Olubunmi Familoni shines as he wins $100,000 Prize for Literature
Olubunmi-Familoni
Olubunmi Familoni shines as he wins $100,000 Prize for Literature
Olubunmi Familoni shines as he wins $100,000 Prize for Literature.
Olubunmi Oluranti Familoni, author of ‘The Road Does Not End’, has been announced as the winner of the 2024 Nigeria Prize for Literature, taking home the prestigious $100,000 award.
The Chairperson of the Advisory Board, Professor Akachi Ezeigbo, made the announcement during the Grand Award Night, held on Friday, 11 October 2024, at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
This year’s prize focused on children’s literature.
Familoni’s book triumphed over two other shortlisted works: A Father’s Pride by Ndidi Chiazor-Enenmo and Wish Maker by Uchechukwu Peter Umezurike.
The Road Does Not End, according to Ezeigbo, addresses the critical issue of child labour in society.
“The book explores themes of resilience and human connection, highlighting the importance of relationships and the need for continuous self-improvement,” she remarked.
The Advisory Board commended Familoni’s work for its language, technical craftsmanship, subject matter, and meticulous editing.
Explaining the criteria for selecting the winner, Ezeigbo noted that the Board and the panel of judges prioritised excellence, recognising the significant impact the prize has on young Nigerians.
In his acceptance speech, Familoni praised NLNG for establishing the annual Prize, which has elevated Nigerian literature and empowered many writers over the years.
This year’s panel of judges was chaired by Professor Saleh Abdu of the Federal University of Kashere, Gombe State, alongside Professor Vicky Sylvester and Dr Osarobu Igudia.
Earlier in the evening, the Advisory Board of the Nigeria Prize for Science 2024 announced Olajide Otitoju, Eni Oko, and Professor Meihong Wang as the winners, for their groundbreaking research on Process Intensification Technology.
A further highlight of the event was the presentation of posthumous awards by Philip Mshelbila, Managing Director/CEO of Nigeria LNG Limited, to the families of the late Professor Emeritus Umaru Shehu and the late Professor Ladipo Ayodeji Banjo, honouring them as scholars who, though no longer alive, continue to live on through the minds they nurtured.
