WITH his collection of poems, Nomad, has been awarded the 2022 Nigeria Prize for Literature. He was chosen by the jury of three from the three finalists, which also included his friend and comrades: Su’eddie Vershima Agema (Memory and the Call of Water) and Saddiq Dzukogi (Your Crib, My Qibla)
At a colourful Award Gala Nite held at the Banquet Hall of Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, last night, Friday, October 14, Oriogun, who is based in the United States, beamed large and towering on the screen, as he was declared the winner.
The literary prize, the most prestigious in Africa is worth $100,000.
Chair of the Prize Advisory Board, Professor. Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, flanked by her two other members, Professors Ahmed Yerima and Olu Obafemi, said praised ORiogun’s Nomad for its deployment of fresh language and “nostalgic engagement with the themes of exile and displacement.”
Oriogun, in his held his head for minutes and appeared emotive as he was announced at the event, which was graced by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who gave the keynote at the ceremony. The ceremony also gave prizes out to winners in the NLNG Science, and Literary Criticisms competitions.
Announcing the winner, Professor. Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, the Chair of the Advisory board said Nomad has a fresh language and a nostalgic engagement with the themes of exile and displacement.
Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, who gave the keynote address presented the award to Oriogun’s representative on his behalf.
The $100,000 worth Nigeria Prize for Literature rotates yearly amongst four literary categories: prose fiction, poetry, drama, and children’s literature.
Oriogun is the author of Sacrament of Bodies and three chap books. He won the 2017 Brunei University African Poetry Prize and was a finalist for the 2020 Lambda Literary Award for Gay Poetry and the Future Awards African Prize for Literature.
