The CORA-NLNG Prize Book Party Was an Evening to Remember

August 28, 2019

Although the general misconception is that writers and book lovers are boring people, the CORA-The Nigeria Prize for Literature Book Party 2019 is proof of how untrue that is.

On the 28th of July, 2019, Shell Hall at The MUSON Centre in Lagos was packed with guests who had come to spend an afternoon with the 11 authors whose books were shortlisted for the 2019 Nigeria Prize for Literature, an initiative of Nigeria LNG, NLNG.

The event was organized by the Committee for Relevant Arts (CORA). It kicked off with cultural dances from different groups, made up of mainly children and teenagers. Excerpts from each of the shortlisted books were read by children whose oratory skills were impressive, especially considering the fact that they were selected at the venue and had no prior knowledge! The guests joined in the conversation with questions bordering around how each book was created, the author’s next books and the books’ themes. The event was fun and memorable.

A shortlist of 3 authors will be announced in September 2019. We will share more updates as they come, so keep checking!

In the meantime, enjoy these lovely photos.

Meet the Authors

9 out of the 11 long-listed authors were present at the event while the other 2, Dunni Olatunde (author of Mystery at Ebenezer Lodge) and O.T. Begho (author of The Great Walls of Benin) joined via skype from Canada and St Kitts & Nevis respectively.

Anote Ajeluorou:

Anote is the author of Igho Goes to Farm. When asked why he used a farm, he said:

I am relieving my childhood experience. Going to the farm at that time was a form of punishment for me, but in reality, it isn’t. The village offers something unique that isn’t in the city. Most children do not know how maize, yam, etc, look. The main character, Igho, takes on a different experience. He is excited and encourages his siblings to go to the farm instead of Disneyland.

Jude Idada

Jude is the author of Boom Boom. He said that he always aims to write stories that are multi-layered. In his book, he addresses sickle cell from the physical, emotional and mental angles.

Jude is presently working on a sickle cell foundation and aims to do his bit in changing the identity from ‘sickler’ to sickle cell warrior.

Ndidi Chiazor-Enenmor

Ndidi is the author of A Hero’s Welcome. She said that moonlight stories have always enthralled her, and served as inspiration for her book.

Oladele Medaiyese

Oladele, author of She Calls Him Daddy whose book tells the story of Julia, a young girl who lives with her mother and step-father. Julia is unfortunately molested by her step-father, who threatens her to make her keep quiet. This book chronicles the ordeal of what most children face in today’s world and offers them the power to speak out.

Anisa Daniel-Oniko

Anisa is the author of Double ‘A’ for Adventure. There are a lot of fascinating things about her, most obvious of which is her age; she is 10 years old, the youngest to make the shortlist in the history of The Nigeria Prize for Literature. Another fascinating thing about her is that she is home-schooled.

I like to read fantasy and adventures, so in my book, I tried to find a way to merge both to develop my story.

Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani

Adaobi is the author of Buried Beneath the Baobab Tree, a book of 330 pages which is written in a documentary style. Adaobi’s book is centered around the issue of Boko Haram in northern Nigeria.

With this book, I tried to capture my experiences working as a journalist working in the North East of Nigeria. During this time, I met with women who had been captives of Boko Haram militants, and some young men captured by the militants. It’s non-fiction masquerading as a fiction work.

Nnenna Ochiche

Nnenna is the author of Ginika’s Adventures, a six-chapter book filled with different illustrations, which tells the story of Ginika, an introverted girl who uses the power of observation to help others.

Lami Adejoh Opawale

Lami is the author of Spurred Surprises. The lead characters in her book are all females. She hopes to promote national unity through her work.

Nkiru Uzoh

Nkiru is the author of Obioma: A Girl’s Journey to Self-Discovery. Her book addresses the inferiority complex of a child. Nkiru believes that positive affirmation helps a lot, so she is using her book to pass that message across to children.