Nigeria’s most Innovative telecommunication company, Etisalat Nigeria, has announced the names of the three shortlisted authors for the 2016 edition of its pan-African flagship literary prize, the Etisalat Prize for Literature.
According to this year’s Chair of Judges, Helon Habila
“In addition to originality of voice and literary excellence, our
purpose was to also select a work that portrays an “African
sensibility”.
The three shortlisted books are:
- Jacqui L’Ange (South Africa) The Seed Thief (Umuzi Publishers, South Africa)
- Jowhor Ile (Nigeria) And After Many Days (Kachifo Limited, Nigeria)
- Julie Iromuanya (Nigeria) Mr & Mrs Doctor (Coffee House Press, USA)
The authors were shortlisted by a three-member judging panel
comprising Nigerian novelist and poet, Helon Habila (Chair of Judges);
South African writer/activist, Elinor Sisulu; and Ivorian writer and Africa39 laureate, Edwige Renée Dro.
Commenting on the success of the 2016 Etisalat Prize for Literature, Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Matthew Willsher,
commended the judges for their diligence in selecting the top three
books out of the tens of titles that were received following the call
for entry.
Willsher reiterated Etisalat’s commitment to continuously having an
impact on the lives of Nigerians and indeed Africans by offering them
innovative products and services and more importantly a platform that
enables them to express their passion and creativity. “At Etisalat, we
have found the nexus between innovation and creativity. This is why we
give people the opportunity to express their individuality and ingenuity
so they can be the best in whatever they choose to do”, he enthused. He
further added that Sarah Ladipo Manyika will be joining other renowned
literary personalities as a patron of the prize.
The winner for the 2016 Etisalat Prize for Literature will be
unveiled at the Grand Finale in Lagos, scheduled to take place in March
2017. The winner of the Prize receives £15,000, an engraved Montblanc
Meisterstück pen, an Etisalat sponsored book tour to three African
countries as well an Etisalat-sponsored fellowship at the University of
East Anglia, mentored by Professor Giles Foden, author of The Last King of Scotland.
In addition, all the shortlisted writers will also enjoy a sponsored
multi-city book tour while Etisalat will also purchase 1,000 copies of
their books for distribution to schools, libraries and book clubs across
Africa with the objective of promoting the reading culture and the
publishing industry at large.
For more information about the Prize, visit http://prize.etisalat.com.ng/
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