By Yusuf Lekan
Abubakar Adam Ibrahim has just been announced the winner of the NLNG Nig Literature prize 2016, in an on-going Press conference.
Abubakar wins this year’s prize with his novel ‘Season of Crimson Blossoms’, published by Paressia books in 2015.
Critics had described this year’s fiction shortlist as the strongest in the history of the prize. Other finalists for the prize this year were Chika Unigwe, with her book ‘NightDancer’, and Elnathan John, with his novel ‘Born on a Tuesday’.
This prize, undoubtedly the biggest literature prize in Africa, is worth $100, 000.
The head of the judges for the NLNG Nig Literature prize, Prof Senanu described Ibrahim’s book as “a skillful and sympathetic narrative…” The Prof stated that the choice of this year’s winner was a unanimous one
Congratulations to him!
Speaking on the Prize for Science, the judges said there was no winner for this year because none of the entries were impressive enough. The fifteen (15) entries were said to be poor quality.
The judges however said they were impressed with the quality of entries for the literature prize, and would work towards improving the award by looking into the possibility of translations and indigenous language prizes.
Mr Kudo Eresia Eke of the NLNG said the company would continue with the prizes despite the nation’s economic situation.
The Book Fetch 