solving
Ability to solve problems is one of the most outstanding skills of a 21st century employee. Companies are out there looking for people who have solutions at hand.
Ways you can harness your problem solving skills include:
-Making research on your field and other fields
-Dealing with complaints at your place of work
-Register for a study skills course that looks at problem solving
-Ask questions from people on how they solve their problems
4. Initiative and enterprise
Initiative and enterprise deals with how creative you can think to improve existing things. Also, they involve looking beyond what is being presented. That is, the bigger picture.
Following are ways you can improve your initiative and enterprise:
-Apply for work placement or internships in organisations and businesses
-Set up a fundraiser in your community
-Suggest new ways of doing things to organisations or groups you belong.
5. Planning and organising
How well you can plan and organise events, meetings and programs will tell on getting your dream job. It is all about getting things done, things required to get them done and how to get them done, particularly without breaching the deadline.
The following are ways you can improve on your planning and organising skill:
-Develop a study timetable and stick to it.
-Organis a journey to a particular place independently
-Manage well your time around work, study and family commitments
-Contribute in organising a community event in your locality
-Do chores regularly around your home.
6. Self-management
Self management is being disciplined enough to do things the right way without being monitored within the stipulated deadline.
Following are ways you can improve your self-management skills:
-Do a work experience placement or internship
-Request for new responsibilities at work
-Develop a study schedule and stick to it
-Join a voluntary organisation.
7. Learning
It is popularly said that learning is a continuous thing. You must be able to learn new things, relearn about somethings and unlearn somethings.
Following are ways you can improve your learning ability:
-Apply for a short course offline or online.
-Make research into learning skills and learner types
-Develop a reading habit
8. Technology
In this fast emerging world of technology, an employee is required to have technology skills which include; operating a computer, being able to use software programs like Microsoft office, Excel or spreadsheet and also photocopier.
Following are ways you can improve your technology skill:
-Register for a short course offline or online
-Request extra training at work
-Finding out the relevance of technology in the job of your choice and make research on how excellent you can perform
-Identify software programs you can efficiently use.

THE CAINE PRIZE FOR AFRICAN WRITING

Eligibility

Unpublished work is not eligible for the Caine Prize.
Submissions should be made by publishers only.
Only fictional work is eligible.
Only one story per author will be considered in any one year.
Submissions should specify which African country the author comes from and the word count.
We require 6 copies of the work in its originally published version.
If the work is published in a book or journal, we would like to receive at least one copy of the book / journal and five photocopies; but particularly where several stories are submitted from one anthology we would like if possible to receive six copies of the book / journal itself.
If the work is published online, we would like to receive six photocopies.
Please note that works which do not conform to the criteria will not be considered for the prize. Please do not waste your own time and postage by sending in material which is unsuitable. Works not eligible for entry include stories for children, factual writing, plays, biography, works shorter than 3000 words and unpublished work. If you are not sure whether your work is eligible, please email us for advice on info@caineprize.com

How do I apply?

There is no application form. To apply please send six original published copies of the work for consideration to the Caine Prize office including a letter from the publisher.

If the work is published in a book or journal, we would like to receive at least one copy of the book / journal and five photocopies; but particularly where several stories are submitted from one anthology we would like if possible to receive six copies of the book / journal itself.
If published in a magazine or journal we will accept one original copy plus five photocopies, but would prefer six original copies.
If the work is published online, we would like to receive six printed copies.
Address and post the eligible submission to:
Lizzy Attree, Director

The Caine Prize for African Writing
51 Southwark Street
London
SE1 1RU

AMAZING FACTS YOU DON'T KNOW ABOUT AFRICA

-The African continent has the second largest population in the world, at about one billion people.

-Over one thousand languages are spoken by the people of Africa. Some estimates put this number closer to two thousand.

-The largest religion in Africa is Islam, followed by Christianity.

-The African population is approximately 14.72% of the world's population (as of 2009).

-The oldest human remains ever discovered were found in Ethiopia. They are approximately 200,000 years old.

-The longest river in the world, the Nile (4,132 miles), is located in Africa.

-Africa has the world's largest desert, the Sahara, which is almost the size of the United States.

-Victoria Falls is the largest waterfall in Africa; it is 355 feet high and one mile wide.

-Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain on the continent. It towers over 19,300 feet, which is so tall that glaciers can be found at its summit even though the mountain is near the equator.

-Madagascar is the largest island in Africa and the fourth largest island in the world. It is in the Indian Ocean off the East coast of Africa.

-Africa is the second largest continent on earth, approximately 11.7 million square miles.

-Africa straddles the equator and is the only continent to extend from the northern temperate zone to the southern temperate zone.

-Africa is the hottest continent on earth.

-Sudan is Africa's largest country (968,000 square miles).

-Africa covers 6 percent of the earth's total surface and 20.4 percent of the total land area.

-Cairo is the continents largest city.

-Long before humans were around (the early Mesozoic Era) Africa was joined to the other continents in a massive continent called Pangaea. Over millions of years this huge continent broke apart shaping the world landscape as we know it today.

-The worlds largest land animal is the African elephant.

