Two non-governmental organisations, SEVHAGE Literary and Development Initiative and the ALINEA Initiative, have endowed a writing prize known as the Eugenia Abu/SEVHAGE International Prize for Creative Nonfiction.
The two NGOs said in a press release in Makurdi, Benue State, that the prize, which they would fund and administer, was named in honour of the distinguished writer, broadcaster, and media consultant, Mrs Eugenia Abu.
The prize “aims to celebrate outstanding creative nonfiction from writers worldwide, highlighting voices that challenge, inspire, and/or provide deep insights into the human experience,” they said.
“It is also supported by an endowment from Dr Victor Oladokun, Senior Advisor to the President for Communication and Stakeholder Engagement, African Development Bank Group, and some anonymous patrons,” they added.
The two bodies also said the prize is a key component of the SEVHAGE Literary Prizes 2024, which includes categories for fiction and critical essays.
Professor Hyginus Ekwuazi, multiple award-winning multi-genre writer, scholar, Professor of Broadcast Media and former Vice-Chancellor of the Dominican University, Ibadan, will serve as the Chief Judge for this year’s prizes, ensuring the selection of the highest-quality entries.
Submissions for the Eugenia Abu/SEVHAGE International Prize for Creative Nonfiction are currently open and will close at 23:59 WAT on 29th August 2024.
The competition is open to writers globally and is free to enter.
The winner will receive a prize of ₦750,000 and have their work published, with additional opportunities for other shortlisted entries.
Furthermore, portions of their work will be featured in an exhibition in Nottingham, England, as part of the SEVHAGE Festival.
Detailed submission guidelines can be found on the SEVHAGE website at www.sevhage.com/prizes.
Executive Director and President of SEVHAGE, an award-winning writer, Su’ur Su’eddie Vershima Agema, was quoted as saying: “We are honoured to dedicate this year’s Creative Nonfiction Prize to Eugenia Abu, better known as one of Nigeria’s cherished broadcasters, an award-winning author and an outstanding mentor.
“Mrs. Abu holds a special place in many of our hearts. It was always a delight to watch her on TV and, for me personally, to learn from her guidance at different points.
“She is a once-in-a-lifetime figure, and we are blessed to have her in our lives. Inspired by her life, and rich legacy across fields, we are excited to celebrate nonfiction works that resonate with readers locally and globally.”
Eugenia Abu is one of Nigeria’s frontline broadcast journalists, winning several awards in the field, including the prestigious NMMA Best Newscaster of the year in 1995.
One of Nigeria’s most recognisable faces, she anchored the NTA flagship network news for 17 years and retired from active public service at the top of her career as Executive Director, Programmes, having served meritoriously for 34 years.
Abu is a visiting consultant at Bingham University and a council member of Veritas University.
She is a judge on the National Maltina Teachers Award and the OFAB Media Award.
Abu is also a member of the National Media Complaints Commission and a board member of the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development as well as Trust TV.
She has consulted for several national and international organisations, including UN Women, ILO, ECOWAS, NEDC and Trust TV among others.
A multimedia strategist, media consultant, columnist, and author, she is a much sought-after compere and high-level moderator and facilitator at home and abroad and was the compere at the inauguration of President Yar’Adua and President Jonathan.
She also compered the inaugural dinner of President Buhari.
Only recently, she anchored the 2023 presidential inauguration lecture and the presidential inaugural ball for President Tinubu.
She is the Managing Partner/CEO of The Eugenia Abu Media.
She is the author of two books, In the Blink of an Eye, a collection of essays which won the ANA/NDDC Flora Nwapa Prize for Best Women’s Writing, and Don’t Look at Me Like That, a poetry collection.
Abu wrote a weekly column for the Sunday Trust for a decade and has for over a decade written for BusinessDay.
In the press release, the two organisations said: “The SEVHAGE Literary Prizes are a series of annual literary and art awards organised by the SEVHAGE Literary and Development Initiative and SEVHAGE Publishers (a branch of SEVHAGE Integrated Services Ltd) in collaboration with various partners.
“They are open to African and other writers globally.
“Since their inception in their current form in 2019, the prizes aim to recognise and celebrate the outstanding contributions of African creatives across various categories, including poetry, prose, spoken word, drama, dance, and general writing.
“Submissions are annually reviewed by a distinguished panel of judges, including established writers, editors, and literary critics.
“The shortlist and final announcement of winners for the awards will be announced in the final quarter of 2024.
“For more information about the Eugenia Abu/SEVHAGE International Prize for Creative Nonfiction and to submit your entry, please visit www.sevhage.com/prizes.
“For more updates and information, follow @SEVHAGE on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram.”
