Etisalat Prize for Literature book tour excites Nairobi

ITRealms:

The Etisalat Prize for Literature held a series of public literary events in Nairobi, Kenyan capital throughout last week in promotion of African literature and celebration of the winner and shortlisted writers of the 2015 prize, reports ITRealms.

The literary programme featured a public panel discussion with the winner of the 2015 edition of the Etisalat Prize, Congolese Poet and Writer, Fiston Mwanza Mujila the author of Tram 83; as well as Etisalat Prize for Literature Shortlisted Writers, Penny Busetto author of The Story of Anna P, as Told by Herself and Rehana Rossouw author of What Will People Say?.

Also, the authors visited the University of Nairobi and Daystar University and had book reading sessions at Goethe-Institute Nairobi and PAWA254, in addition to donating books to the institutions during the tour.

Director, Brands and Experience, Etisalat Nigeria, Elvis Ogiemwanye said the programme is aimed at putting African literature in more hands across the world. He expressed the hope that the tour will help encourage more Africans to embrace African literature, adding that Africa is rich in literary talent.

ITRealms recalled that on June 1st, 2016, Etisalat invited entries to the 2016 edition of the Etisalat Prize for Literature.

Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Matthew Willsher, who made this disclosure, recently said the Judging Panel for the 2016 Etisalat Prize comprises Nigerian novelist and poet, Helon Habila, as the Chair of Judges, South African writer and activist Elinor Sisulu and Ivorian writer, Edwige-Renée Dro as members.

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Pix: (l-r)-- Manager, High Value Sponsorship & Events, Etisalat Nigeria, Opeyemi Lawal; Winner, 2015 Etisalat Prize for Literature, Fiston Mujila; Shortlisted Author, 2015 Etisalat Prize for Literature, Penny Busetto and Judge, 2015 Etisalat Prize for literature, Zikiswa Wanner at the Etisalat Prize for Literature Book Reading held in Nairobi, Kenya, at the weekend.

Etisalat doles out N4.61m prize for Literature

ITRealms:

This year’s winner of the prestigious Etisalat Prize for Literature will receive £15,000, about N4.61 million along with a high-end device and trip on an Etisalat-sponsored book tour in three major cities, ITRealms gathered.

ITRealms learnt this much when the Nigeria’s leading innovative telecommunications operator, Etisalat Nigeria announced the closing of entries for its 2015 Prize for Literature. The annual literary prize, which is in its third year, is the first ever pan-African prize that celebrates first time writers of published fiction and aims at discovering and promoting the teeming creative talents spread across the African continent.

The Head, Events and Sponsorship, Etisalat Nigeria, Modupe Thani, who spoke about the entries which opened on June 18 and closed on August 27, expressed satisfaction with the exercise and the growing cognizance of the prize among literary buffs, even as this year’s winner will also be awarded a fellowship at the prestigious University of East Anglia and mentored by Professor Giles Foden.

 ITRealms reports.

“Judging from the volume and quality of entries received this year, there is no doubt that Africa is blessed with talented and inspiring writers who are challenged to tell their stories and influence their world through literature. Lovers of literary works will be thrilled by the long list of books to be released in November, this year”, she said.

In just 6 years of operations, ITRealms reports, Etisalat Nigeria has become a major industry player with a growing subscriber base of over 22 million in a highly competitive market. Its portfolio of voice and data-centric products include – easy starter, easycliq, easybusiness, and easyblaze; all tailor-made to meet the needs of its customers.

Etisalat Nigeria is one of the 19 operations of the Etisalat Group that spans across Africa, Middle East and Asia serving over 182 million subscribers; and it is committed to delivering innovative and quality services to its growing subscribers. 

Cyriacus Nnaji/GEE

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