The hall was full to capacity with an overflow at the corridor. The well-dressed guests from all walks of life were very relaxed as if they were home, while a few literary icons in their midst were making independent wishes for their favourite writers to come top at that night’s award. But the common denominator is that all came to appreciate and celebrate literary excellence in our clime where reading culture is in decline.
Yet, the writers nominated for the 2014 Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature in drama genre, the reason for the gathering, were more anxious on their seats. From Akin Bello, Othuke Ominibohs and Toyin Abiodun, the three writers vying for supremacy with their works in the fifth edition of the biennial award sponsored by Globacom, were itching to hear their names announced as winner.
Of course, emerging the best three of the total of 163 works submitted from across Africa for the awards is enough to celebrate for the two that will eventually not win the grand prize of the award.
But they have to wait because the night, according to the host of the event, was still young.
“The panel of judges is finding it difficult in considering the winner from Toyin Abiodun’s‘The Trials of Afonja’, Othuke Ominibohs’ ‘Odufa’ and Akin Bello’s‘Egbon of Lagos’”, the host hilariously remarked.
After a good evening of wining and dining for the guests, and what seems an endless wait for the writers and their families, Olu Obafemi, a professor and one of the judges of the Prize, climbed the podium and formally announced the winner.
“And the winner of Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature is Akin Bello”, the professor said after a moment of hesitation.
The hall was in joyful mood, as Akin Bello, the winner, his family and friends went about singing praise of Wole Soyinka, Lumina Foundation, the organiser of the award, and Globacom, the sponsor of the award.
Moments later, Wole Soynika, assisted by members of the panel of judges and chairman of the occasion, presented the much coveted trophy and a cheque of $20,000 to the winner.
Trusting the judgment of the panel of judges, Wole Soyinka, the Nobel Laureate, said Akin Bello’s feat was well deserved. He further appreciated the organsers and sponsors who for the past five editions sought for excellence and quality in the awards, and have also made this edition special with the celebration of his 80th birthday alongside the awards.
Of course, the Nobel Laureate decried the state of the nation saying government, the security agencies and the public are not doing enough to salvage the country from the raging tide of insecurity.
However, the 64 years old Akin Bello, a former chairman of Oyo State chapter of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), was full of thanks to the Lumina Foundation for decorating him with a well-deserved award.
Educated at Oyo, Ghana and Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, where he obtained a B.Sc. (Hons) (Pol. Science) in the 2nd Class (Upper) Division in 1975, Bello is a widely traveled man with a richly diversified work experience.
Before now, Bello had published three novels and a poetry collection. His first play, ‘Egbon of Lagos’ has now won him recognition and fame at the Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature in Africa.
In a goodwill message read on his behalf, Mike Adenuga, chairman, Globacom, said that “Globacom is delighted to be part of the successful execution of the project, which honours one of the world’s biggest literary giants, Professor Wole Soyinka and seeks to promote excellence in the literary arts on the continent of Africa.”
Adenuga said, “As a teacher, role model, social activist and advocate, Professor Wole Soyinka has directly impacted millions of lives on the continent of Africa and beyond. We are deeply honoured to be part of a project like this, which celebrates this living legend and seek to encourage the coming generation to aspire to attain excellence in the literary world.
Francesca Emmanuel, the chairperson of the Board of Trustees of Lumina Foundation, equally thanked all the partners of the organisation, without whose support the project might not have been a huge success that it has been.
The grand finale of the prize was graced by other literary icons, including renowned playwright and poet, John Pepper Clark, a former President of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), and loyal protégé of Professor Soyinka, Odia Ofeimun, renowned Professor of International Law and Jurisprudence, Akin Oyebode, who delivered the keynote address, and many other distinguished scholars.
Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature in Africa is a biennial event staged to recognise the best literary work produced by an African. It was established by the Lumina Foundation in 2005 to promote literary excellence in Africa and has since become the African equivalent of the Nobel Prize. This year’s prize was dedicated to the drama genre.
The panel of five judges for the prize is drawn from Uganda, South Africa, Mali, Nigeria and Algeria.
Obinna Emelike
