The African Secretariat of the International Human Rights Art Movement (IHRAM) has unveiled the longlist for its African Human Rights Poetry Competition.
A total of 58 entries have been selected for the longlist following the conclusion of the competition’s first phase, which recorded an overwhelming response from poets and human rights advocates across the world.
According to the Coordinator of the African Human Rights Poetry Competition, Mr. Wole Adedoyin, the competition received a remarkable total of 350 entries from 25 countries, showcasing “the diverse, vibrant, and courageous voices engaging with critical human rights themes through poetry.”
He said: “This wide-ranging participation reflects the global relevance of human rights issues and the enduring power of poetry to address them.”
Entries were received from Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Zambia, Côte d’Ivoire, Thailand, India, South Africa, Uganda, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Mauritius, Liberia, Burkina Faso, Rwanda, Canada, Jamaica, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, USA, Egypt, Botswana, Malawi, Madagascar, Tunisia, and Cameroon.
According to Adedoyin, the impressive spread highlights the universal concern for human rights and the collective desire to use poetry as a vehicle for change.
The African Human Rights Poetry Competition was established to amplify the voices of poets who are advocating for justice, equality, and human dignity.
Through their creative works, these poets explore pressing issues such as political oppression, gender inequality, child rights, freedom of speech, and other human rights challenges that continue to affect people globally.
Adedoyin said the unveiling of the longlist marks a major milestone in the competition’s journey.
“The 58 selected poets represent some of the most powerful, insightful, and thought-provoking entries that the competition received.
“Their works reflect a blend of personal experience, social commentary, and bold imagination, all aligned with the competition’s mission to spotlight human rights through the arts.”
Adedoyin expressed his appreciation to all participants for their commitment to using poetry as a tool for social justice, saying, “These poets have given voice to the voiceless and hope to the hopeless through their words.
“They have demonstrated how poetry can challenge oppression and ignite conversations that lead to positive change.
“IHRAM remains steadfast in its belief that the arts play a vital role in human rights advocacy.
“Through this competition, the organisation continues to build bridges between artists, activists, and audiences, using creative expression to foster awareness and inspire action against injustices.
“In the next phase of the competition, the longlisted poems will be reviewed by a distinguished panel of judges who will select the final winners.
“An anthology of the longlisted works is also being planned, ensuring that these powerful voices will be preserved and shared widely as a testament to the ongoing fight for human rights.
“The African Human Rights Poetry Competition has proven to be a significant platform for emerging and established poets alike, providing them with the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to global conversations on justice, equality, and freedom.
“Through initiatives like this, IHRAM reaffirms its dedication to harnessing the power of art for social impact, encouraging creative individuals to continue using their voices to advocate for a fairer, more humane world.”
Below are the names of the longlisted poets
1. AFRICA, RISE WITH LIGHT: Awountsa Tsafac Umel
2. HUMAN RIGHTS POETRY: Adebara Abibat Itunuoluwa
3. TWO FACES OF JUSTICE: Luper Paul Iorkongoso
4. AFRICA AND AFFAIRS OF INJUSTICE: Noah Ebije
5. RIGHTS SHOULDN’T HAVE TO KNOCK: Paul Olayimika
6. I HAVE A DREAM: Alimikhena Oshiole Grace
7. SILENCE NEVER EVEN SAVED US: Natalie Alinda Kagaba
8. REQUIEM FOR MY COUNTRY: Daniel Echezona
9. WE ARE NOT SILENT: Joyce Elsie Amoshaire Dixon
10. RECLAMATION: Evans Divine
11. A SULLEN SUNLESS SKY: Nicole Chingosha
12. WE, THE UPLIFTED ASHES: Jean-Marc AZI
13. WHAT IF?: Tracy Jamgbad
14. ECHOES OF A CHAINED NATION: Faith Kamanga
15. THE LION SPEAKS: AN AFRICAN ASSERTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS: Meme David
16. I AM JUST A YOUNG GIRL: Faith Nkuna
17. WHEN FREEDOM WEARS CHAINS: Fatokun Ibukun Paul
18. JUSTICE UNSEEN: Onyema Gift
19. OPPRESSION: Wangari Margaret Wanjiru
20. POEM: LET RIGHTS RISE: Yves MUGISHA
21. CRIES OF THE NATION: Oguguom Chidiebere
22. THE SILENCE THAT SCREAMS: Moseka Ntiyia
23. BALLAD OF A BORROWED NATION: Adjekawen Jeremiah Agberia
24. VIOLATED FOR LIFE: Oladele Babajamu
25. CHANGING THE NARRATIVE: Favour Udofot John
26. VOICES OF OUR TOMORROW: Kobe D. Wleh
27. THE PIXEL VOODOO CIRCUIT BOARD: Sarah Lubala
28. DO YOU EVER REALLY THINK?: Amos Yaubeta Sunday
29. BEAT ME NO UNEQUAL STICKS: Segun Alexandra Adeniyi
30. WHEN THE ELEPHANT SITS ON THE CHICKEN: Ebhohon Majekodunmi Oseriemen
31. IMAGINE A SOCIETY OF LAWLESSNESS: Chioma Praise Udechineke
32. ECHOES OF LIBERTY: Inneh Ifueko
33. ECHOES OF HUMANITY: Iornumbe Charles
34. HUMAN RIGHTS IN AFRICA: Oluwatamilore Oluwadarasimi Agunbiade
35. ON HUMAN RIGHTS: Comfort Nyarko
36. CLIPPED WINGS: Wahab Raimot Abike
37. IN EVERY HEART: Abdulrasheed Yakubu Ladan
38. SAY MY NAME: Ogwa Vivian Onyedibia
39. PATHWAYS TO PEACE: Moronike Bello-Olusanya
40. COLOUR BLINDNESS: Dennis Othuechere Ogu
41. STRIVING STRENGTH: Abdulmumeen Humulkhair Olamipo
42. UNSHACKLED VOICES EGBA: Samuel Patrick
43. THE GAP: Matthew Edeh
44. WHEN THE CHAINS BREAK, WILL WE RUN? Anselm Eme
45. AFRICAN WHISPERS: Daksha Sivaraj Sajjan
46. THE RIGHT TO BE: Oladejo Rachel
47. THE INNOCENT: Olanrewaju Sheriff
48. THE BLACKMANS SAGA: Chukwuajah Emmanuel
49. WAITING FOR THE ANGELS: Muhammad Hassan
50. BEFORE: Khairat Abdulrazaq
51. JUSTICE: Tanimu Abdulahi
52. BENEATH THE UNIVERSE: Doreen Mwenda
53. COME, I SWEAR WE’LL LAUGH SO HARD AGAIN AND RUN ALONG ALL RIVERS: Aishat Yahkub
54. I AM HUMAN TOO: Chioma Muogbo
55. MY DREAM, MY IDENTITY: Musa Abdulshakur Abdulkadiri
56. AFRICA’S CLARION CALL: Ogooluwa Divine Ayanfeoluwa
57. VOICES UNHEARD: Matshidiso Rachel Hlungwani
58. THE AFRICAN CRY: Zachariah Princess Gogote
