By Adedapo Adesanya
Using the platform of the 9mobile Prize for Literature, Emerging Markets Telecommunication Services Limited (EMTS) has reinstated its unwavering assurance to the promotion and development of talents and fulfilling it commitment to the finalist of the literary prize.
This was according to a statement signed by Layi Onafowokan, Acting Director, Marketing, 9mobile Nigeria, which reiterated the telecommunications service’s commitment to redeeming the 2018 9mobile Prize for Literature.
The last edition of the literary prize, which debuted in 2013, shortlisted Nigeria’s duo of Lesley Nneka Arimah and Ayobami Adebayo nominated for their works What it Means When a Man Falls Down from the Sky and Stay with Me respectively and Asylum by Marcus Low from South Africa with the winner to be announced soon.
The Executive Management of 9mobile used the statement to express its gratitude to the eminent scholars that served in various capacities as Patrons and Judges of the 9mobile Prize for Literature initiative for their excellent service over the years since the debut of this flagship literary Prize in 2013.
The 9mobile Prize for Literature is regarded as the first pan-African literary Prize that celebrates African first-time writers of published fiction. It is open solely to writers from African countries, resident anywhere in the world.
Zimbabwe’s NoViolet Bulawayo won the inaugural edition of the prize in 2014 with her book, We Need New Names, while South African novelist Songeziwe Mahlangu won with Penumbra in 2015. Fiston Mwanza Mujila from the Democratic Republic of Congo won in 2016 with Tram 83, and in 2017 Nigeria’s Jowhor Ile won for his first book And After Many Days.
Modupe Gbadeyanka