Education
Prophet Song by Irish Author Paul Lynch Wins 2023 Booker Prize
By Adedapo Adesanya
Irish author Paul Lynch won the 2023 Booker Prize for fiction for his novel Prophet Song, a dystopian work about an Ireland that descends into tyranny.
The 46-year-old beat five other shortlisted novelists to the prestigious award at a ceremony in London.
He becomes the fifth Irish writer to win the high-profile literary prize, which has propelled to fame countless household names, including past winners Salman Rushdie, Margaret Atwood and Hilary Mantel.
“This was not an easy book to write,” Mr Lynch said after collecting his award, which comes with £50,000 (around $63,000) and a huge boost to his profile.
“The rational part of me believed I was dooming my career by writing this novel. Though I had to write the book anyway. We do not have a choice in such matters,” he added.
Mr Lynch’s book is set in Dublin in a near future version of Ireland. It follows the struggles of a mother of four as she tries to save her family from totalitarianism, as detailed on https://my-passion.com/. There are no paragraph breaks in the novel.
Canadian novelist, Ms Esi Edugyan, who chaired the five-person judging panel, called the story “a triumph of emotional storytelling, bracing and brave”.
“With great vividness, Prophet Song captures the social and political anxieties of our current moment,” she said.
“Readers will find it soul-shattering and true, and will not soon forget its warnings.”
The Booker is open to works of fiction by writers of any nationality, written in English and published in the UK or Ireland between October 1, 2022, and September 30, 2023.
None of this year’s six finalists — which included two Americans, a Canadian, a Kenyan and another Irish author — had been shortlisted before and only one had previously been longlisted.
The shortlisted novels, announced in September, were chosen from a 13-strong longlist that had been whittled down from an initial 158 works.
Among them was Irish author Paul Murray’s “The Bee Sting”, a tragicomic saga which looks at the role of fate in the travails of one family. Mr Murray was previously longlisted in 2010.
Kenyan writer Chetna Maroo’s moving debut novel “Western Lane” about grief and sisterhood follows the story of a teenage girl for whom squash is life.
The judges also selected “If I Survive You” by US writer Jonathan Escoffery, which follows a Jamaican family and their chaotic new life in Miami.
He was joined by fellow American author, Paul Harding, whose “This Other Eden” — inspired by historical events — tells the story of Apple Island, an enclave off the US coast where society’s misfits flock and build a new home.
Canada was represented on the shortlist in the shape of “Study for Obedience” by Sarah Bernstein. The unsettling novel explores the themes of prejudice and guilt through a suspicious narrator.
The Booker was first awarded in 1969. Last year’s winner was Sri Lankan writer Shehan Karunatilaka for “The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida”.
This is the second year in a row that a novel about political conflict has won the prize. In 2022, Mr Karunatilaka’s The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida was set during the Sri Lankan civil war.
The previous Irish winners are Iris Murdoch, John Banville, Roddy Doyle and Anne Enright.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The monthly subvention to the Edo State University, Iyahmo, has been increased to N250 million from N100 million by the state governor, Mr Monday Okpebholo.
A statement issued on Monday by the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Governor, Mr Patrick Akhere Ebojele, said a grant of N2 billion has also been approved to improve infrastructure in the institution.
Speaking at the commissioning of an e-library and the flagging off of a fitness centre and a health facility in the school, Mr Okpebholo said the funding support is to strengthen the institution’s capacity and improve learning conditions.
“Today is a great day for Edo State University, Iyamho. Since assuming office, our administration has remained committed to repositioning the education sector in Edo State.
“The Ehi Aganmonmen Business Administration E-Library, the Peter Omoh Dunia Fitness Centre, and the Edo State University Health Centre are clear symbols of progress, partnership, and shared responsibility in advancing education and health in Edo State,” he said.
Governor Okpebholo further acknowledged the collective support from stakeholders, including a parent who volunteered to sponsor the architectural designs and the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adetimirin, who donated one month of his salary.
“If you, the vice chancellor, can donate your salary, why will the Edo state government not donate towards the university projects they are carrying out? On this note, the Edo State government will give you (the school) N2 billion,” he declared.
