Associate dean of humanities at the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) Obari Gomba has won the NLNG’s Nigeria Prize for Literature 2023.
The poet and playwright, who teaches literature and creative writing at UNIPORT, won with his drama book, Grit.
Mr Gomba was named winner on Friday at Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos.
He emerged from 145 entries, 11 longlist and later three shortlist, beating two other playwrights — Abideen Ojomu (Ojuelegba Crossroads) and Henry Akubuiro (Yamtarawala – The Warrior King).
With his victory, which is coming after five attempts at the prize, Gomba takes home $100,000 grand prize.
In his acceptance speech he commended the NLNG for the prize platform, which he said has positively impacted Nigerian literature and creative industry at large, while commending other two contestants, who he described as winners too.
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The NLNG also announced Eyoh Etim, a lecturer at Akwa Ibom State University, as winner of Literary Criticism Prize. Eyoh takes home $10, 000 for his literary prowess at the contest.
Professor of medical engineering and technology at Imperial College London Hippolite Amadi won the 2023 Nigeria Prize for Science.
In his opening remarks at the ceremony, managing director/chief executive officer, Nigeria LNG Limited Philip Mshelbila noted that the 2023 prize ceremony holds on the theme ‘Redefination’, in line with the need to reevaluate our priorities, visions and to push for change that will make the world a better place for businesses and humans.
Speaking on the prizes, the NLNG boss noted that the authors have used the power of words to redefine values, institute change and call attention to things that need to be preserved in a fast changing world.
He commended all the writers for exhibiting a high level of literary ingenuity, while assuring on sustained support for the prizes.
