PositiveNaija

13-year-old Jimoh Khairat Onize has emerged as the second runner up of the British Council Writing Competition.

Jimoh Khairat attends Dependable International School, Niger State. Her story titled “Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress” was judged to be the third best among the numerous entries received worldwide in the 11-14 years old category of the Commonwealth Class Children’s Short Story Writing Competition.

The other top entries of the British Council Writing Competition are:

• First place: Christmas Wish by Ren-Wei Yip, Malaysia
• Second place: Peace by Elena Gourley, Northern Ireland UK

An additional story in this category was awarded ”highly commended” by the judging panel.

According to the comments of the Judges as regards to Jimoh Khairat’s story:

“This is a tragic story about war, but with a hopeful ending. It contains an important message about young peoples’ voices being heard, and moments of detail create a strong sense of place and atmosphere.”

Excerpts from Jimoh Khairat’s story:

{Justice is blind.

The scourge of poverty has taken away the days of bumper harvest, days when I had surplus to eat. My stomach rumbles like rocks rolling down a volcano about to erupt: the repulsive smell from smouldering corpses for breakfast, wild fruits for lunch and putrid trash scavenged for dinner. The poison arrows of separation, parents from children. Poor orphans like me seek protection in the rainforest of southern Nigeria as the only dwelling place. The ruckus from nearby villages gives me no certitude of life for the morrow. This forced escapade only brings unrestricted imaginations of the future: a united and peaceful Nigeria.

…

The day came when I saw my best friend, Ella, lying down lifeless under a banana tree, bereft, I risked all I had left – my life. I waded through the mud barefooted, towards the direction of the non indulgent militants; the sound from marching boots led the way. A hefty grip held me and I was blindfolded, presented to their leader – a man at the brink of old age – whom I saw after the blindfold was removed… “I’d die anyway, although it’s worse than not trying”, I’d thought, so I began to speak, “Enough blood has been shed already, Nigeria is ours and we cannot disintegrate her, dialogue is paramount to ensuring a realistic victory for our cause, until you realise, united we stand, divided we fall, until then, peace or annihilation.” To my greatest surprise he believed me! Surrendering but not defeated, the southern activists decided to annul the idea of disintegration.

As I stand before a crowd united at heart, having done for my country, something heroic. Peace henceforth even forever.}

Roseben Anyanwu has emerged winner of the 8th Korea-Nigeria Poetry Feast, with a winning cash prize of ₦100,000.

Roseben Anyanwu’s poem: “Roma” topped the list for the adult category at the event organised by the Korean Cultural Centre in Nigeria to mark the World Poetry Day on March 21, 2018.

Also, Oko Owoicho’s poem “We will sing water” came second with a total prize money of ₦75,000 while the third (cash) prize of ₦50,000 went to Rilwan Adelaja for his poem “The Cyclist”.

Seven other poets from the category got the sum of ₦25,000 each as consolation prizes.

Similarly, from the Junior category including secondary schools, Ameerah Adunola from Government Secondary school, Dutse, emerged overall winner for her poem, “Path Way” and was awarded ₦50,000.

Praise Acha, from African Child College Abuja emerged first runner up with her poem “The Path” was given ₦30,000. Gift Ngwuli clinched the second runner up position with her poem “Lyrics of Old” and got ₦20,000.

Seven other students got ₦10,000 each as consolation prizes at the 8th Korea-Nigeria Poetry Feast.

Han Sungrae, Director of the KCCN, said for eight years in a row, the centre has offered Nigerians the platform to express themselves and show their talent using poetry.

Sungrae, who was represented by Jee Meeyoun, a Cultural Assistant at the centre, said that the 2018 response to the call for entry into the poetry competition was positive.

In his words:

“This year, we received a record submission in the adult category with 505 poems; from the secondary school category, we got 78 poems from seven schools in the Federal Capital Territory.

The best 10 poems from each category have been carefully selected by independent judges for the awards.

We thank all poets that have sent in entries especially those whose poems were not selected, we implore you not to relent in your quest to excel.”

Alhaji Oladimeji Hassan, Secretary of FCT Social Development Secretariat in his keynote address, said:

“I have no doubt that this poetic exercises is not only intended to be enjoyed but also to spur the creative ingenuity among writers that will produce powerful poets that will build the future of this nation.

I will continue to encourage and support these creative minds in which lies the root of our collective growth and development as a nation.”