-The worlds tallest animal, the giraffe, lives in Africa.

-The fastest land animal in the world, the cheetah, lives in Africa.

-Africa is home to the worlds largest reptile, the Nile crocodile.

-The gorilla, which can be found in the continents jungles, is the worlds largest primate.

AMAZING THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT PEOPLE BORN IN JANUARY

AMAZING THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT PEOPLE BORN IN JANUARY



1. They are the funniest people

People born in January have a natural sense of humour. They have the ability to crack the best of jokes and make everyone laugh with their wits and charm. People often misunderstood them, but their intention is never to hurt anyone. They might sound a little offensive and that’s how they appear.



2. They are Powerful

They are most powerful and bossy people. They have the capability of being leaders and you can often see them leading the group. Their personality is such that they aspire others to be like them.



3. Natural born leaders

They have the ability to handle any kind of job alone. They don’t trust anyone, so they don’t allow people to help them and take all the burden of the work with themselves. They just want their work done their way because they believe no one can do it better than them.



4. They are Youthful

People born in this month are mature and wise people, but they learn all the youthfulness from others. They would only love to appear the best version of them.



5. They don’t express love easily

People born in this month are cold as ice and as well as detached people. They have difficulties in expressing love. At the beginning of the relationship, their partners must be ready to face the hurt given by them. But as the time passes they will realize and know the real meaning of love.



6. They don’t react to nonsense

People born on this month are reserved and serious people. If people ask them any nonsense questions, they will silently avoid them. In other words, they are wise enough to avoid any nonsense/stupid questions.



7. Be ready to face the weird moments with them

If you are in touch with people born in January then be ready to face the weird moments with them. They do crazy stuff when they want to have fun and can give you a real high of excitement and fun. You can’t get bored with these cheerful people.



8. They are crazy party lovers

People born in January are party freaks. They don’t need any reason to party because they just want to have fun and enjoy the company of others. All they want is good music and they will be in mood to party.



9. They have high standards

January born personalities have unthinkable high standards. They don’t necessarily want the expensive clothes or the brand new car, but they want the people who have moral values, who are honest and real. The wages doesn’t fascinate them.



10. They are great secret keepers

They can be wild enough to keep their secrets within themselves and due to this, people around them will never get to know what is going on inside their head. They can get very well along with people and transform themselves according to the situation or people who they’re with.



So, if you are in touch with people born in January then be ready to face the craziest, weirdest and hilarious moments of your life.

CALL FOR ENTRIES : NIGERIAN STUDENTS POETRY PRIZE(NSPP)2018

CALL FOR ENTRIES: NIGERIAN STUDENTS POETRY PRIZE (NSPP) 2018

Nigerian Students Poetry Prize (NSPP) is an initiative of Poets in Nigeria (PIN) designed to stimulate creativity, promote literary excellence and broaden the concept of intellectualism among Nigerian undergraduates. Since inception in 2016 at the Students’ Union Building, University of Ibadan, the prize has received over 1000 entries from students drawn from over 100 tertiary institutions, cementing its place as the nation’s foremost poetry platform for students.

The 3rd edition of the prize opens for submissions from 15th January to 28th February, 2018. Building on the success of the 2017 edition of the awards ceremony hosted by University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (UNEC), winners of the 2018 edition will be awarded in May at Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu. Previous winners of the prize include Noah Oladele (Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife), Chinelo Nwangwu (University of Ibadan) and Chisom Okafor (University of Nigeria, Nsukka) in 2016; Bakre Fadil Adedamola (University of Ibadan), Ajah Henry Ekene (University of Benin) and Bona Solomon (University of Ibadan) in 2017.

Aside rewarding the top three entrants who also double as prize winners with a total cash prize of ₦300,000, the top 100 entrants will be featured in a globally distributed anthology.

PRIZES

1st Prize – ₦150,000
2nd Prize – ₦100,000
3rd Prize – ₦50,000

• The 2018 edition of the prize is sponsored by Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu.

ELIGIBILITY

• Open to all Nigerian undergraduates studying in Nigeria and the diaspora.
• Entrants must be from a recognized tertiary institution.

GUIDELINES

• Submissions are to be made at https://nspp.poetsinnigeria.org.ng, with strict adherence to the instructions thereon.
• Poems must be original, intellectual property of the entrants.
• An entrant is entitled to a single entry of 30 lines maximum.
• There are no fixed themes.
• Entries submitted must be previously unpublished. A submission discovered to have defaulted on this rule will be automatically voided (inclusive of winners).
• All entrants are expected to purchase either one or both editions of the anthology of the top 100 entries uploaded on the submission portal.
• Under no condition will the judges’ decision be challenged.
• Entering for the contest gives PIN automatic right to make use of entries as deemed appropriate.
• Entries must be written in English. Native terminologies must be translated in English as footnotes.
• Entrants should subscribe to www.poetsinnigeria.org.ng for regular updates.

For enquiries, contact the moderator – Phone: +2347034847164; Email: poetsinnigeria@gmail.com.

Submission Deadline: 28th February, 2018

Kolade Olanrewaju Freedom
Moderator, NSPP 2018