The winners of the Sevhage Literary Prizes 2023 were announced on Wednesday, January 3, 2023.
The Sevhage Literary and Development Initiative aimed at promoting literature, reading, and other development initiatives was founded in Nigeria by S. Su’eddie Vershima Agema in 2013. Sevhage is a publisher of dozens of titles many of which have won or been nominated for numerous literary prizes. In 2015, they organised the Sevhage Literary Festival which hosted many writers in Makurdi, Nigeria.
In 2023, they announced the Sevhage Literary Prizes which had the theme “Unleashing African Creativity.” The prizes were in the categories of the E. E. Sule/Sevhage Prize for African Literary Criticism, Sevhage-Leticia Mbaiver Nyitse Prize for Short Fiction, Sevhage/Maria Ajima Prize for Creative Non-Fiction, and Sevhage-KSR Hyginus Ekwuazi Prize for Poetry. The jury for the prize was chaired by Professor Hyginus Ekwuazi alongside Dr Tayol Raphael, Romeo Oriogun, S. Su’eddie Vershima Agema, Deborah Oluniran, Carl Terver, Oko Owoicho, and Blessing Omeiza.
The longlist for the award was revealed on October 26 and the shortlist was made public on December 20. The winners of the awards announced on Wednesday are;
The E. E. Sule/Sevhage Prize for African Literary Criticism (N100,000)
- A Principle for the New Nigerian Poetry, Arasi Kamolideen Oluwapelumi
The jury said; “Yes! The stunning attribute of this article is the fact that it redirects reason to the rising trend of decoloniality that professes, in peculiarity, the sacredness of literary freshness and ownership of the new Nigerian literature. That said, the entries were critical and show the vastness of scholarship available in the African cannon.”
Sevhage-Leticia Mbaiver Nyitse Prize for Short Fiction (Joint winners) (N61,700 split in two)
- The Girl Whose Family Drowned in Her Name, Amanda Ilozumba
- On Most Saturdays, It Doesn’t Rain, Ola W. Halim
Sevhage/Maria Ajima Prize for Creative Non-Fiction (N61,700)
- Grief: Its Invisible Gerund, Abasi-maenyin Esebre
The judges said, “Abasi-maenyin Esebre’s beautiful, brilliant, and heartfelt piece stood out from the other entries. It shows the markings of a fine craftsperson. The other selected entries are chosen for their variety, sensitivity, and exploration of the human spirit. Well done to everyone on the list and all who submitted.”
Sevhage-KSR Hyginus Ekwuazi Poetry Prize (N61,700)
- Glossolalia, Sodiq Oyekanmi
The judges said, “After careful consideration of all entries, we’re thrilled to declare Sodiq Oyekanmi as the winner with his incredible poem, ‘glossolalia‘. This category posed a tough competition, making the selection of a final winner challenging. Every nominated poet showcased incredible talent and class. Heartfelt congratulations to all who made the lists and even those who submitted.”
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