Kidjo, Evelle thrill at Etisalat awards

Three finalists made it to the last round of the competition – Nigeria’s Chinelo Okparanta and South Africa’s Songeziwe Mahlangu and Nadia Davids with Maglangu winning the prize money of N 4.4 million (£15,000) and various opportunities, along with the other finalists to showcase their books in the international market.Mahlangu, author of ‘Happiness,’ now joins […]

Three finalists made it to the last round of the competition – Nigeria’s Chinelo Okparanta and South Africa’s Songeziwe Mahlangu and Nadia Davids with Maglangu winning the prize money of N 4.4 million (£15,000) and various opportunities, along with the other finalists to showcase their books in the international market.
Mahlangu, author of ‘Happiness,’ now joins Zimbabwean, NoViolet Bulawayo, as the second winner of the annual pan-African prize that promotes the work of published first time authors.
Guests were also treated to pulsating re-enactments of the final books, ‘Penumbra,’ ‘Happiness like Water’ and ‘An Imperfect Blessing,’ by OC Ukeje, Bimbo Manuel, Bimbo Akintola, Debbie Ohiri, Tope Tedela, Odenike Odetola and Omozo Shomolu.
Other guests included Reze Bonna, Sam Onyemelukwe, Tolu Ogunlesi, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi, Bantu, Hauwa Mokan, and Kemi Lala.
The event, which featured some of Nigeria’s entertainment, literary and telecommunications giants like Kunle Afolayan, Darey Art Alade, Wole Soyinka, Kelechi Amadi-Obi, Nike Oshinowo and Mathew Willsher, chief executive officer of Etisalat among others, held at the Intercontinental Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos.
Kidjo brought the evening to a sizzling close when she gave breathtaking performances of her all time-hit songs, ‘Wobolombo,’ ‘Agolo,’ ‘Ever’ and ‘Mama Africa’ among other hits.