BENUE PRIZE FOR LITERATURE

 The much awaited award event for winners of the Benue Prize For Literature short story contest is here. Due to health protocols, and for convenience as popularly demanded, we resolved that this year's event would be an virtual gathering.  I invite you to join us on Zoom on Saturday the 27th of March 2021 as we listen to world class guest speaker Dr Victor Ishaya from the UK, and to the amazing Spoken Word Artiste Ms Miracle Philip. The event will be moderated by the very beautiful and gifted writer Ms Ene Ogaba. We're grateful to our team of erudite judges, Genius Youth Initiative and to the Team leader of the Benue Prize Group Mr Akpanga Ochoche TheGreat. Please do well to join us.  Click this link to join a WhatsApp group where the Zoom link would be dropped or you may request for the link from the number on the flyer. Join the Group Once again, congratulations to all participants, especially to the Winner Ms Bateye Lois and the top 20.

  Over the past few months, we have taken time to read, assess and enjoy your entries. Alot of the entries were beautifully written, hence the unease of crowning a winner. We received alot of entry forms, but not all were courageous enough to submit an entry story. For participating, please accept our congratulations. Once again,  even if you do not find your entry or your name on the top 20 entries, its not the end, there's more that we have in stock for everyone. The winning entry and the entire top 20 entries were carefully chosen by an elite class of writers and authors of high pedigree. Be reminded that the winner gets a N30,000 cash prize, while the four runners up will receive N5,000 each. All top 20 entries will be edited and featured in an Anthology which will be published. Royalties will accrue to contributors. Behold! The winner of the Benue Prize Short Story Contest 2020 is  1. THE TREE'S MESSAGE  written by Olukemi Bateye Lois The top runner up entries...

The Benue Prize Short Story Contest Shortlist of Top 34 entries. The indices used in scoring entries includes Vocabulary use, Plot, linguistic device, grammar, spelling, and Overall creativity.  These are entries that scored 60% and above. The  names are in no particular order. 1. A Tree's message by Olukemi L. Bateye  2. Casting off a pandemic at the edge of the world by Adaji Samuel Adoka 3. One more chance by Adeagbo Barakat  4. A glimpse at mother nature under the even sky by ADENIJI EMMANUEL  5. The Great lockdown 2020 by PADDY ADOGA OYIFIODA  6. Break Free by ANKELI EHI JESSICA   7. The familiar stranger by ESTHER EHI BENEDICT  8. Locked in the arms of pain by DOOSUUR J. AKULA  9. A Coronacious holiday to remember by ALOBU KELECHI EMMANUEL  10.  The Great Lockdown by OMINIRAN BUKOLA  11. She Thought It Was Love by KEZIAH GARBA 12. The travails of Two Pandemics by UBAH L. FAITH 13. Adewura by Olabisi Comfort Oluwabunm...

THE BENUE PRIZE FOR LITERATURE [The Lockdown edition] Purpose of Establishment . There is an urgent need to encourage young ones to read and write more, to build literary excellence for national development. It is on the above premise that the Benue Prize for Literature was established. The prize was initiated by Comrade Akpanga Ochoche, bestselling author of the much celebrated book: The Idoma Nativeland: Origin, Culture, Tradition & Politics The Benue Prize is organized in conjunction with The Genius Initiative and supported by AfroWriter's team Eligibility Participation in this maiden edition is limited to two categories namely: Undergraduates and Secondary School students (JSS 3 - SS 3). You must not be a writer before you can participate, once you're interested. Enjoy! In future, the contest will be open to other categories of writers/budding writers. Changes will be communicated in due time. Theme: The Great lockdown 2020 Stories may imbibe any o...

As Promised, the spotlight is on a selection​ of my friends who are amongst Nigeria's finest breed of young people committed to building our dear nation.  They're Respected Nation Builders. The spotlight is on a young man I met a little over 18 years ago when I attended my first class as a Jss 1 student in the then glorious Government Model Secondary School Otukpo. We had a serious fight a few days later; actually that was my first fight as a Secondary School student. Till this day we still argue who beat the other but I think it was a draw since none of our backs touched the ground neither did we cry. Lols His name is Ikape James-Favour Ikape Ikape James Ikape is the program manager of Elohim Development Foundation were he is responsible for the management and implementation of all programs, he ensures that projects are implemented within the confines of their objectives and intended impact and that activities bring about their intended outputs, while...

THE LAW OF SOWING AND REAPING I realised not so long ago that, giving truly increases receiving. I mean, the statement "Give and it shall be given unto you in good measure....." Is a very operational truth. It sounds ironic but for you to 'have' you must have to 'give'. Now, the problem is the understanding of what should be given. Must it always be money?? Many have confused others while alot of persons have allowed themselves to be confused because they do not seek the truth. In my little understanding, i would say that the law of sowing and reaping applies to 'giving'. Therefore, to get maize, you don't plant yam....You plant maize! To harvest abundant beniseed you must plant beniseed. Although, there are some instances of exchange that works; for example, a man with a lot of mortgage lost his job due to compulsory downsizing, his bills have made him lose his joy. Giving him a high paying job with with great prospects will give him ha...