“I also understand that a parent has offered to sponsor the designs, and our amiable Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adetimirin, has donated his one-month salary to support the projects. These are not small things — these are sacrifices that speak louder than words,” he added.
On healthcare infrastructure, the Governor expressed support for the university’s plan to upgrade its medical facility.
“I commend the university for the new Health Centre to replace the existing sick bay. This is an important step toward providing better healthcare services to our university community. I assure you of our continued support as we work together to bring this vision to reality,” the Governor said.
He charged students of the institution to use the facilities well, and tasked the university management to “ensure proper maintenance and sustainability of these facilities.”
By Adedapo Adesanya
Forty-five student-led ventures emerged as beneficiaries of a total pool of N2.2 billion in grants at the 2026 Student Venture Capital Grant (S-VCG) Finalist Bootcamp.
The programme of the federal government marks a significant boost to youth innovation under its entrepreneurship drive, announced earlier this year.
At the bootcamp’s closing ceremony and awards presentation held at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) office in Ikoyi, Lagos, the winners emerged after a rigorous selection process involving 65 finalists and assessment by a 12-member expert panel.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Education, Mr Tunji Alausa, said the initiative underscores the government’s commitment to transforming tertiary institutions into centres of innovation, entrepreneurship and practical problem-solving.
He described the S-VCG programme as a key pillar of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at enabling students to convert ideas into viable businesses.
Mr Alausa noted that each beneficiary can access up to N50 million in equity-free funding, alongside mentorship, incubation support and digital tools.
He added that the programme attracted more than 30,000 applications from 404 tertiary institutions nationwide, reflecting the growing culture of innovation among Nigerian youth.
Also speaking, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Mr Bosun Tijani, commended participants for leveraging technology to develop solutions to real-world challenges.
He urged them to build scalable, tech-driven ventures capable of contributing to national development.
Also speaking, Minister of State for Education, Mrs Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, praised the finalists’ resilience and creativity, noting that initiatives like S-VCG are critical to nurturing problem-solving skills and fostering an entrepreneurial mindset among students.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Education and TETFund, Mr Muntari Dandutse, called for sustained investment in youth innovation to strengthen Nigeria’s knowledge-based economy.
On his part, the National Project Coordinator of the Special Programmes Operations and Implementation Unit, Mr Adebayo Onigbanjo, outlined the structure and long-term objectives of the programme, stating that it is designed to equip students with the resources and confidence needed to build sustainable ventures.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The University of Jos has suspended all examinations scheduled for Monday and Tuesday following growing tension in Jos, after a deadly attack in Anguwan Rukuba, Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The management of the institution also advised students and staff to remain indoors and stay vigilant.
According to reports, the attackers, who rode on motorcycles, stormed the community at about 7:30 pm while residents were going about their normal activities, firing indiscriminately and causing panic.
Many people were killed, while several others sustained injuries in the attack.
“The attackers just rode past and started shooting sporadically. People were running in different directions,” a source told Channels Television.
The broadcaster also reported that in the aftermath of the attack, angry youths reportedly blocked major roads within the community, raising fears of escalating tension.
UniJos, in a statement issued on Sunday by the Deputy Registrar, Information and Public Relations, Mr Emmanuel Madugu, said the incident had heightened tension, necessitating the decision.
“In view of the late evening fatal attacks by unknown gunmen on residents of Angwan Rukuba (an area that hosts many staff and students of the University), and the consequential tensions it has generated in and around the area and environs.
“The Vice Chancellor has directed that all examinations scheduled to hold on Monday, March 30, and Tuesday, March 31, 2026, are postponed, and will be rescheduled accordingly. That members of the University community be advised to be very vigilant and extra careful with their movements (On and off Campus) with IMMEDIATE EFFECT.
“For emphasis, members are strongly advised to AVOID COMING OUT VERY EARLY IN THE MORNING, and should REPORT IMMEDIATELY any sign or shadow of breach of the public peace to the University Security Division on 08035895323.
“University Management is actively liaising with the relevant Security agencies and monitoring the situation to ensure the safety of the lives of members of the University community. Further relevant updates will be communicated in due course,” the deputy registrar added.
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