A Fellow of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Dr Awelẹ Ilusanmi, has commended the organisers of the maiden Awelẹ’s Heart Short Story Peace Competition.
The competition was organised in her honour in recognition of her outstanding contributions to literature, learning, and intellectual development in Nigeria.
She expressed profound appreciation to the sponsor and organisers, FAMBI Group and Authors’ Hub, for their commitment and vision in successfully hosting the maiden edition of the competition.
“I wish to express my deep gratitude to the sponsor and organisers, FAMBI Group and the Authors’ Hub, whose support, discipline, and foresight ensured the success of this debut short story contest organised in my honour,” she said.
Ilusanmi, a recipient of several other honours, also congratulated the winner of the competition, Ikechukwu Celina Chinwenmeri, as well as all participants, saying, “I celebrate the 96 writers who produced remarkable stories at such short notice and ensured their submissions met the deadline.”
She further commended the chairperson and other members of the panel of judges, Dr Lizi Ben-Iheanacho, Dr Ola Ifatimehi, and Dr Ismail Bala, respectively, for their dedication and professionalism.
“I appreciate the time they devoted to reading so many entries during the busy Christmas and New Year period, as well as their careful evaluation and integrity, which uphold the credibility of this competition,” she said.
Ilusanmi urged writers to continue promoting a culture of reading and to positively impact lives through books.
The competition, held in December 2025, had its results announced on January 1, 2026, with a cash prize of N150,000 presented to the winner, while certificates were issued to shortlisted and longlisted participants.
Both Ilusanmi and the organisers have pledged to make the Awele’s Heart Short Story Peace Competition an annual event.
Meanwhile, the Coordinator of Authors’ Hub, Malam Sumaila Isah Umaisha, disclosed that the organisation would announce additional literary competitions in due course.
He also called on individuals interested in sponsoring competitions, either in honour of others or themselves, to reach out to the Authors’ Hub.
He said: “As we believe that literary competitions are vital to advancing our objective of developing writers and literature, Authors’ Hub is always willing to administer such initiatives.”
Umaisha further disclosed that selected entries from the competition would be compiled into an anthology.
