How Abuja celebrated World Poetry Day

Wednesday March 21st was the World Poetry Day and poets and poetry lovers in Abuja made sure to celebrate the event in a special way. There were at least two events to mark the day, one was an award ceremony for the Korea/Nigeria Poetry Fest. And the other was the World Poetry Day 2018 event […]

Wednesday March 21st was the World Poetry Day and poets and poetry lovers in Abuja made sure to celebrate the event in a special way.

There were at least two events to mark the day, one was an award ceremony for the Korea/Nigeria Poetry Fest. And the other was the World Poetry Day 2018 event which held at Zeus Paradise, Jabi and featured big name poets from Abuja and beyond.

The 8th Nigeria/Korea Poetry Prize, which took place at the Korea Cultural Centre Nigeria, started off earlier in the day with the Director of the Centre, Mr Han Sungrae, represented by his Programmes Director, Ms Jee Meeyoun, pledged the centre’s continued support for the programme, which they have been doing for the last eight years.

The centres’s commitment was lauded by the FCT Department of Arts and Culture, whose Director Alhaji Ladi Hassan, represented by Mr. Tony Shittu, said the centre’s input in the programme was inspiring and his department would be happy to collaborate in the future to ensure successful cultural events in the capital.

In the spirit of the day, he read a poem as his contribution to the World Poetry Day.

The event drew heavy weight poets in the city, such as current NLNG Prize winner, Ikeogu Oke, who read from his award winning book, as well as others.

While observing a drop in the quality of entries this year, the chair of judges, Chukwuemeka Jovita suggested the publication of the winning poems from this year in an anthology.

Her views were echoed by Izuchukwu Okeke, one of the judges for the adult category, who also expressed concerns about the drop in quality of the entries.

Sweeping into the winning position was Anyanwu Roseben CN with his entry Roma while Oko Owoicho and Ridwan Adeleja completed the podium places, both carrying off certificates and cash prizes for their efforts.

In the school category, Ameerah Adunola Garba of GGSS Dutse raced into first place with her poem Pathway, followed by Praise Acha of African Child College and Nwuli Chinaza Gift of GSS Kubwa. 

Numerous consolation prizes were dished out.

According to the convener of the prize, Jerry Adesewo of Arojah Concepts, the prize has been going on for eight years because of the importance of poetry and the support of the KCCN. He said poetry has been one of the oldest art forms in the history of human development and nurturing the art in children is a priority for his organisation.

That event, concluded with the screening of a movie by the KCCN.

But across the city, as one event ended, another began. The World Poetry Day, event organised by the Splendor of Dawn Poetry Foundation

Country coordinator for the foundation Odoh Diego Okenyedo welcomed guests to the evening, harping on the importance of poetry and the commemoration of the UNICEF-designated day.

Spleandor of Dawn drew the poetic flavours of the evening from Botswana poet Mmakgosi Ophadile Anita, who read via skype.

In the house were notable poets like Andie Otuogbodor, RC Ofodile Storyteller, Ikoeggu Oke and Hybrid. Themes of love, grief from the violence ravaging the country and more were tackled by the poets in an evening of wonderful performance poetry. 

The event was compered by none other than Ben Ubiri, poet, writer, and radio personality.