By Collins Yakubu-Hammer
The TY Buratai Literary Initiative (TYBLI) has awarded N2.5m to the winners of the 2024 Young Adult Literature competition.
The event which took place at the Tukur Buratai Research Centre in Gora, Abuja-Keffi Express-Way attracted dignitaries from the military, literary and Art sectors of the country.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that while six zonal winners got the sum of N250,000 each, the overall winner, Olatunbosun got N1m.
In his remarks, the Chairman of TYBLI, retired Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, said the Initiative was born out of his passion for literature, recalling when he was a member of drama, debate and literacy clubs in school.
“I have so many poems then; those were interesting parts as we were growing as young men. You may not necessarily focus your thoughts in terms of love feelings, but also on nature.
“And I try to cultivate that, and always read and write so much thought, and it is very important in developing one’s knowledge. It will enhance your own vision and ability to communicate.
“That’s one of the importance of this literary writing competition. I feel that leaders must express themselves, and for you to express yourself very well, you must write.
“And if you don’t write, whatever you have in your mind, you may tend to forget. But once you document it, you open it to individuals, and it will be beneficial to society,” Buratai said.
Earlier in her address of welcome, the Chairperson of TYBLI, Dr Lizi Ben-Iheanacho, said the Initiative, which is over one year old, has a library book project for secondary schools in Abuja and Mararaba in Nasarawa State.
Ben-Iheanacho called for support and partnership to sustain and expand the project to other schools in other parts of the country.
She said the initiative received a total of 50 entries from Nigeria and one from Kenya, adding that some were rejected due to non compliance to the rules.
“We then got 45 entries that competed, 25 from the males and 20 from the females. And now we have six zonal winners in which one will emerge the overall winner.
The Secretary of TYBLI, Mr Jerry Adesewo also called on stakeholders to collaborate and support the Initiative to expand its scope of activities.
The Chief Executive Officer of Adams Page Bookstore, Hajiya Hauwa Aliyu encouraged the participants and winners of the competition to keep writing and lighting the path of literature.
The NAN reports that zonal winners and their work include: Sima Essien “Dreamwalker” from South-South, Hajarah Bashar “Portraiture of a Dreamer” from North-Central, and Yohanna Daniel “The Northern Boy” from North-East.
Others are Michael Igbonekwu “Mysteries of the Haunted House” from South-East, Bilqisa Abubakar “The Last Sacrifice” from North-West, and Toafeek Olatunbosun “Truth and Dare” from South-West”. (NAN)
