Three Poems by Nigerian Poet, Daniel Ezeokeke
How does one turn pain into lines that feel like balm? This question is one, most young Nigerian writers have been trying to answer in the past few days. The times are difficult and especially so for creatives who are unable to gather their thoughts….
Booty of War, A Poem By Winifred Kijie Odu
In “Booty of War”, Winifred Kijie Odu’s lines sit crisply in the verses of the poem with such precision that makes it admirable. Each line, carefully woven with the yarns of poetic devices, drips with nostalgia and a longing for the day when hope will…
Hush: A Short Story By Nweke Ozioma Ruth
In “Hush”, Nweke Ozioma Ruth tells a story that is both moving and relatable. The story examines lack, and poverty, how those two can deflate a man’s ego and put love in a really tight corner. Nweke’s story is simple and melancholic but it is…
The Moon That Never Beamed By Nigerian Poet Ókólí Stephen Nonso
We know that everyone processes grief in a different way, Ókólí Stephen Nonso is not an exception. In his poem, “The Moon That Never Beamed”, he writes about the death of a loved one, the vacuum which time does not effectively fill, and the residue…
African Tale of Freedom, A Story By Omoniyi Wasiu Abiodun
We always look forward to a storytelling style that holds great potential for telling original African stories the way it is, without leaving out hope from its ingredients. We found this in Omoniyi Wasiu Abiodun’s “African Tale of Freedom”. In his story, he takes the…
Why ‘Eight Letters to a Young Writer’ By Teju Cole is a Must-Read
Writing a book is how a writer gifts part of him/herself to the world. Teju Cole, in his book, Eight Letters to a Young Writer gave such a beautiful gift to anyone looking to write well. When I read this book, I came to love…
Five Tips on How to Write a Winning Entry for NSPP 2020
About two weeks ago, Poets in Nigeria (PIN) opened submissions for the 2020 Nigerian Students Poetry Prize (NSPP). And the Prize is worth N500,000.00 this year! That’s some good money, and indeed a great reward for undergraduates who write poetry. If you are a Nigerian…
Chukwuemeka Ike Reunites with our Ancestors: Are the Veterans Leaving African Literature in Good Hands?
We do not mourn men like Chukwuemeka Ike because they do not actually leave us. We know that their journeys to the land of the spirits did not begin on the day they hosted death. So when we scoop a handful of tributes, we do…
Celebrating the year in essays: Nigerian Essays of the Year (2019)
Written By: Carl Terver What counts as Nigerian essays of the year? Should their quality measure up to Okey Ndibe’s “My Father’s English Friend,” Ikhide Ikheola’s “The Oga at the Top in us” and Oris Aigbokhaevbolo’s “Whose Radio Is It Anyway?” Or better still, the…
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