By Dipo Olowookere
A new opportunity has been opened for Nigerians, who have interest in writing and they would be rewarded for it wish cash and recognition.
The Embassy of Ireland in Nigeria has organised an essay competition tagged the #PeaceWriteNow Writing Contest.
Interested candidates have been asked to write an essay on the broad theme ‘Fostering Sustainable Peace and Dialogue in Nigeria.’
Entrants are invited to focus on the role that they can play to foster sustainable peace. Areas of interest could be youth empowerment and discussion of a Good Friday Agreement signed in May 1998.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, which was ratified in both Ireland and Northern Ireland in May 1998 and has played a very significant role in creating peace on the island of Ireland since that time.
This year, the Embassy of Ireland in Nigeria undertook the #Road2Peace programme in collaboration with Likeminds.
This involved travelling to six institutions of higher learning to speak about the Northern Ireland Peace Process and discuss current challenges in Nigeria.
According to a statement issued by the Embassy this week, “We listened to many young Nigerians who shared their thoughts, ideas and hopes for sustainable peace and dialogue and asked what they could do.”
The statement, speaking on the essay contest, said the deadline for entries is 5pm of Friday, April 20, 2018.
The first prize winner will receive €500 cash grant for books, while the second prize winner will smile home with €250 cash grant for books.
The third prize will get €100 cash grant for books, fourth to receive a book on peace building signed by the Ambassador and a certificate of appreciation; and the fifth best contestant would be given a certificate of appreciation.
The Embassy said it would host an event in early May where selected participants will be invited to read from their essays.
Modupe Gbadeyanka